Sales of ice cream are expected to top four billion dollars this year. That’s a lot of scoops. But what if you want to cut back on calories? Consumer Reports just pitted several full-fat ice creams against their lighter versions to see how they compare.
Consumer Reports taste tested three favorite flavors, the light versions as well as the full fat. Included were Ben and Jerry’s Phish Food, Breyers Butter Pecan, and Edy’s Mint Chocolate chip.
Consumer Reports also evaluated Haagen-Dazs coffee ice cream and Haagen-Dazs Five, its new, reduced-fat counterpart.
Erin Gudeux, of Consumer Reports, says “Technically, the Haagen-Dazs Five is not a light ice cream because in order to qualify for that label, it has to have a third fewer calories or half the fat of the full-fat version. But it does have a third less fat than the regular Haagen-Dazs.”
As for the taste, testers were impressed. Haagen-Dazs Five is even denser and creamier than the regular version! And the three light ice creams impressed testers as well.
“They weren’t exactly the same as the regular version, but the testers said all three were quite tasty and flavorful.”
If you’re trying to count calories Consumer Reports says your two best light bets are Breyers and Edy’s. Edy’s Slow Churned Mint Chocolate Chip was minty with lots of delicious chocolate chips.
While it was a little gummy, overall, it was still very good. And the Breyers Light ice cream was even better.
“The Breyers Smooth and Dreamy Butter Pecan is sweeter and tastes more buttery than the regular version.”
Sweeter, yet both these ice creams cost less than half as much as the Haagen Dazs and Ben and Jerry’s.
Consumer Reports says the claim “light” can be a little confusing. Among the light ice creams, testers found a difference of as much as 90 calories per serving. So if you’re trying to lose weight always check the nutrition information before you buy.
