We Pitted Ice Cream Against Fro-Yo — This Is the Healthier Choice
Keep reading to see which frozen dessert reigns supreme.
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It’s a hot (and cold) debate. When looking for the optimal healthy frozen treat, what’s the better choice? Frozen yogurt enthusiasts will claim that the cold and creamy option is healthier than ice cream, but do the nutrition facts back that up? Both frozen yogurt and ice cream have the potential to be high in sugar, calories, and fat. So, is fro-yo really the healthier option? Let’s explore.
What Is Frozen Yogurt?
Freezing yogurt isn’t too hard to comprehend, but there are some differences between buying fro-yo at the grocery store and at a yogurt shop. Store-bought frozen yogurt is often made from a mixture of milk and yogurt. This is sometimes referred to as "cultured milk," or milk that's been combined with active cultures that allow for fermentation and the proliferation of healthy bacteria (hooray for probiotics). Generally, frozen yogurt also contains sweeteners, flavorings, and plant-based thickeners, such as guar or locust bean gum.
Traditional ice cream, on the other hand, is made from a mixture of cream, milk, sugar, flavorings, and sometimes egg yolks. It is not unusual for store-bought tubs of ice cream to also contain thickeners. Soft serve frozen yogurt and ice cream are made using a liquid-base, which often consists of similar ingredients that are churned and frozen in a machine. This process allows for a softer, swirled, and less scoopable texture. Soft serve machines must be cleaned and sanitized frequently and thoroughly to prevent bacterial growth (specifically Listeria monocytogenes), which is why some medical professionals recommend against soft serve for susceptible populations, like pregnant women and others who are immunocompromised.
Does Frozen Yogurt Have Probiotics?
As in many cases when it comes to nutrition, the answer is, it depends. Checking ingredient lists will reveal just how much yogurt is in your fro-yo of choice. If your favorite product is made with yogurt, look for the inclusion of "live, active cultures" for the most probiotic benefit. Some strains of healthy bacteria may not be as well sustained in freezing temperatures.
Frozen Yogurt vs. Ice Cream: The Nutrition Facts
Whether you want to indulge in scoopable or soft serve varieties, the nutrition facts for ice cream compared to fro-yo are consistent no matter which form you choose.
A standard 2/3 cup serving of premium vanilla ice cream contains 320 calories, 21 grams of fat (including 13 grams of saturated fat), and 26 grams of carbs, including 18 grams of added sugar (that’s about 4.5 teaspoons). The protein count is about 6 grams per serving and calcium comes in at about 10% of the daily recommendation. Other brands of vanilla ice cream may contain lower amounts of calories and fat (210 and 13 grams, respectively) and have a similar amount of added sugar and protein.
The same 2/3 cup serving of vanilla frozen yogurt contains 160 calories, 3 grams of fat (2 grams saturated), and 28 grams of carbs, including 18 grams of added sugar. Protein tallies are slightly higher, coming in at about 5 grams per serving, on average.
Is Frozen Yogurt Healthier Than Ice Cream?
If you are looking for less calories and fat, plus a few extra grams of protein, some brands of fro-yo may have the nutritional edge. To truly maximize your gut health potential, consider a wide range of fermented- and probiotic-filled foods beyond just frozen treats. Keep in mind that cookies, candies, and other sweetened mix-ins can stack the sugar and calories much higher for both ice cream and fro-yo, so scoop accordingly.
Can You DIY Your Own Frozen Yogurt?
Tart-style Greek frozen yogurt has become popular at chains like 16 Handles, Mimi's, Culture, and Myka in New York City. You can also make your own frozen yogurt relatively easily with an ice cream maker or Ninja Creami; all you need is Greek yogurt and your favorite sweetener. For additional flavor combinations, check out this recipe gallery.
Store-Bought Frozen Yogurts To Try
If you're suddenly craving some fro-yo for yourself, here are some top picks we recommend — in scoopable, soft serve, and more delicious styles.
Yasso is one of the most beloved store-bought frozen yogurt options. The brand features an extensive line of bars, bites, and spoonable treats that give you all the joy of eating a frozen dessert for a sensible amount of calories. Fan-favorites include spoonable Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough (see above), chocolate-coated Vanilla Bean Poppables, and Creamy Mango bars.
Tackle a chocolate craving for under 100 calories with a box of Alden’s Organics Chocolate Fudge Twist bars. They have all the nostalgia of an ice cream truck classic, but are made with high-quality ingredients and live, active cultures.
If you are less inclined to take steps to make your own frozen yogurt, pick up a pack of Clio bars and store them in the freezer. The brand offers a wide variety of chocolate-dipped yogurt treats that are available in several flavors and sizes, many of which have more protein and less sugar than traditional fro-yo options.
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