If you enjoy eating a frozen treat every once in a while, you’re not alone. As many as 90% of all U.S. households regularly indulge in some kind of creamy, frozen treat from time to time. The air content in your favorite frozen dessert helps give it the light airy taste rather than it resembling a block of concrete. The more the air, the icier the texture is, the less the air the heavier and denser the texture is. Churning the air in with the mixture is what produces the treat that we call ice cream.
Besides ice cream, frozen yogurt is also a popular treat, especially in warm weather. Here’s everything you need to know about your favorite frozen desserts:
The Basics
Yogurt contains live cultures when eaten raw. Many times during the freezing process, these active cultures are killed. Some consumers eat yogurt with the belief that they are getting these live cultures when, in fact, they are not. Frozen yogurt does, however, contain active enzymes to help break it down easier. This makes it much easier to digest for those with a lactose intolerance. Yogurt contains similar amounts of calcium that ice cream does, but you might be surprised to find that the protein content of frozen yogurt tends to be much higher than what is found in ice cream.
Ice cream is high in calcium and needs less sugar to make it taste sweet. Yogurt has a tangy flavor which means more sugar is needed to make it sweet and take away the tangy taste. Since milk and cream are mixed together the end result is a creamier texture than what you find in frozen yogurt.
Frozen Dessert Production
Frozen yogurt is similar to ice cream and is made in a similar way. However, yogurt is the main ingredient rather than cream. It also contains more minerals that regular ice cream, and this can lead many to believe that it is a healthier alternative. Although frozen yogurt contains more minerals, it sometimes contains high amounts sugar to tame some of the tart taste.
Ice cream mostly contains milk and cream. Air is whipped into the milk and cream to produce the creamy cold dessert many have come to love. Ice cream is typically made up of 50% more air after churning when compared to other frozen treats. The average American will consume ice cream around 28.5 times this year.
Nutrition Facts
Many believe that ordering frozen yogurt cups instead of ice cream cups is a healthier choice. This can be true, but it is not always the case. There are certain benefits and drawbacks to each frozen treat. Carefully weigh your choices before indulging in your choice treat, and remember: no matter how healthy a treat might seem, overindulgence is never healthy. Be careful with those tasting spoons when you want something sweet to eat!
Which treat do you like best? Tell us about your favorite desserts and flavors in the comments below!