Gelato's high-fat content may also be problematic for health. Too much saturated fat in the diet can raise cholesterol, potentially increasing your risk of heart disease and stroke. 6 Again, it is best to reserve gelato as a here-and-there treat.
Dairy. Products like ice cream, sour cream, cream cheese — almost anything made from milk — are high in cholesterol. Several studies have shown that the fat found in dairy can raise your LDL (“bad”) cholesterol level, so avoid eating these products on a regular basis.
Gelato is healthier for you.
SFGate reports that while ice cream has 14 to 17 percent milkfat, gelato contains just 3 to 8 percent. That's because ice cream uses lots of heavy cream, while gelato uses milk. Gelato also uses far fewer egg yolks than ice cream—in some cases none at all.
Even if you have a sweet tooth, try not to eat gelato more than twice a week so that you keep your simple sugar intake down.
Gelato is considered a healthy dessert for a variety of reasons. The most obvious is it's made from natural ingredients. From fresh hazelnuts and pistachios to the milk and water, gelato contains ingredients that are all found in nature. Each ingredient in gelato contributes to its overall nutritional value.
Energy Boost! First of all, mineral salts, vitamins A, B6, B12, D and E, phosphorus and calcium, make artisanal gelato an excellent strengthener for the bones and for the immune system.
A nice strawberry or lemon cone, in fact, provides about 60/65 calories per 100 grams, while for the same amount, chocolate gelato or creme gelato have a calorific content of about 240 kcal: a clear difference! Another tip is related to the difference between a packaged gelato and a handmade one.
Although frozen yogurt is commonly used as a healthier alternative to ice cream, Rouse adds that it's not the best option for lowering cholesterol either. "You might think that frozen yogurt may be a better alternative since it's low in fat, but it's very high in sugar," Rouse says.
Eating too much saturated fat or trans fats can result in unhealthy cholesterol levels. Saturated fats are found in fatty cuts of meat and full-fat dairy products. Trans fats are often found in packaged snacks or desserts.
Is it healthy? In moderation. Because it uses more milk but less cream than ice cream, gelato contains less fat, and around 25% less calories. However, neither one is what you'd consider a low-calorie food.
Like many other fruits and vegetables, avocados have no cholesterol. Healthy avocados also contain good fats and can improve your intake of dietary fat, which in moderation helps with nutrient absorption, without raising LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels.
Gelato contains added sugars (saccharose, glucose, fructose), as well as those in milk (lactose) and fruit (fructose). As long as you follow a few simple rules, however, even diabetics can enjoy a good hand-made gelato.
The Healthiest Choice
Gelato has more calories and fats, which makes people feel satisfied in smaller portion servings. On the other hand, sorbet does not contain fats, but have lesser calories, making you want to eat more.
Nutritionally, yogurt also trounces ice cream by far. Fro yo contains carbohydrates, protein and vitamins, all in higher quantities than ice cream, and it also packs a healthy dose of calcium which aids in strengthening bones, keeping the heart in good shape, and also helps in losing weight. 4.
Although it's lower in fat than ice cream, gelato is still an ultra-processed food high in added sugars, calories, and questionable ingredients. Here are four of the unhealthiest gelatos you'll find on grocery shelves.
We can say that gelato is healthier than ice cream as it contains less sugar and fat. As explained above, ice cream has 14 to 17 percent milkfat; gelato contains just 3 to 8 percent milkfat.
Made using less air and more milk, gelato is much silkier in texture and richer in flavor. Because of the way gelato is made, it also contains less butterfat and fewer calories overall.
USDA regulations state that ice cream must contain at least 10 percent butterfat. Mot brands have between 14 and 25 percent. Meanwhile, Italian gelato includes only about 4 to 9 percent fat. Because there's less butterfat coating your palate, gelato's flavors tend to taste more intense.
Calorie- and fat-wise, gelato contains low amounts as compared to ice cream. However, it contains higher total carbohydrates. If people can pay for the higher carb content, then this might be a good alternative for them.
"There is a lot less air churned into gelato than into American ice cream, [a process] known as overrun," Morano says. American ice cream can be up to 50 percent air. Air makes it soft and fluffy. Since gelato has less butterfat, the mixture is light to begin with.