Ice cream: health benefits and harms

The taste of ice cream has been familiar to us since childhood. Dessert, which is a pleasure to eat on a hot day, is loved by children and their parents. However, many sweet tooth are interested in the topic of the harm and benefits of ice cream for the body. This article will answer these questions.

Ice Cream Technology

There are two main production technologies. We will analyze each of them separately.

Seasoned Ice Cream (Classic)
It is made under the condition of obligatory severe freezing at a temperature of no higher than -18 ° С. The product is stored at -55 ° C. Large enterprises that make classic ice cream in accordance with GOST 31457-2012 follow the following technology:

• Reception of ingredients.
• Preparation of raw materials, calculation of formulations, preparation of mixtures.
• Filtration.
• Pasteurization (at + 85 ° C).
• Homogenization of mixtures.
• Add flavorings and colorings if necessary.
• Milling and cooling. 2 times increase in product volume.
• Packing the finished product.
• Hardening.
• Packaging.

Soft ice cream
The product does not require severe freezing; its temperature is only 4–6 ° С. Ready to eat immediately after cooking. Make this ice cream in freezers. Such an apparatus independently mixes, cools and prepares a treat. If hardened ice cream can be prepared only at industrial enterprises, then soft is often made directly at the buyer.

What is the difference between ice cream and cream ice cream

Ice cream and cream ice cream are easy to confuse, because they are so similar in taste and appearance. But still, there is a difference between them.

According to GOST, 15–20% of milk fat in a fat ice cream. In the classic - about 13%. But in cream ice cream, milk fat is not more than 10%.

The calorie content of the ice cream is 400 kcal per 100 g of product. In creamy ice cream, this figure drops to 290 kcal. This difference appears due to the presence of eggs and butter in the ice cream.

What is the difference between sorbet and sorbet from ice cream

In addition to different tastes, these desserts differ in composition. As an example, take the content of milk fat. In classic ice cream it should be at least 10%. In sorbet - only 1-2%, but in sorbet it is not at all.

Composition and calorie content

Bodybuilders are often interested in how many calories are in an ice cream cone. The following is the calorie content of the main types of this dessert per 100 g of product.

• Ice cream - 227 kcal
• Creamy - 179 kcal
• Chocolate - 158 kcal
• Dairy - 126 kcal
• Eskimo - 270 kcal
• Banana - 231 kcal
• Creme brulee - 235 kcal
• Sour milk - 166 kcal

It is worth remembering that manufacturers like to add various toppings, nuts, powders to the dessert, which significantly increase the calorie content of the product. It is also necessary to look at the composition of ice cream on the label upon purchase. Some manufacturers make ice cream using their own technologies, and from this the calorie content of the product can vary.

What is useful ice cream

Ice cream is a natural product. There is still debate about how this dessert is good for the body. Let's get it right.

For women

Women should not avoid snacking in the form of ice cream. Even if you follow your figure and count each calorie eaten, here are a few facts confirming the benefits of a cold dessert for the female body.

Ice cream is a great snack. Due to its high fat content, it is completely absorbed by the body and quickly brings a feeling of fullness. Therefore, even a small portion will help satisfy your hunger for the next few hours.

Ice cream contains a lot of cream and milk that contain L-tryptophan. This is a natural tranquilizer that stimulates the production of serotonin - the hormone of joy. Therefore, ice cream will be extremely beneficial for women during the PMS period, because it will help maintain a good mood.

For men

Many men play sports to increase muscle mass. However, no body can meet this requirement without the necessary elements - calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, carotene. All these components are present in ice cream, as it contains a lot of milk.

In addition, manufacturers often add various ingredients to dessert. For example, grated chocolate, nuts or berries. These foods also contain many vitamins and beneficial elements. They improve memory and stimulate brain function.

During pregnancy

During the bearing of a child, women are faced with a huge number of restrictions on food. If we talk about ice cream, then you can eat it. It helps to cheer up, saturates the mother’s body with calcium, which is necessary for her baby, has good calorie content. This is important for those who are poorly gaining weight during pregnancy. It should be very careful when choosing a cold dessert. Not all manufacturers follow GOST, and if a deviation from the standards does not harm most people, then it can be critical for a pregnant mother. You need to choose a dessert made from natural ingredients and labeled "GOST".

When breastfeeding

After birth, food restrictions are not lifted. The child will eat mother’s milk for about a year, so her diet will directly affect it. It is not worth giving up ice cream at all, but it is better to wait for the baby to reach three to five months.

When choosing a dessert, you need to carefully read the composition. Between milk and fruit it is always worth choosing the first. It has more cow's milk, but half the sugar. An ideal option would be a classic ice cream without additives.

Infants often have an allergic reaction to many products. Specifically, in the composition of ice cream, potential allergens may be cocoa beans, chocolate, vanilla and starch. If you notice that your child is allergic to ice cream, completely eliminate its use.

Everything is good in moderation. Even if the baby's body copes with a cold dessert, do not abuse it. Two or three horns per week - maximum. From more should be limited to the moment until the period of breastfeeding ends.

For kids

All children love ice cream. You can’t argue that it tastes delicious. And if we consider the useful properties of this dessert, then without difficulty we can conclude that for a fragile child's body it is simply necessary.

Any kind of ice cream contains a large number of useful elements. The most necessary of them for children is calcium. In order for the child’s bones to become stronger, the body must have enough calcium, which is so much in the frozen dessert.

There are about four times more carbohydrates in ice cream than in milk. Thanks to this, it is almost completely absorbed by the body and quickly saturates.

To always have a good mood is extremely important. And what dessert will please the child more than the horn of his beloved ice cream?

Can I eat ice cream while losing weight

The question that torments all losing weight: is it possible to eat ice cream in food when losing weight. There are many studies. Qualified nutritionists and specialists have been arguing on this topic for several years. When losing weight, ice cream is possible and even necessary. Why? Now let's figure it out.

The first rule - everything is good in moderation. You can lose weight by eating a cold dessert every day, but only if it fits into the general calorie intake per day.

It has already been said more than once that there is a lot of calcium in ice cream. In addition to strengthening the body, this element contributes to weight loss. Studies were conducted during which it was found that when an extra source of calcium was added to the diet, excess weight went 30–37% more than with the usual daily calorie intake.

The process of burning excess weight occurs only with normal metabolism. The amino acids in large quantities contained in ice cream will help to disperse it.

Ice cream can be replaced by fast food. If we compare a quick snack with "bad" food and ice cream, then it is better to prefer the latter. Firstly, its composition unconditionally wins any fast food dish. Secondly, a large amount of carbohydrates and fats contributes to a quick sense of fullness. And there are so many seasonings in “junk” food that the taste buds get clogged, and a person simply cannot understand whether he has eaten enough or not.

Girls know the feeling when, following a diet, they want “something sweet.” It is known that hunger can be physical and psychological. Quenching the second is as important as the first. Ice cream can easily and safely satisfy both psychological and physical hunger. Features of the eating behavior of almost all people are as follows: if you adhere to strict prohibitions for a long time, then the so-called “breakdown” will occur sooner or later. To avoid this, you sometimes need to pamper yourself, and a favorite ice cream cone will be a great snack option.

There is a special ice cream diet. American nutritionist Holi Mack Korda has developed a nutrition system in which for three days a person who is losing weight eats only cold dessert. Servings are divided by 200 g into 5 meals a day.

It is important to observe the caloric content of the daily diet - up to 1000 kcal. This means that ice cream for such a diet should be chosen without any additives, ideally a classic ice cream or cream. The nutritional value of different types of ice cream was mentioned above.

Ice cream is eaten cold. When a chilled product enters the body, the process of energy production is launched to maintain and maintain a normal body temperature. Many calories can’t be burned like that, but it’s a nice plus.

Summing up, we can conclude that you can eat ice cream while losing weight. The use of moderate portions 2-3 times a week will not lead to the appearance of excess weight.

Ice cream in medicine

Doctors argued for a long time about the benefits of ice cream. However, more recently, its benefits have been recognized, and even the most useful species has been named - dairy (without any additives).

With diabetes

Decades ago, doctors banned ice-cream from diabetic patients. However, technology is developing, and now the overwhelming majority of medical workers have the opposite opinion on this. It's not about changing the composition of ice cream or the mutation of the disease. Just now, diabetic patients can independently monitor and regulate blood glucose levels.

At this point in time, doctors recommend limiting the use of ice cream to small portions not more than once a week. However, if a person has a moderate or severe stage of diabetes, then a cold dessert is strictly forbidden for him.

Even those who can enjoy ice cream should follow some rules in the process of drinking. For example, you can’t eat ice cream with coffee or tea. Otherwise, all products will be absorbed many times faster, and this will lead to a sharp jump in glucose in the blood.

Manufacturers take into account the needs of customers and produce ice cream without natural sugar in the composition. However, such a horn may be more harmful than a portion of a natural product. Many sweeteners for a diabetic patient are an order of magnitude more dangerous than regular sugar.

If you choose between fruit ice and ordinary ice cream, then diabetics prefer the second. Fruit ice is frozen juice. Such a product is low-calorie, therefore, when ingested, it is absorbed very quickly. This entails a spike in blood sugar.

Important: the glycemic index of ice cream is from 35 to 90 units.

With pancreatitis

People with pancreatitis have to deal with a lot of food restrictions. Although all gastroenterologists categorically prohibit the use of ice cream for this disease, there is an exception.

Fruit ice for the most part consists of frozen juice. It has few calories and is quickly absorbed by the body. Therefore, people suffering from pancreatitis, you can eat only fruit ice, but in small quantities.

All other ice cream varieties are strictly prohibited. Violation of the diet leads to an exacerbation of the disease and other unpleasant consequences.

With gastritis

Doctors do not allow patients to eat ice cream for gastritis for a number of reasons. Too cold foods cause exacerbation, high fat content adversely affects the digestive tract, and with gastritis with high acidity, the use of this treat provokes heartburn. Also, modern manufacturers use a large number of synthetic additives, which are difficult to cope with the injured mucous membrane of the stomach.

It is best to exclude ice cream from the diet in general, but if you really want to, you can eat milk. Compared to other varieties, it has the least amount of fats and artificial additives.

For constipation

Experts' opinions on the use of ice cream for constipation vary. Some give evidence of the composition of ice cream. This is a natural dairy product, and dairy is useful for constipation. But a large amount of sugar can lead to an increase in intestinal yeast, which will aggravate the situation. Therefore, treating constipation with ice cream will not work, but just pampering yourself is perfectly acceptable. With this disease, it is better to eat more foods rich in fiber. These are fruits, vegetables, whole grains. It is also important to drink large amounts of water and the presence of physical activity.

With gout

People suffering from gout can eat ice cream. The use of goodies in reasonable quantities will not lead to anything bad. Specialists in the preparation of diets for patients suffering from gout, highlight the item "sweets". This includes ice cream, marshmallows, candy, caramel. General recommendations are as follows: to use dessert in small portions no more than twice a week, besides it should not contain any additives (ideally, a classic milk ice cream).

With colitis

Unfortunately, the sweet tooth, with colitis, doctors categorically forbid eating any products with sugar, including ice cream. No culinary tricks and the production of natural homemade ice cream will not help get rid of the negative effects that will be caused by sweetness. Treating colitis involves strictly regulating nutrition and eating habits. To get rid of the disease from patients, strict adherence to a diet that completely eliminates sugar, which is so much in a cold dessert, is required.

For the liver

Despite the huge number of beneficial properties of ice cream, it is still harmful to the liver due to the large number of chemical elements in the composition. All useful substances are absorbed by the body, and harmful substances remain in the liver. The components of dessert that hit the liver most severely are: sugar, fat milk, dyes, emulsifiers, stabilizers.You can make homemade ice cream from natural products and without various additives, but such a dessert will have a huge amount of sugar.

With hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids - a disease in the treatment of which the diet plays an important role. When compiling special diets for patients suffering from hemorrhoids, the attending physician is based on the general rules of nutrition for this ailment. The basis of the diet is liquid, low-calorie foods and 2 liters of water daily. Ice cream is included in the list of prohibited products, since a weakened gastrointestinal tract is difficult to cope with.

With cholecystitis

People with cholecystitis will also have to forget about cold treats. The treatment of this ailment includes a set of specific measures, which includes following a strict diet. All cold or chilled foods are prohibited, and ice cream is among them. It is possible to include ice cream in the diet only after undergoing postoperative rehabilitation. Before this, you should consult with your doctor.

With angina

Doctors agree that ice cream with angina is possible and even necessary. However, everything should be in moderation. You can not make ice cream the main drug in the treatment of the disease. It can temporarily relieve the onset of symptoms, but it does not affect the general course of the disease in humans. With angina, you can eat 150-200 g of dessert without a waffle. A prerequisite - it should be soft, slightly melted. Overly frozen treats can exacerbate symptoms.

Harm and contraindications

Of course, ice cream is not a panacea. In addition to positive qualities, it can also have an adverse effect on the body.

Is it possible to get sick from ice cream

A question that has really been relevant at all times. Is there a connection between eating a cold dessert and illness? Let's get it right.

The answer is no. You can't get sick from ice cream. Even if it was quickly eaten on a hot day. From this, neither a child nor an adult can get sick. But from viruses and infections can. But the body is exposed to them all year round, and the appearance of diseases is not directly related to cold food.

However, there are exceptions. There are diseases caused by ice cream, but even here the wine of goodies is minimal.

1. Obesity is often caused by excessive consumption of sweets. Ice cream is just one of them.
2. Dessert can be poisoned, like any other product. If at least one ingredient is affected by bacteria, it is poisoned.
3. People suffering from hypothermia can suffer from eating any cold foods.

As a result, ice cream itself is not a provocateur of illnesses like ARVI or the common cold. But it can indirectly affect the deterioration of the body.

How to choose real ice cream

Today, ice cream is one of the most popular products in the dessert market. Manufacturers know this, so they offer a wide selection of assortment of goodies for every taste. It is thanks to the variety of options offered that it is so important to carefully approach the product selection process. So how to choose high-quality, real and delicious ice cream?

It is necessary to focus on GOST. Special services verify compliance with all rules in the manufacture of such products. If there is a “GOST” badge on the package, you can safely put the dessert in the basket. The main advantage is that according to GOST, the addition of vegetable fats to the composition is prohibited, and they are very harmful to the body.

Reading the composition on the label is important. At the very beginning are the products that are in the composition the most, then the list goes in descending order.In good ice cream, milk (cream), sugar and vanillin will occupy the first positions. The remaining components depend on the type of ice cream (ice cream, popsicle, cream). Do not be afraid in the composition of emulsifiers and stabilizers, as they are simply necessary. Without them, ice cream will not hold its shape and will quickly melt.

The appearance of the packaging is also important. It must be airtight, not damaged. If the composition is poorly printed or impossible to read, it is better to refuse such a product. Some manufacturers allow themselves such tricks to deceive the buyer. And if the ice cream was of high quality and had a good composition, you would not have to cheat.

The main information that manufacturers are required to indicate on the packaging: date and time of manufacture, composition, net weight, GOST (or TU) and shelf life. Pay attention to the weight of the ice cream - it should be indicated in grams (g), not milliliters (ml)!

The price should be reasonable. This does not mean that you need to buy only the most expensive ice cream. But we must be aware that the buyer can wait in a glass, for example, for 9 rubles. It is better to choose a dessert of an average or higher price category.

Take the product lying on the bottom of the special refrigerator. Products with an expiring (and sometimes already expired) shelf life are laid out in the most prominent place. In order not to fall for such a trick of sellers, choose the horn lying below. And it will be better frozen.

These are the basic rules when choosing a quality ice cream. Everything else depends on the type of ice cream you need to choose.

How to make ice cream at home

To enjoy your favorite treat, it is not necessary to buy it in a store. Ice cream can be made independently. Then you will know what is in its composition, and what exactly is not there. Below is a simple recipe for making ice cream at home.

Ingredients:

• 150 ml of cow's milk;
• 150 g of sugar or powdered sugar;
• 0.5 l of cream 30–35% fat;
• vanilla sugar / vanilla (optional).

Step-by-step recipe for making ice cream:

1. You can achieve the required consistency of ice cream only with chilled cream, so put them in the refrigerator in advance.
2. Beat the eggs. Separate the squirrels from the yolks and pour them into different bowls.
3. In a bowl with yolks, add sugar or powdered sugar and grate thoroughly.
4. Pour milk into the same bowl and mix with a whisk.
5. Heat the resulting mixture. To do this, it is better to pour it into a pan and put it on the stove. Eggs should not be cooked, so the maximum temperature does not exceed 80 degrees. Mix constantly.
6. During heating, the yolks will begin to thicken. It's good. You should not be afraid of undercooked eggs in the product, because thanks to heating, all bacteria in them will die. This is a method similar to pasteurization.
7. When the mixture thickens, cool it. To test readiness, dip a spoon in the yolks. They are ready if they don’t drain.
8. Cool the mixture to room temperature with a cold water bath. To do this, pour ice water into a larger pan and put a small pan in it so that the water level does not reach its edges. Stir constantly to mix the lower layers with the upper.
9. When the mixture has cooled, remove the cream and whip them in a separate bowl. You should get a thick cream consistency. Do not whisk harder (to an oil condition). The cream of the required consistency does not flow out of the bowl if you tilt it a little.
10. Next, in a large bowl, mix the two resulting mixtures. At this point, add vanilla or vanilla sugar if necessary (to get the vanilla flavor of ice cream).

The finished mass should be uniform, even color. It is necessary to freeze with the expectation that in the future it will have to be repeatedly removed and whipped with a mixer. This is necessary to saturate the ice cream with oxygen, of which it consists of 50%. If you neglect whipping during freezing, the treat will not have a light and airy consistency.

Beat the dessert for the first time after it has stood in the freezer for an hour. Then, repeat the procedure every hour for 3-4 hours.After that, leave it in the freezer for another 10-12 hours.

After this time, the cream ice cream is completely ready. You can safely get it and treat yourself and family members.

How to eat ice cream

It would seem that it could be easier than eating your favorite treat? This process is familiar to everyone since childhood, and many do not even think about whether they eat ice cream correctly. However, in recent years, experts are increasingly saying that the misuse of any food product can adversely affect the body. So how to eat ice cream without harm to health?

How much can you eat per day

An ordinary adult, not inclined to fullness, can eat up to 200 g of ice cream without additives per day. In the presence of toppings, powders or other flavors, it is better to reduce the portion to 150 g. Such a volume of dessert will not harm the figure, especially in the presence of regular physical exertion.

Children can eat up to 150 g per day, provided that the rest of the daily diet did not have so much sugar. If there is ice cream with other sweets (for example, on a holiday), then the portion should be reduced to 100 g.

People on a strict diet can eat 70-100 g of low-calorie ice cream. But even such small portions should be consumed no more than 1-2 times a week.

Can I eat at night and on an empty stomach

Drinking ice cream at night will not lead to anything bad. The main thing is to know the measure. A small portion will not harm the figure, unless, of course, this is a regular ritual before going to bed. So people whose body calmly copes with ice cream can eat it at any time of the day.

You can also eat a chilled delicacy on an empty stomach. It has enough calories and nutrients to quickly restore strength and saturate the body. One minus is cold ice cream. To maintain the body's temperature after cooling from the inside, energy will also be expended. However, these indicators are small and will not play a big role.

Is it possible to eat ice cream after tooth extraction?

Those who have had to undergo a tooth extraction procedure know how unpleasant it is when anesthesia ceases to work. A tumor as a result of such an operation is a normal phenomenon that cannot be avoided. Therefore, many doctors advise their patients to eat ice cream after surgery. And this recommendation applies not only to children. Ice cream can really be eaten after tooth extraction. Due to the temperature, it will relieve pain from the tumor and greatly facilitate the course of the postoperative period.

However, ice cream is only useful on the day of surgery. After a day, it is better to make warm compresses.

Why ice cream does not freeze in the freezer

The freezer is designed for long-term storage of products at low temperatures. Many people know how difficult it is to defrost meat after a freezer.

Buying ice cream in briquettes, you can’t eat it whole at a time, so people put it in the freezer. What their surprise when, having got ice cream, they do not find it frozen. Some briquettes are literally soft. So why is this happening?

First of all, you need to understand that not all ice cream remains soft at low temperatures. Only a high-quality delicacy made strictly according to GOST will harden, consisting of at least 20% milk.

If ice cream contains vegetable fats (for example, palm or coconut oil), it will not harden. It is technical oils that are not absorbed by the body and do not allow the product to freeze even at the lowest temperatures. Therefore, if soft ice cream is found in the freezer, it is better to refuse from its use.

Vegetable fats are cheaper than animal fats, therefore, products with them are cheaper.However, they have an unpleasant taste. To hide it, fat is deodorized. Is it worth it to expose your body to such a danger?

Can animals give ice cream

Eating an ice cream cone near your pet, it is difficult to resist his charm and not treat him with a piece of goodies. Is it safe? Let's figure it out.

All veterinarians say that giving ice cream to pets is strictly prohibited. There is no use to it. As a rule, only the owner himself receives satisfaction, observing with what pleasure his pet eats treats. Animals can not know about the danger of such snacks, so their owners should monitor this themselves.

Any sweets are contraindicated for animals, including ice cream. Most pets have lactose intolerance. Of course, after a piece of ice cream, the pet will not die (only if he does not have serious diseases related to the digestive tract), but you should not abuse it.

If the owner aims to help the pet cool on a hot day, then alas, this is also meaningless. Each animal by nature has its own methods of thermoregulation. You can help him only by providing the pet with fresh cool water. His body will do the rest on its own.

The composition of ice cream adversely affects the health of animals. A large amount of sugar and milk fat contributes to obesity, diabetes and liver diseases.

If we talk only about ice cream, then a small portion does not greatly harm the pet. But if there are additives in the treat (nuts, raisins, chocolate), then even a small piece can be toxic and lead to food poisoning.

Owners should carefully monitor the diet of their animals. If you really want to pamper your pet with something tasty, then there are special goodies. Ice cream for animals can even be made on their own - such a treat will certainly not harm the pet.

What is the most delicious ice cream

There is no companion for taste and color, as the well-known saying goes. It is impossible to judge strictly which ice cream is the most delicious. However, there are real statistics. It is based on social surveys of ordinary people, and here are its results.

The most delicious ice cream:

• Vanilla - 23%.
• Ice cream - 17%.
• Chocolate - 15%.
• Eskimo - 15%.
• Dairy - 13%.
• Aromatic - 9%.
• Fruit and berry - 7%.
• Creme brulee - 1%.

Interesting Ice Cream Facts

1. Ice cream began to be sold in waffle cones by chance. In 1904, an ice cream seller did not have enough paper cups at a fair in the USA, and he asked for help from a friend selling waffles. They began to pack ice cream in waffle cups, not even suspecting that in the future this tradition would spread around the world.
2. From the milk of one cow in its entire life, 34 thousand liters of ice cream can be made.
3. The USA is the leader in the amount of ice cream produced. On average, one resident of this country eats about 22.5 liters of cold dessert per year.
4. All over the world there are more than 700 varieties of ice cream.
5. A popsicle stick was invented in 1905 by an 11-year-old boy.
6. A portion of the most expensive ice cream costs about $ 1,000. A spoon with diamonds is served along with the treat, which you can then pick up yourself.
7. At the dawn of the popularity of television, cooking shows used regular mashed potatoes instead of real ice cream, as dessert quickly melted under the light of lamps.
8. The largest ice cream cake was made by a Canadian company. He weighed more than 10 tons and fell into the Guinness Book of Records. It took about 9000 kg of ice cream and 100 kg of biscuit to make it.
9. Ice cream melts so slowly due to the large amount of sugar in the composition.
10. The very first ice cream recipe was found in China and dates from 1665. It included water from an orange and flowers.
11. Ice cream tasters use only golden spoons. It is believed that ordinary cutlery leaves an aftertaste.
12. In one firm, the shape of the ice cream cups was changed after writing the defenders of the hedgehogs. They asked to reduce the hole in the lid, as the hedgehogs, finding abandoned glasses, stuck their heads inward and could not get out. The company went to meet the activists and changed the diameter of the lid.
13. There is an ice cream cemetery. There are plastic gravestones on which the name and the recipe for ice cream that did not please the customers are written.
14. There is ice cream with real shrimp.
15. World Ice Cream Day - June 10th.

Ice cream photo