National Ice Cream Day: 5 tips for keeping it healthy
Published 7:00 am Sunday, July 19, 2015
- National Ice Cream Day
I scream, you scream, let’s all scream: It’s National Ice Cream Day.
Every year since 1984 — the year President Ronald Reagan issued a proclamation declaring this annual celebration of ice cream — people across the U.S. have been happily honoring the sweet, cool treat on the third Sunday in July. In fact, all of July is known as Ice Cream Month — and, let’s face it: There’s not a day all summer long where this yummy dessert isn’t fit to be enjoyed.
Lest you worry that all that ice cream may be hurting your diet, we have good news: Ice cream can certainly be part of any healthy eating plan, according to Johannah Sakimura, a New York City nutritionist and author of the nutrition blog Nutrition Sleuth.
“If you want to have ice cream, go for it,” says Sakimura. To avoid going overboard, she says, follow these tips.
- Toppings can be tricky. “Fresh fruit is a terrific way to balance the sugar with a little nutrition,” she says. “And add chopped nuts if you like them. Steer clear of the syrups like caramel and fudge sauce (or have them only occasionally) — they add 120-150 calories per 2 tablespoons and an unnecessary extra load of sugar on top of what’s already in the ice cream.”
- Skip the waffle cone. “If you prefer a cone, definitely go for the cake cone, which is only about 20 calories (a big waffle cone is around 160 calories),” says Sakimura.
- Eat it only when you’re out and about. “If you find that you can’t keep ice cream in the house without overeating it, don’t bring it home,” says Sakimura. “Instead, go to your local ice cream shop or even a fast food place and order a small cup or cone. When you’re finished, it’s over —there’s no lingering temptation drawing you back to the freezer for another bowl.”
- Beware of portion distortion. “Most people way underestimate how much they scoop,” says Sakimura, who adds that the nutrition facts on an ice cream carton are for a 1/2 cup serving, but most people scoop three times as much as that. “To keep yourself in line, scoop into a small mug rather than a cereal bowl. If you stick to small portions, you can enjoy ice cream regularly without it catching up with you.”
- Take your time. “As with any treat, if you’re going to indulge in ice cream, stop and savor it,” she says. “Don’t mindlessly gobble down a big bowl while watching television. Your ice cream deserves better than that!”
Will you celebrate National Ice Cream Day? What’s your favorite flavor?
