Which frozen treats are the healthiest to choose this summer?

What is the difference between ice cream and gelato?

Both ice cream and gelato are made with a combination of milk, cream, eggs, sweeteners and flavourings. However, different techniques are used to make the two treats, which is why they have different textures.

Ice cream is made by whipping the mixture with a lot of air. This is what makes ice cream light and fluffy.

Gelato, on the other hand, is mixed very slowly, limiting the amount of air and giving gelato a thick and dense texture. Another difference is that gelato is stored at a slightly higher freezer temperature than regular ice cream, which makes the gelato creamy and smooth.

Nutrition spotlight! Gelato usually has less fat than regular ice cream. This is because gelato is often made with less cream and eggs. Still, it is a high calorie treat so stick to a small portion (1/2 cup or 125 mL).

What is the difference between sorbet and sherbet?

Sorbet is made without any milk products. This makes it a good choice for people who need to avoid lactose. It is sometimes called “fruit ice” since it’s usually made with just fruit, water, juice and sugar blended together and frozen.

Sherbet is similar to sorbet but might also include some milk and/or eggs. It is made with less fat, which is what makes it different than ice cream. Sometimes sherbet is called “ice milk”.

What is frozen yogurt and is it good for you?

Frozen yogurt is just like ice cream (or gelato) but made with yogurt instead of cream. Because of this, it is lower in fat than regular ice cream. However, some frozen yogurts are made with a lot of sugar, so always read the label.

Keeping things light

Here are some tips to enjoy summer treats in moderation.

Choose sherbet or sorbet instead of ice cream or gelato. Made with fruit, water, a little bit of sugar and sometimes low-fat milk (for sherbet), they have less fat than ice cream. Try making your own Strawberry Banana Sorbet for a light dessert.

Make your own popsicles. Pour 100% fruit juice or a mixture of pureed fruit and water into an ice cube tray and add popsicle or lollipop sticks. After a few hours in the freezer, you’ll have a cool and refreshing treat. You can even make popsicles with yogurt as in these Blueberry Lemon Yogurt Popsicles.

The bottom line - Summer wouldn’t be summer without ice cream.  Enjoy ice cream and gelato in small portions once in awhile.  Reach for frozen treats like fruit ices, granitas and low fat frozen yogurt when you need something refreshing to cool you down.

Strawberry banana sorbet (Makes 4 servings)

Make this dessert right before serving for best results. The strawberries add fibre and the bananas are rich in potassium. This dessert also counts as one Canada's Food Guide serving of fruit.

Ingredients

* Make your own frozen fruit. Freeze fresh washed strawberries (remove stems) and peeled cut bananas in a single layer on a cookie sheet. When frozen, use for this recipe or store in a freezer bag for another use.

Directions

Nutritional information per serving
(3/4 cup  / 175 mL)

Developed by Nadine Day, RD. ©The Heart and Stroke Foundation

Blueberry lemon yogurt popsicles (Makes 6 servings)

Packed full of great tasting nutrition, this summer treat is sure to please kids – and parents.

Ingredients

Directions

Nutritional information per serving
(1/3 cup/75 mL)

Developed by Nadine Day, RD. ©The Heart and Stroke Foundation