Nothing tastes better than a scoop of cold ice cream on a hot summer day ‘” except maybe a gelato. If you haven’t tasted a gelato, you’re in for a sweet surprise. Gelato is the Italian interpretation of ice cream and its every bit as sweet and even a little creamier than ice cream. It’s sure to satisfy even the most discriminating sweet tooth. With all that lusciousness, what about the health aspects of this delicious treat? When it comes to frozen gelato vs. ice cream, which is healthier?
When it comes to gelato vs. ice cream, neither gelato nor ice cream can be classified as health foods with the exception of some sugar free, fat free ice creams that vary can widely in taste. Gelato has an advantage over ice cream when it comes to fat content. Frozen gelato is made using less butterfat than ice cream which gives it a slight health advantage. Whereas the typical ice cream has a fat content ranging from fourteen to twenty-five percent, gelato averages between five to nine percent butterfat, a significant difference. It’s hard to believe when you taste this sweet treat that it’s actually lower in fat than conventional ice cream. Ice cream is also made using cream whereas gelato is made with milk. You can even find soy milk versions in some natural food markets.
When it comes to gelato vs. ice cream, how can frozen gelato taste so creamy and still be lower in fat than ice cream? The reason gelato retains its rich, creamy taste with a lower fat content is because less air is added to the final product, in contrast to ice cream which often contains a great deal of added air. The result is that gelato has a very dense texture that gives it a decadent, creamy taste without all the fat.
What about calories when it comes to frozen gelato vs. ice cream? Which is lower? The average half-cup serving of gelato has between one-hundred-and-fifty and two hundred calories whereas full-fat ice cream usually starts at around two hundred calories and can go much higher depending on the ingredients. Although gelato has characteristically been made with large amounts of sugar which adds to the calorie count, you can now find versions made with artificial sweeteners such as Splenda for a significant calorie savings.
Gelato vs. ice cream ‘” which is healthier? Unless you’re going for a fat free ice cream, frozen gelato may be the better choice. You get all the rich, cream taste with less fat and calories. Once you taste it, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.
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