Smart Scoops

You don’t need to give up ice cream and other frozen goodies. Here’s how to cool off with smart selections.

There’s nothing quite like a frozen treat on a hot summer day. Thankfully, having diabetes doesn’t mean giving up occasional trips to the ice cream shop (or the freezer case of your supermarket). It just means making sure your selection fits into your eating goals for the day. Here’s some help with that.

Version your Favorites

Ice cream and frozen yogurt now come in plenty of flavors that are “no sugar added.” Also look for no added sugar versions of ices, sorbets, and sherbets.

Try “Churned” Ice Cream

Most of the fat in regular ice cream is saturated fat (the kind you want to eat less of), although light and reduced fat ice cream and frozen yogurt can be smarter choices. Among these, ones labeled “slow churned” (aka “double churned” or “cold churned”) are processed in a way that lends them a creamier texture that’s more like “regular” ice cream. Again, look for no added sugar versions.

Most of the fat in regular ice cream is saturated fat (the kind you want to eat less of), although light and reduced fat ice cream and frozen yogurt can be smarter choices. Among these, ones labeled “slow churned” (aka “double churned” or “cold churned”) are processed in a way that lends them a creamier texture that’s more like “regular” ice cream. Again, look for no added sugar versions.

Make your Own

Try our delicious Raspberry Sherbet recipe. Its sweetness comes from CRYSTAL LIGHT Drink Mix; its creaminess from COOL WHIP LITE.

Keep Portions in Check

Order the smallest size serving available. When scooping from a carton, dish out a half-cup serving. Or buy single-serving frozen treats like ice pops.