Ice cream is a delicious frozen dessert that comes in many flavors. Two popular varieties are regular ice cream and ice cream made with avocado. Avocados are rich in healthy fats and nutrients. This leads some people to believe that avocado ice cream is a healthier choice. But is this really the case? Here we will compare avocado ice cream and regular ice cream to see which one is healthier.
Calories and Fat
When comparing the nutritional contents of avocado ice cream and regular ice cream, one of the first things to look at is calories and fat.
| Ice Cream (1/2 cup serving) | Calories | Total Fat (g) |
|---|---|---|
| Regular vanilla | 137 | 7 |
| Avocado | 136 | 8 |
As you can see from the table, avocado ice cream has nearly the same amount of calories and total fat as regular ice cream. While avocados themselves are high in monounsaturated fats, which are healthy fats, once they are made into ice cream the fat content ends up being similar to regular ice cream. So in terms of calories and total fat, avocado ice cream does not have a significant advantage.
Sugar Content
Another important nutrition factor to consider is the sugar content. Sugar can cause spikes and crashes in energy levels and contribute to weight gain if consumed in excess.
| Ice Cream (1/2 cup serving) | Sugar (g) |
|---|---|
| Regular vanilla | 13 |
| Avocado | 12 |
Again, there is little difference here. Both regular and avocado ice cream have around 12-13 grams of sugar per serving. The natural sugars from the avocado do not provide a significant reduction compared to regular ice cream.
Protein Content
Getting adequate protein is important for maintaining muscle mass and keeping you feeling full. Let’s see how the two ice creams compare:
| Ice Cream (1/2 cup serving) | Protein (g) |
|---|---|
| Regular vanilla | 3 |
| Avocado | 2 |
Regular ice cream has a slight edge with 3 grams of protein per serving compared to 2 grams in avocado ice cream. The avocado does not provide much protein on its own.
Vitamins and Minerals
One area where avocado ice cream may have an advantage is in vitamins and minerals. Avocados contain vitamins C, E, K, and B vitamins, along with minerals like potassium and magnesium.
Some of these nutrients may be retained after making ice cream, giving it more nutritional value compared to regular ice cream which does not contain significant vitamins or minerals. However, the processing and freezing may also cause some loss of these heat-sensitive nutrients in avocado ice cream.
Overall, while avocado ice cream may contain more vitamins and minerals, the amount is unlikely to be very high in the final product. So this advantage may be minimal.
Healthy Fats
As mentioned earlier, avocados are high in monounsaturated fats like oleic acid. These are considered heart-healthy fats that can help lower cholesterol when consumed in moderation.
Regular ice cream is higher in saturated fat and trans fats, which are less healthy for the heart. So theoretically, avocado ice cream retains some of the healthy fat profile from the fresh fruit.
However, when looking at the nutrition labels, both types of ice cream contain around 8 grams of total fat per serving. So despite the source of the fats, the quantity ends up being similar. Eating a lot of any ice cream can potentially increase bad cholesterol levels.
Fiber Content
Fiber is important for digestion and feeds the healthy bacteria in your gut. Avocados are high in fiber, providing around 10% of the daily value per fruit.
So you might expect avocado ice cream to have more fiber than regular varieties. However, most of the fiber is lost in processing the avocado into ice cream. The final product has Glycemic Index
The glycemic index (GI) measures how quickly a food causes spikes in blood sugar. A lower GI is better for controlling blood sugar and appetite.
Since avocados have a very low GI, you might assume avocado ice cream would as well. But surprisingly, both regular and avocado ice cream have a GI around 50, which is considered a moderate glycemic load food.
The sugars and other ingredients added to make the ice cream increase the GI relative to plain avocado fruit. So the glycemic benefit is minimal.
Taste and Texture
Taste and texture are also important considerations when choosing between ice cream options. Here is how avocado and regular ice cream compare in these sensory areas:
Taste: Avocado ice cream has a richer, more creamy flavor. But it lacks the sweetness of regular ice cream. Some people enjoy the subtle avocado flavor, while others find it unappealing or bitter.
Texture: Avocado ice cream has a thicker, creamier mouthfeel thanks to the healthy fats. Regular ice cream tends to have a lighter, fluffier texture. Personal preference will determine which texture you find more desirable.
So in terms of taste and texture, there are tradeoffs between the two varieties. Your personal palate will dictate which you find more satisfying.
Cost Difference
One other factor that may sway your decision is cost. Here is how the prices of these two ice creams compare:
| Ice Cream | Average Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| Regular vanilla | $4.99 per pint |
| Avocado | $5.99 per pint |
On average, avocado ice cream costs about $1 more per pint than conventional ice cream. This is because fresh avocados are more expensive than regular ice cream ingredients like milk and cream. The high cost of avocados gets passed on to consumers.
While it’s not a huge price difference, the extra dollar per pint is something to keep in mind if you are buying ice cream frequently or shopping on a tight budget. Over time, the extra cost could add up.
Conclusion
So in summary, is avocado ice cream really healthier than regular ice cream?
The evidence shows that any potential health advantages of avocado ice cream are quite small. While avocados themselves are nutritious, most of the nutritional benefits are lost once processed into ice cream.
At the end of the day, both regular and avocado ice cream are still ice cream. They are high calorie treats that should be eaten in moderation. From a health perspective, you’re better off eating plain avocado fruit rather than the ice cream version.
If you enjoy the rich flavor of avocado ice cream and don’t mind paying a bit more for it, then there’s no harm in occasionally treating yourself. But don’t be fooled into thinking it’s a nutritious alternative to regular ice cream.
In reality, avocado ice cream provides minimal health advantage and should be viewed as an occasional indulgence just like other ice creams. Moderation and variety are key when enjoying any dessert.