How Many Calories are in Ice Cream

Ice cream is a dessert that brings a smile to almost everyone’s face. People of all ages love eating ice cream. This sugary treat comes in a seemingly endless variety of flavors. Though ice cream is a favorite dessert for many across the world, it contains a relatively high amount of calories that may not be healthy to eat on a daily basis. The calorie count in ice cream is the primary reason health conscious people consider ice cream a, “cheat meal.” The number of calories one scoop of ice cream has varies depending upon the flavor and brand of the ice cream you choose. For example, if you eat one scoop (roughly half a cup) of regular vanilla ice cream, you will consume approximately 140 calories. At the same time, a premium vanilla ice cream will contain around 210 calories.  

In this article, we will take you through the different calorie counts contained in the most common flavors of ice cream.  

Calories in Ice Creams

Keeping track of how many calories you consume is essential in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This is particularly true when the dish in question contains a large amount of fat or sugar. Eating too much sugar or consuming too many calories in a particular dish can have an adverse impact on your health. Creating a balance between the food you are consuming is vital. Ice cream is a delicious and fulfilling dessert. It is important to know how many calories ice cream contains so that you do not over-consume at the expense of your health. 

Below are some assorted flavors of ice cream and their associated calorie count according to the USDA. 

How Many Calories does a Half-Cup of Ice Cream Have?

According to the USDA, a half-cup of plain vanilla ice cream (roughly 65 to 92 grams) has approximately 137 to 140 calories. You will also consume roughly 7.3 grams of fat, 16 grams of carbohydrates, and 2.3 grams of protein per half-cup of plain vanilla ice cream.

Within the category of vanilla ice cream, there are other disparities as well.

The calorie count will differ between each flavor due to the ingredients used to prepare assorted flavors. Many flavors require more sugar than others to get the taste right. More sugar equals more calories. 

You must also remember that the calorie count will differ if you add toppings to your ice cream or opt for non-traditional flavors. For example, chocolate ice cream with brownie bits will contain a significantly higher calorie count than plain chocolate ice cream. This is simply down to the brownie bits being added to the chocolate ice cream. This also holds true when you add toppings such as sprinkles or hot fudge to your half-cup of ice cream. 

The calories will differ from brand to brand as well. Each ice cream brand (company) has its own recipe, measurements, and ingredient list, which will undoubtedly change the calorie level. 

Is One Ice Cream a Day Healthy?

Consuming one half-cup of ice cream on a daily basis may sound pretty good, but it certainly has its downfalls:

• Having ice cream every day will negatively impact your teeth. Ice creams contain high sugar levels, which can aid in tooth decay and create cavities.
• Ice cream does not offer many nutrients, outside of phosphorus and calcium.  Nutrient dense foods such as fruits and vegetables are much more beneficial to your body than calorie dense foods such as ice cream.
•  Consuming highly processed foods like ice cream every day can lead to weight gain. If you consume more calories per day than you burn through exercise, you will gain weight.
• Though some artificial ingredients and preservatives have been proven safe to consume, a few elements are still not safe when consuming them daily. Examples of this include Heliotropin, Diethyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, just to name a few. It is always important to read the labels of the ice cream you plan to eat.
• If you consume ice cream in the evening hours, it can reduce the amount of sleep you get. It is much more difficult to achieve full REM sleep when you consume low fiber and high sugar foods at night. 
• Ice creams can boost your mood, but food containing high sugar and fat levels can harm your brain. It can even exacerbate the symptoms of mood disorders. 

Things to Keep in Mind Before Eating Ice Cream

Instead of eating ice cream every day, try to consume it only on special occasions, or maybe even twice a week. Like everything in life, moderation is key here. While zero-fat or sugar-free ice cream sounds like a more nutritious option, they can contain artificial ingredients that can also negatively impact your health.

Read the label on the ice cream package and look at the calorie count. Pay close attention to the serving size as well. And if you are concerned about artificial ingredients, you can always opt for ice creams that are made from all natural ingredients. All natural ice cream brands include Häagen-Dazs Five, Van Leeuwen, and Alden’s, just to name a few.

Final Words

Desserts like ice cream can be a refreshing treat to brighten up your mood and make you feel fulfilled. However, keep in mind that they contain artificial ingredients, excessive amounts of sugar, additives, and a high calorie count.

You absolutely do not have to stop consuming ice cream. Ice cream can be an occasional addition to any healthy diet. Everything in moderation. As always, thanks for reading, keep you kitchen hot and salty!