Neither gelato nor ice cream is objectively "better"—it depends on preference, as gelato offers a denser, richer flavor with less fat due to more milk and slower churning, served warmer for silkier texture, while ice cream is airier, fluffier, higher in cream/fat, and typically served colder. Gelato often highlights pure ingredients, while ice cream can be lighter; both can be part of a balanced diet, but gelato's lower fat content can make it feel like a lighter indulgence with more flavor per bite.
Easily Digestible
Thanks to its unique Italian-style churning process, New York gelato has a denser yet softer texture, making it easier to digest compared to traditional ice cream. If you're someone who experiences discomfort after consuming dairy products, gelato might be a more suitable option for you.
The "healthiest" ice cream often means lower calories, sugar, and fat, with popular low-cal/high-protein options including Halo Top, Enlightened, and Yasso (Greek yogurt bars), while Breyers No Sugar Added is a good choice for sugar-free, and sorbets or dairy-free alternatives (almond/oat milk) offer lower fat/dairy-free benefits. The best choice depends on your goals (protein, low sugar, dairy-free), but always check nutrition labels for real ingredients and watch out for excessive toppings.
The unhealthiest ice creams are typically rich, indulgent flavors from brands like Ben & Jerry's and Häagen-Dazs, featuring high amounts of sugar, saturated fat, and calories from mix-ins like fudge, caramel, and candy, with flavors like Ben & Jerry's "Chunky Monkey" or"Peanut Butter Cup" often topping lists due to their extreme sugar and calorie counts per serving. Beyond specific brands, ice creams with artificial colors, flavors, and emulsifiers, along with excessive added sugars and unhealthy fats, should be avoided for better health.
Top 3 Healthiest Ice-Cream Brands! (and best rated flavors) 1: Edy's Slow Churned (Coffee) 2: Breyers Natural (Vanilla) 3: Halo Top (Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough) Anyone try these brands?
The Label Change No One Told You About
But Breyer's and others began swapping out dairy for cheaper ingredients. As a result, they no longer meet the criteria — and are now labeled “frozen dairy dessert” [1]. This isn't a branding decision. It's regulatory.
10 Healthy Alternatives To Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth
Pick ice cream brands like Häagen-Dazs and Ben & Jerry's for real ingredients. They use easy recipes and do not add fake stuff. Check labels closely. Find short lists with words you know like milk, cream, and sugar to make sure it is good.
5 Healthiest Ice Creams for Less Fat and More Flavor
Cons of Eating Frozen Desserts
Gelato is high in sugar, which can contribute to weight gain, blood sugar spikes, and increased risk of metabolic issues when consumed in excess. A half cup serving of gelato typically contains around 150-200 calories, 6-8 grams of fat, and 20-25 grams of sugar.
What Are the Most Popular Gelato Flavors?
The lower calorie and fat content of gelato make it a good choice when losing weight since it typically has fewer calories and fat than regular ice cream. Just don't forget that portion control is still critical!
What About Supermarket "Gelato"? There are two reasons gelateria-style gelato isn't sold in a grocery store: the temperature of the freezer and the the time spent at that temperature.
A typical serving of gelato is lower in fat than traditional ice cream, and contains between 150-200 calories per serving compared to the whopping 520 calories per serving ice cream dolls out.
"When in Rome... eat lots of gelato!" If you're heading to Rome, one thing you absolutely have to do is try gelato – the Italian version of ice cream. Gelato literally means “frozen” in Italian. And in this post, we're going to help you find the best gelato in Rome.
At Chick-fil-A Mentor we are celebrating our Ice DREAM🍨 Did you know our Ice Dream is not legally considered ice cream because it lacks butterfat and has more air than a regular serving of vanilla soft serve?
An's gelato has been featured in Thrillist, Eater, USA Today, Forbes, San Diego Magazine, Zagat, and more. Our gelato has won best in San Diego and we were named the #1 ice cream shop in America by USA Today's 10best two years in a row.
Walmart's Great Value ice cream is made by the Iowa-based creamery, Wells Enterprises. According to a product spotlight on Walmart's website, the company, also known as Wells Dairy, has been the manufacturer behind Great Value ice cream for three decades. But Walmart's ice cream isn't the only brand it's churning out.
It's also possible that your body is trying to balance out the sugar-heavy treat by getting some water into your system. Surprisingly, many ice creams also contain a decent amount of salt, which can also leave you craving water.
To lose weight in two weeks, you should eat in a calorie deficit, and ensure the foods you do eat is made up of fruits, vegetables and high-fiber options. You should reduce your intake of processed, carb-heavy foods like cookies, chips and soda.
The 20-minute rule for eating is a mindful eating strategy suggesting it takes your brain about 20 minutes to receive signals from your stomach that you're full, so eating slowly (aiming for 20+ minutes per meal) helps prevent overeating by giving your body time to recognize satiety, often involving chewing thoroughly and pausing between bites to align consumption with natural fullness cues. It also means waiting 20 minutes before reaching for seconds to truly gauge your hunger.
The number one selling ice cream flavor globally and in the U.S. is consistently Vanilla, prized for its versatility, followed by Chocolate and Strawberry, with Butter Pecan and Cookie Dough also highly popular. While specific brands vary, vanilla remains the top choice for tubs, while popular novelties include items like Golden Gaytime and Drumstick in markets like Australia, though brands like Ben & Jerry's lead in overall popularity in some regions.
Breyer's, is no longer ice cream. It now legally has to be called Frozen Dessert, as it is 50% air, and has only a tiny percentage of actual milk or cream. The replacement ingredient is of course, corn syrup and ethylene glycol for 'smoothness' which is also why it doesn't melt.
A fifth-generation family business in Philadelphia, Bassetts Ice Cream is proudly known as America's oldest ice cream company. This full-service frozen dessert distributor exclusively uses Pennsylvania milk in its products, and distributes ice cream around the nation and the world.