Does “healthy” and “ice cream” sound like an oxymoron to you? Well, ice cream makers are on a mission to change all of that. Researchers at the University of Missouri are focused on turning the universal comfort food, ice cream, into a functional food that’s guilt free. What’s a functional food? It’s one that has additional health benefits that go beyond simple nutrition. For example, calcium fortified orange juice is a functional food because calcium was added to the orange juice to boost bone health. Researchers at the University of Missouri are hoping to use the power of functional foods to create a more nutritious ice cream.
A More Nutritious Ice Cream: Is It Possible?
The MU researchers are looking at the possibility of using components of grapes and acai berries to make a healthier, more nutritious ice cream. Grapes and acai berries are good sources of antioxidants which help to reduce free radical damage that can lead to premature aging and chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer. They also hope to add fiber to the ice cream for better heart health and probiotics, or good bacteria, for a healthy digest tract and immune system. The challenge in creating a more nutritious ice cream is to do it without detracting from the taste. The research team at University of Missouri believe they can do this by using ice cream that already has a strong flavor such as chocolate to mask the taste of the additives.
A Guilt Free Ice Cream?
Most ice cream you find in supermarkets wouldn’t be considered health food – although manufacturers have taken great strides to make low fat and low sugar ice creams available. If these healthier ice creams are eaten in moderation, they’re a better dessert option than most of the pies and cakes out there. From a nutritional standpoint, ice cream isn’t all that bad since it’s a good source of calcium and vitamin A. Some healthier ice cream options include sorbets, sherberts, frozen yogurt, and Italian ices which are lower in fat, but frequently contain too much sugar.
Make Your Own More Nutritious Ice Cream
To indulge in ice cream and get some additional health benefits, try making your own super nutritious ice cream dessert at home. Start with a healthier ice cream choice – preferably one that’s low in fat and sugar. You can find these at most supermarkets. A good example is Breyer’s Light No Sugar Added line of ice creams. Spoon a single serving into a bowl; but be careful. Just because it’s low in fat and sugar doesn’t mean you can eat twice as much. Add some blueberries, sliced strawberries, blackberries, or other berries of your choice for additional antioxidant benefits. Add a light sprinkling of walnuts or almonds for fiber, vitamin E, selenium, and monounsaturated fats. Now, you have your own nutritious ice cream creation. You can even buy an ice cream maker and make your own guilt free ice cream from scratch.
Guilt Free Ice Cream: The Bottom Line?
Ice cream is a simple dessert that doesn’t have to be unhealthy. There’s no need to wait around for ‘functional” ice cream to hit the market when you can make your own nutritious ice cream treat at home. Why not give it a try?
References:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170472.php
