Gelato is often easier to digest than traditional ice cream because it's denser, has less air, and typically lower in fat, making it gentler on sensitive stomachs, but it can still be hard to digest if you're lactose intolerant or sensitive to dairy, sugar, or high fat content, leading to bloating, gas, or stomach pain. For some, simple, fresh ingredients in quality gelato are better than additives in mass-produced versions.
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.
Lactose intolerance is when you get symptoms, such as tummy pain, after eating food containing lactose, a sugar found in dairy products. The symptoms can be prevented by eating smaller portions of foods that contain lactose or avoiding them completely.
But did you know that prebiotics—special fibers that nourish beneficial gut bacteria—can be found in some of your favourite foods, including gelato? Prebiotics are special, non-digestible fibers that help “good” bacteria thrive in your gut, promoting better digestion, nutrient absorption, and a stronger immune system.
Don't Eat: Dairy
Milk, cheese, and ice cream are all no-no's with an upset stomach. They're hard for your body to digest, in part because they're high in fat. Plain, nonfat yogurt may be OK sometimes, but start with a little and see how it goes.
Cream, cheese, milk, butter, and other dairy products contain lactose, a type of sugar found in cow's milk. Unfortunately, that means that ice cream and pizza may not be your friends. Excess lactose can be difficult to digest and often causes gas, bloating, and diarrhea for those with IBS.
Processed foods: Low in fiber and high in unhealthy fats, these foods can slow digestion. Additives and preservatives may disrupt gut flora, and excess sodium can lead to dehydration. Red meat: High in fat and low in fiber, this protein can be harder to digest. Eating too much can also impact gut bacteria.
Milk and other foods that contain lactose, like cheese and ice cream, can cause gas and bloating in people who are lactose intolerant. About 70% of adults worldwide do not produce large amounts of lactase, an intestinal enzyme that helps break down the sugar in milk.
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.
May Contain Inflammation-Fighting Antioxidants
Gelato flavored with dark chocolate may be a high-antioxidant choice, for example. Dark chocolate contains powerful antioxidants that have been linked to reducing inflammation,3 possibly helping protect against heart disease.
Experts suggest eating any foods that contain added sugar and saturated fat, like ice cream, in a moderate and mindful way. In excess, these foods might displace nutritious choices in your diet and increase the risk of chronic conditions like heart disease, high cholesterol, obesity and diabetes over time.
Dairy products, including ice cream, can vary in tolerance among individuals with gastritis, so it's advisable to consume them in moderation and monitor for any adverse reactions.
If you're sensitive to dairy or have a lactose intolerance, traditional gelato might not be your best bet. The good news? There are plenty of delicious dairy-free alternatives that let you enjoy all the creamy, frozen goodness—without the downside.
When you have frequent GERD symptoms, like heartburn, eating high-fat dairy products like cheese can aggravate your symptoms. Furthermore, cold dairy products like ice cream can actually numb and inhibit the lower esophageal sphincter's function. As a result, stomach acid can backwash up into the esophagus much easier.
Both lactose-free and dairy-free ice creams are safe to eat on a low FODMAP diet, but double check with your nutritionist to be safe. There are a number of popular brands that sell both kinds of ice cream for IBS eaters, including Breyer's, Chapman's, Natrel, Ben & Jerry's, President's Choice, etc.
Description. Friendly's Forbidden Chocolate Ice Cream is a premium ice cream so delicious that you'll need a second scoop. With an indulgent, real chocolate flavor, this frozen ice cream tub comes with a perfectly creamy texture to satisfy every craving and celebrate every moment.
The Healthiest Ice Cream is Eclipse
Eclipse ice cream is plant-based (free of dairy and egg), non-GMO, free of most common allergens, and does not contain any preservatives or artificial colors, or flavors.
Since the ice cream is made and served in the polluted streets, the locals called sorbetes "dirty ice cream" as a joke. The nickname caught on, and it is now remembered as a delicious treat in the Philippines.
Dairy Products
Full-fat dairy products like cheese, milk, and ice cream are high in fat, which can be difficult to digest. Lactose can also be difficult for some people to digest and may cause constipation.
Beans. It's hardly a surprise to see beans atop the list of bloat-causing foods. After all, the legendary powers of this legume have even captured the attention of lyricists: Beans, beans, the musical fruit… Science is behind that tune, explains Czerwony.
Here are additional suggestions to decrease bloating:
The hardest foods to digest are typically fried and fatty foods, processed foods, and items high in certain fibers or sugars, like cruciferous vegetables, legumes, onions, garlic, and dairy (for the lactose intolerant), as well as red meat, due to their fat content, complex fibers (like cellulose in corn), or FODMAPs, slowing stomach emptying and potentially causing gas, bloating, or cramps.
The 7 Day Gut Reset is a clean-eating and lifestyle-based plan designed to: Eliminate common gut disruptors. Introduce healing, nourishing foods. Support your digestive system with hydration and rest. Improve the diversity of your gut bacteria.
Signs of bad gut health include digestive issues like bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, and heartburn; skin problems such as acne or eczema; mood changes like anxiety or depression; fatigue; sugar cravings; and unintentional weight changes, all stemming from an imbalance in your gut microbiome (dysbiosis). These symptoms can signal that your gut isn't processing food and eliminating waste effectively, impacting overall well-being, notes Healthdirect and GoodRx.