By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
July 12, 2001
Nothing signifies the arrival of summer like a big, refreshing bowl of ice cream.
Whether it’s the tinkling of the Good Humor truck or simply the sight of scoops being doled out at Ben & Jerry’s, ice cream brings us to a place that makes us feel young and carefree.
Too bad our metabolism isn’t what it used to be. So what’s a person with a sweet tooth to do?
“Sorbets and fruit ices typically have less calories than ice cream and are a good alternative for those watching their weight,” says Amy Baltes, a dietician at Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s Wellness Institute. “You can eat ice cream, but you should be aware of portion sizes and watch how much you’re eating. Don’t order three scoops when one might be enough. It’s a fact that if people buy a bigger portion, they’ll eat it all even if they’re full.”
Iced coffee drinks may be a nice alternative to ice cream as well, though a simple cup of coffee can turn into a 600-calorie milk shake if you order the gargantuan size with whipped cream, sugar and extra shots of sauce or chocolate. Compare that to a generous 16 ounce iced skim mocha drink (sans whipped cream) that will only cost you 240 calories.
Ever read the portion sizes on the ice cream box? If you actually find the person who’s sated by just a half-cup of ice cream, send me her number. I’d like to buy her willpower. The rest of us want at least a cup (or two scoops) of the treat.
So for those of you who believe that 620 calories is too much to add onto your hips—as is the case if you down a cup of Haagen-Dazs’ butter pecan ice cream—check out some tasty alternatives that’ll leave you with a little less on your behind.
Giving up ice cream isn’t just a bad thought if you consider how much more you can consume when you cut calories. How many of these can you consume before you gain a pound? (Note: 3,500 calories makes 1 pound of body fat). Follow our guide; you can have more than you think.
Instead of high-cal premium ice cream, try: Calories You must eat/drink this many to gain a pound
Jamba Juice protein berry piazazz (24 oz.) 470 8
Starbucks coffee frappuccino (24 oz.) 300 12
TCBY frozen yogurt (8 oz. ) 270 13
Starbucks cafe mocha with skim milk (16 oz.) 240 15
Creamsicle (2.7 oz.) 120 30
Starbucks frappuccino bar (2.5 oz.) 120 30
Starbucks iced cappuccino with skim milk (16 oz.) 110 32
Haagen-Dasz raspberry and vanilla yogurt bar (2.4 oz) 90 39
Dole Strawberry Fruit’N Juice bar (2.5 oz.) 70 50
Tropicana orange cream bar (2.5 oz.) 70 50
Welch’s fruit juice bars (1.75 oz.) 45 78
Trix pops (1.75 oz.) 40 88
