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? ›

As you'll see, when it comes to ice cream or any sweet treat, moderation is important. Stick to a small serving on occasion and you can enjoy ice cream throughout the summer and all year long, unless your doctor has suggested that you avoid it completely.

Is it healthy to have ice cream every day? ›

Registered dietitian Edwina Clark says that while it's true that ice cream is high in saturated fat and sugar, it can be a daily part of a healthy diet. Actually, it has some health benefits. “A scoop of ice cream every night in the context of an otherwise healthy diet is unlikely to ruin your health,” she said.

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

Eating ice cream before bed is not a good idea because it has a high sugar content that can interfere with sleep and a high dairy content that can irritate your stomach. Eating ice cream in the morning is less harmful. However, it is recommended you start your day with a healthier, more nutrient-dense meal.

Is it bad to eat a tub of ice cream in a day? ›

Daily ice cream consumption could contribute to unhealthy cholesterol levels, increasing the risk of heart problems over time. However, some studies suggest the type of fat (e.g., dairy fat vs. processed fats) might play a role, requiring further investigation.

How many ice creams are too many? ›

In general, you should limit your saturated fat intake to less than 15 grams a day, which will be hard if you're eating a lot of junk foods. So by all means enjoy your ice cream, but limit your consumption to two servings a week.

Which ice cream is not ultra-processed? ›

Haagen-Dazs only uses eggs to stabilize their dairy products,” she said, so there are no gums (processed stabilizers). “Their ingredient lists are clean and natural.

What are the disadvantages of eating ice cream daily? ›

If you consume too much of it, it can cause weight gain, visceral fat, fat around the waist circumference (aka love handles!). It can also lead to diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, coronary artery disease, increased cholesterol and high blood pressure.

How many times a week is it okay to eat ice cream? ›

The researchers found that those who ate ice cream no more than twice a week appeared to be 12 percent less likely to develop cardiovascular disease, compared to those who didn't eat ice cream.

Is ice cream good for seniors? ›

It is a source of calcium, protein, and other essential vitamins and minerals. For individuals with dementia who may have difficulty eating or lose their appetite, ice cream can be an easy and enjoyable way to get essential nutrients.

Does ice cream raise blood pressure? ›

Each serving of standard ice cream will provide approximately eight percent of one's daily calcium needs. Incorporating some ice cream into your food plans can also help you lower and regulate your blood pressure.

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.

Will I gain weight if I eat ice cream every day? ›

Most people think that ice cream makes you gain weight. It certainly can if not eaten in moderation. However, a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that women who ate at least one serving of full-fat ice cream daily gained less weight than those who didn't.

Is it OK to eat a scoop of ice cream everyday? ›

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.

How much ice cream is OK per 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.

Are there any benefits of eating ice cream? ›

In moderation, thanks to ice cream's benefits, it has a place in healthy diets. Ice cream is a calcium-rich food, and calcium helps keep your body strong and boosts your metabolism. Adding a higher fat ice cream will help make you feel fuller longer too. Just be mindful of your portion size!

How often does the average person eat ice cream? ›

When and how often do consumers eat ice cream? 73% of consumers consume ice cream at least once per week and 2 out of 3 consume ice cream in the evening.

Is ice cream a junk food? ›

Food items having less nutritive value and not part of a balanced diet are considered as junk food. They cause damage to the digestive system; For e.g., doughnuts, ice cream, potato chips, pizza, etc., are junk foods.

Why am I craving ice cream every day? ›

An ice cream craving could be your body's way of expressing irritation—and a sign it needs a break." It's also possible you may need more calcium or vitamin D in your diet. "Cheese and other dairy foods contain both nutrients, and it's not uncommon to eat insufficient amounts of them," the site explained.

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