Does ice cream make you fat? How many calories and fat does it provide?

It can be a very appetizing dessert in the summer, but does ice cream make you fat? Know the calories it has according to the type of ice cream and how much fat it provides. A delicious, refreshing and very nutritious dessert.

When the good weather begins, because spring or summer arrives, many people want to have a good ice cream, although there are also many who wonder if ice cream makes you fat or not, especially if they follow a diet of thinning. Although it is true that the caloric content that it provides us can be high, it all depends on the type of ice cream that is going to be consumed.

And it does not happen only with its energy intake, but also with other compounds and nutrients such as saturated fat, or even its cholesterol content.

In any case, as many nutritionists say and in defense of ice creams (especially if you are passionate about them like us), we must say one thing very clear:  ice cream, especially milk ice cream, is a very nutritious dessert. Rich in calcium and good quality protein.

What is ice cream and what is its nutritional composition?

Ice cream is a wonderful dessert that, depending on the ingredients chosen for its preparation, can be considered in very different ways: cream ice cream, milk ice cream (milk-based), ice or sorbet type. Although it is true that, in its simplest way, it consists of a dessert that is made from whipped cream, water and sugar. It is also possible to use sweeteners and additives in order to add flavor.

It stands out for being a tremendously refreshing, creamy and exquisite product, which is usually consumed especially during the summer months, although it is true that we can find it – and enjoy it – practically all year round.

Although we already analyzed this topic in the article on Nutritional information for ice creams and popsicles, ice creams stand out for their nutritional contribution. But, as we mentioned, this depends directly on the type of ice cream that is going to be consumed.

Thus, cream and milk-based ice creams stand out for their contribution in proteins of high biological value (they contain, for example, lysine, and a very complete amino acid), vitamins such as vitamin B2, and minerals such as magnesium and calcium. In addition, fruit ice creams, popsicles and sorbets stand out for their vitamin content. And, as we will see, due to its low energy intake.

In fact, depending on its nutritional composition, ice creams can be grouped into:

• Ice creams prepared from whole or skimmed milk, cream or cream, and non-dairy animal or vegetable fat.
• Ice creams.
• Ice cream desserts and special ice creams, such as those made with non-caloric sweeteners or fructose, special for diabetics.

How many calories do ice creams provide? And how much fat?

That said, cream or cream ice creams usually contain between 200 and 250 calories per 100 grams. Although if we want to eat an ice cream without calories, the best option is to opt for ice creams, such as water ones, since they do not include fat in their composition.

We can also find light ice creams, which have hardly any fat and a series of non-caloric sweeteners, which therefore provide significantly fewer calories.

We can always allow ourselves to eat the odd ice cream, although if we are in the middle of a weight loss diet, the best option is to opt for ice creams, which even tend to be very good to mitigate the heat of spring and the summer.

Table of calories of ice cream and fat per 10 0 grams of product

So does ice cream make you fat?

Food is not fattening. What makes you fat, precisely, is the possible balance that may exist between the energy we ingest from food and that we spend, in addition to taking into account other elements such as hereditary and genetic factors.

If we take into account the nutritional composition that cream or milk ice creams provide us, there is no doubt that they become a nutritionally adequate option, as long as they are not consumed in excess or on a regular basis. That is, the key is to consume them moderately and on time.

This obviously does not mean that ice creams are ideal to replace fruits and other healthier desserts, not at all. Otherwise, contrary to popular belief, it is actually false that ice cream is fattening. Fattening just like a slice of bread or a banana. The key is, therefore, in the amount of calories we consume in the day and how many we consume.

That said, an ice cream can make a suitable dessert after a meal, rich in good quality protein, vitamin B2, calcium and magnesium. Of course, due to the high cholesterol content of cream ice creams, it is better to choose milk-based or water-based ice creams (made with fruits). This advice is also useful if we are concerned about our weight, and if, for example, we are following a certain weight loss diet.