Gelato vs. Ice Cream: Which One Is Healthier?

Ice cream and gelato are cold, sweet treats made with cream, milk, sugar, flavors, and sometimes eggs. The cream provides richness, while eggs enhance smoothness. Both also include emulsifiers, which stabilize the mixture but may have potential links to gut issues, though evidence in humans is limited.

Both desserts rely on air pockets created during the churning process, giving them their soft and light textures. However, they offer minimal nutritional benefits, containing only about 65 mg of calcium and 2-3 grams of protein per half cup—roughly 7% and 5% of daily adult requirements, respectively.

Air Content

• Ice Cream: Churned faster, incorporating more air, resulting in a fluffy and creamy texture.
• Gelato: Churned slower, creating a denser, richer texture with larger ice crystals, giving it a slightly coarser feel.

Fat Content

• Ice Cream: In Australia, must contain at least 10% milk fat. Flavors and brands often vary in fat content.
• Gelato: Typically lower in fat (4-9%), but this isn’t regulated, and recipes can differ significantly.

Sugar

• Gelato: May have slightly more sugar (3g more per half cup of vanilla gelato compared to ice cream).
• Overall: Nutritional differences between the two are minimal and vary by flavor and brand.

Which One Is Healthier?

Both are classified as "sometimes foods" due to added sugar and low nutrient content. Enjoy them in moderation and opt for smaller portions if you’re mindful of calories or sugar intake. Either can be a delightful treat when enjoyed responsibly.

Also, if you want, you can look for versions made with natural ingredients and fewer stabilizers or emulsifiers or consider sorbet or frozen yogurt as alternatives, which are often lower in fat (though not necessarily in sugar).

Source: The Conversation UK, November 27, 2024.