Is It Okay to Eat Ice Cream Every Day? - Baton Rouge Clinic (2024)

Ice cream seems like the perfect treat to cool you down on a hot day. Or to perk you up when you’re feeling down. Or to just end your day on a high note. But is it something you can eat every day? Or should it just be savored as an occasional treat?

Enjoying a cup or cone of ice cream may make your taste buds sing, but these facts about how the sweet treat affects the rest of your body may make you rethink a scoop-a-day habit.

Pro: It’s a source of vitamins and minerals.

Ice cream contains some important nutrients, like calcium, vitamin D and vitamin A, among others. But while these nutrients are all needed for good health, the amount in ice cream is small and is accompanied by a hefty dose of fat and added sugar. So your splurge will provide you with some nutritional benefit, but it shouldn’t be relied on for getting your daily dose of these key nutrients.

Con: You may experience a sugar crash.

If you eat a sensible portion of ice cream (1/2 cup), the carbohydrates and added sugars may cause a modest rise in blood sugar. But devouring a triple-scoop cone with extra toppings far exceeds the daily recommendation for added sugar (25 grams for women and 36 grams for men) and can send you on a blood sugar roller coaster ride. To avoid a crash, enjoy a small cup or cone and skip the sugary toppings.

Pro: There are ways to make your treat more nutritious.

To dress up ice cream in a healthier way, choose nutrient-rich garnishes like fresh berries, chopped nuts, chia seeds, banana, pineapple or crunchy whole-grain cereal. Not only will these ingredients add flavor and texture, but they’ll bump up the vitamins, minerals and fiber of your treat. Some may even add a small amount of plant-based protein.

Con: Too much may increase disease risk.

Experts suggest eating any foods that contain added sugar and saturated fat, like ice cream, in a moderate and mindful way. In excess, these foods might displace nutritious choices in your diet and increase the risk of chronic conditions like heart disease, high cholesterol, obesity and diabetes over time.

Pros: It can boost your mood.

Feeling blue? Ice cream may cause a temporary mood boost that starts with the first lick. This is because your brain’s pleasure/reward or “feel good” centers light up when a favorite food is eaten. Eating ice cream is also a beloved summer pastime that sparks feelings of nostalgia that can put a smile on your face. The downside is that over time, you’ll need to spoon up more per sitting to reap the same benefit.

So what’s the bottom line? Can you eat ice cream often?

Go ahead and savor that ice cream cone, cup or sundae this summer. Just do so as an occasional treat, rather than a daily indulgence.

Craving the cool sweetness of ice cream more than occasionally? Here are some healthier refreshing treats to eat instead:

      • No-Sugar-Added Frozen Fruit Pops –Blend seasonal fruit in a blender, pour into popsicle molds (or plastic cups with a popsicle stick) and freeze to make whole fruit, no-sugar-added pops.
      • Fruity Greek Yogurt Bark –Spread vanilla Greek yogurt in a thin layer on a small, rimmed baking sheet. Top with berries, then freeze for several hours. Break into pieces before eating.
      • Banana “Ice Cream” –Process frozen ripe banana pieces in a food processor or high-powered blender until creamy. Eat plain or top with mini chocolate chips, fruit or nuts.

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Is It Okay to Eat Ice Cream Every Day? - Baton Rouge Clinic (2024)

FAQs

Is It Okay to Eat Ice Cream Every Day? - Baton Rouge Clinic? ›

Experts suggest eating any foods that contain added sugar and saturated fat, like ice cream, in a moderate and mindful way. In excess, these foods might displace nutritious choices in your diet and increase the risk of chronic conditions like heart disease, high cholesterol, obesity and diabetes over time.

Is it safe to eat ice cream every day? ›

Whether you're going for non-dairy ice cream or the real thing, all three dietitians emphasize that if you're going to eat ice cream every day, the most important thing to be mindful of is portion size. “A single serving, [which is often a] half-cup, per day is the maximum I recommend for most,” Clark said.

Would it be healthy to eat only ice cream the whole day? ›

It's unhealthy

“This frozen dessert is still high in saturated fat and sugar and should be treated as a once-in-a-while treat,” says Bartell. And while milk-based ice cream does contain calcium, so do other, healthier options, such as Greek yogurt.

Why do doctors recommend eating ice cream? ›

1. It Contains Many Important Micronutrients. The main ingredients in ice cream are milk and cream. These ingredients are great sources of calcium, vitamin D, riboflavin, vitamin A, and phosphorous which all contribute to vital functions in our bodies!

Is it OK to eat a bowl of ice cream every night? ›

When you consume ice cream before bed, the high sugar and calorie content can lead to excess calories being stored as fat in your body. This can result in weight gain over time if it becomes a regular habit. In addition, there is a connection between sleep and obesity which can make things worse.

Can you eat ice cream every day and not gain weight? ›

Yes, really. Ice cream has health benefits. According to a study by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, women who ate at least one daily serving of full-fat dairy products, such as ice cream, can actually gain less weight than those that didn't.

Is ice cream good for the elderly? ›

Ice cream is often high in calcium (to strengthen bones) and other essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin D, vitamin A, calcium, phosphorus and riboflavin. When paired with berries and dark chocolate seniors can also reap additional health benefits.

Does ice cream spike blood sugar? ›

Eating carbohydrate-rich foods, like ice cream, can be challenging for people with diabetes because these foods can cause blood sugar spikes. Carbs are broken down into glucose, or sugar, in your body, and normally the hormone insulin keeps blood sugar levels healthy.

Is ice cream bad for your stomach? ›

Milk, cheese, and ice cream are all no-no's with an upset stomach. They're hard for your body to digest, in part because they're high in fat. Plain, nonfat yogurt may be OK sometimes, but start with a little and see how it goes.

Is peanut butter good for you? ›

Peanut butter packs many health-promoting nutrients that benefit heart health, blood sugar, and weight management. The nut butter might help you get a good night's rest and help you feel full longer. Peanut butter can be a good companion to apples, bananas, chocolate, or simply eaten by the spoonful.

Why do hospitals give you ice cream? ›

It turns out that ice cream is a highly effective alternative to traditional cryotherapy. Cryotherapy is often applied to combat one of the many side-effects of high-dose chemotherapy: oral mucositis (OM). This painful inflammation of the mucous membrane in the mouth significantly reduces the patients' quality of life.

Can ice cream be eaten everyday? ›

Yes, ice cream can be part of an overall healthy diet.

Eating snacks and meals that are inclusive of all macronutrients (carbs, fats, protein) can help you to feel fuller. Plus, ice cream made with classic dairy can also bring along dairy's classic benefits!

What to eat just before bed? ›

The 9 Best Foods and Drinks to Have Before Bed
  • Almonds.
  • Turkey.
  • Chamomile tea.
  • Kiwi.
  • Tart cherry juice.
  • Fatty fish.
  • Walnuts.
  • Passionflower.

Is sherbet good for you? ›

The addition of dairy gives sherbet a creamier texture, but it also increases the overall calorie and fat content. However, compared to ice cream, sherbet still tends to have a lower fat content, making it a good choice for those watching their fat intake.

How many ice creams can you eat in a day? ›

With these two factors in mind, she says that eating a primarily nutrient-rich diet and a small serving of ice cream (about half a cup) each night likely won't negatively impact the body too much.

Can I drink water after eating ice cream? ›

It is recommended to drink water after eating ice cream. It helps to replenish the depleted level of water in our tissues and blood. Drinking water will not trigger the thirst response. It is obvious that your brain will process the thirst response later after eating ice cream, not instantly.

Is ice cream a junk? ›

Definitions. In Andrew F. Smith's Encyclopedia of Junk Food and Fast Food, junk food is defined as "those commercial products, including candy, bakery goods, ice cream, salty snacks and soft drinks, which have little or no nutritional value but do have plenty of calories, salt, and fats.

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