Thanks to slow churned ice cream, dieters can enjoy their favorite treat for 100 calories a serving and as much as one-third less fat than traditional ice cream. Read on to learn more about slow churned ice cream.
According to Edy's Slow Churned Ice Cream, which is touted in the book Eat This, Not That, slow churned ice cream gets its distinction from the ingredients it uses, the most important one being time during the mixing process. The slow mixing gives the ice cream the type of consistency that it is less dense than traditional ice cream without losing its flavor. According to the New York Times, this process is called low temperature extrusion and is made effective by its smaller fat globules lets and ice cream crystals. Yahoo Health reports that this technology was first used in ice cream in 2004.
In addition to Edy's (also known as Dryer's in other parts), Nestle, Breyer's, and Häagen-Daz all make slow churned ice cream. Grocery stores have gotten in on the act by producing their own generic brands of the product. On average, Yahoo Health reports that an average serving of slow churned ice cream is from 100 to 130 calories, about half of what you would find in traditional, full-calorie ice cream. For those concerned with portion control, Dryer's sells single-serving cups of its ice cream, located next to the gallons in the frozen foods department.
According to the New York Times article cited earlier in this article, some ice cream manufacturers have faced scrutiny for another method of slow churning, which uses genetically engineered fish protein. While the European market has been skeptical of the ice cream, the genetically modified material is approved by the Food and Drug Administration in the United States. Breyer's uses the ingredient, known as an ice structuring protein, in one of their ice cream bars.
No matter what kind of slow churned ice cream you eat, it still should be eaten in moderation, even if it is significantly lower in calories and fat. In order to successfully lose weight, desserts such as slow churned ice cream should be consumed sparingly to compliment a balanced and healthy diet.