The frozen yogurt fever is still around. Is it a calorie bomb in disguise?
The frozen yogurt fever is still around. Is it a calorie bomb in disguise?
Jaclyn Reutens, a clinical dietitian from Aptima Nutrition & Sports Consultants, answers our burning questions.
IS FROYO HEALTHIER THAN ICE CREAM? Unlike ice cream, which is made with cream, frozen yogurt is made with yogurt. Cream is very high in calories, so frozen yogurt is the healthier option.
Comparing both, ice cream has double the amount of calories, 10 times more fat, and a slightly higher carbohydrate (sugar) content than frozen yogurt.
Froyo has another edge over ice cream: It contains probiotics.
HOW DOES FROYO COMPARE TO OTHER SNACKS? I consider froyo a healthier treat than sweets and cream cakes. Broadly speaking, I would classify it in the same snack category as cakes made with whole wheat flour and less sugar, as well as custards or puddings made with low-fat milk.
The healthiest snacks would be fresh fruit, wholegrain foods and vegetable sticks.
WHICH IS HEALTHIER: FROYO OR GREEK YOGURT? Compared to regular yogurt, Greek yogurt is higher in fat, especially saturated fat, but lower in carbs. The protein content is only slightly higher for Greek yogurt (4.7g versus 4.4g per 100g). Both calorie counts are similar.
If you have low-fat Greek yogurt with no sugar added, it will be a much better choice than frozen yogurt.
ANY TIPS TO AVOID EXCESSIVE CALORIES WHEN EATING FROYO? Stick to the smallest serve and limit your toppings to two types. Pick a fresh fruit for fibre and plain nuts for extra protein. For instance, slivered almonds are a better choice than chocolatecoated almonds.
Avoid toppings like chocolate syrup (or any syrup), granola, toasted muesli, oreo cookies and the like, as these are high in calories. You can have froyo up to twice a week. Each serving provides 150mg to 180mg of calcium.
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