the health jeanne

jEanne Angleberger

Summertime is the best time to enjoy a frozen treat, and the good news is that you can enjoy one without feeling guilty. Choose a bar, on a stick, or in a cone. No calculating what one serving is!

What to look for when choosing a frozen dessert? No more than 3 teaspoons (13 grams) of added sugar. The few grams of natural sugar is included under “total sugars.”

Saturated fat: No more than 2 grams. Your choices are yogurt bars, fudge bars, light ice cream bars, and fruit bars.

Low-calorie sweeteners: Avoid acesulfame potassium, aspartame, or sucralose. Stevia extract is safe as a sweetener. Sugar alcohols like sorbitol and maltitol are also safe, but they can cause nausea if you eat too much. You may find some mini-bars that will qualify as a healthier option as well.

If you’re counting calories, you’ll want to know the caloric value when choosing a single serving. Some may be low in saturated fat, but high in calories.

When searching for a healthier option for a frozen treat, ingredient reading is a must. If you’re looking at a low-fat or low-calorie frozen treat, make sure you know what is in it. When a frozen dessert states “low fat,” that sometimes means they add more sugar for better taste. So, it could be less fat, but more sugar, so not exactly healthier for you, and the calories can end up being similar to regular ice cream. Sometimes, a smaller portion of the real thing might be a better choice.

So, if you’re looking for something to beat the heat on a hot summer day, enjoy a frozen treat!