Choosing a dessert can be a grueling decision, with so many delicious options available. In the frozen treat world there are two main types, frozen yogurt and ice cream. Both are widely popular and somewhat similar. While they do have some of the same qualities, these two desserts are very different.
Frozen Yogurt Facts
1. Basics
Frozen yogurt is a low calorie and low fat alternative to ice cream. It is made from yogurt that is frozen (obviously). The frozen yogurt crazy has been taking over the world the past 20 years and for some pretty great reasons. This delicious treat can be made in just about any flavor imaginable and jazzed up with some great toppings. It also boasts some great health benefits.
2. Nutrition
The exact calories and fat content in frozen yogurt depends largely on the flavor and brand. There are many fat free options that are available, as well as sugar free. For the purpose of this article we will be looking at normal strawberry frozen yogurt. A single cup serving of frozen yogurt has just around 200 calories and 2 grams of saturated fat. Calories and fat are not the only things that make up the nutrition of this frozen snack. Frozen yogurt also has calcium and 5 grams of protein.
3. Probiotics
One large benefit of regular yogurt that is sadly lost during the freezing process of frozen yogurts are probiotics. These are “good” bacteria that are naturally found in yogurt. They help to regulate the digestive system, lower the amount of “bad” infection causing bacteria in our bodies, and prevent yeast infections. When the yogurt is frozen the probiotics are lost due to their inability to survive at low temperatures.
4. Portion
While in moderation, frozen yogurt can be a guilt free frozen snack, there is one large thing that is rarely taken into account. Most frozen yogurt shops offer a “self serve” environment. The cups they give you to build you desert are usually very large. This inclines people to consume much more frozen yogurt than they should. The vast amount and variety of candy, cookies, sprinkles, and other sweet toppings also help frozen yogurt take the plunge into decadence.
Ice Cream Info
1. Basics
Ice cream is a delicious frozen dessert made from cream, sugar, and ice. Other flavorings are also added. Ice cream is the second best selling dessert in the entire world, only surpassed by cookies. The amount of flavors is endless and always growing.
2. How It’s Made
Ice cream is made with a mixture of cream and sugar that is churned around ice and frozen. Other flavorings are added of course, like vanilla or coco. Most of the ice cream we buy at the store also contains things like chemical stabilizers in order to improve shelf life and prevent the formation of ice crystals.
3. Nutrition
It is not secret that ice cream is not a health food, but that doesn’t mean it should be avoided at all costs. Ice cream contains a hefty amount of calcium, that is great for our bone and teeth health. It also has around 300 calories for a one cup serving of vanilla ice cream and 15 grams of fat. It also boasts 5 grams of protein.
Differences Between Frozen Yogurt and Ice Cream
1. Nutrition
Ice cram and frozen yogurt are very different when it comes to their nutritional values. Ice cream has just around 300 calories for a plain flavored, one cup serving. Frozen yogurt has only 200 for the same size. This difference in calories can add up depending on your potion size. Ice cream also has more fat than frozen yogurt, with 15 grams. Frozen yogurt has 2 grams of fat.
2. Taste
Taste and texture are also very different with these frozen treats. Frozen yogurt has a much lighter taste and is not nearly as creamy as ice cream. This is due to the amount of milk that is in each. This also accounts for the texture of each. Frozen yogurt is somewhat “icy” while ice cream is creamy.
3. Flavors
The flavors of ice cream and frozen yogurt are different for one important reason, mix ins. The flavors of frozen yogurt that are available in the stores are plain flavors like strawberry, majority of them do not have add in flavors like cookie dough. Ice cream, on the other hand, has an endless amount of flavors with insane add ins like candy bars and cookies.
4. Popularity
The popularity of ice cream and frozen yogurt is also very different. In recent years the frozen yogurt industry has experienced a boom, with tons of frozen yogurt shops popping up all over the world. Ice cream however, in timeless. It was most earliest recorded in the 1713 and has remained one of the most popular desserts ever since.