For some of us, summers are synonymous with ice creams, gelatos, frozen desserts, and cold shakes. But with so many varieties available, it can get confusing to make healthy choices. So, let us ask you a question: how many of you pick frozen desserts overkulfi, and is one better than the other? Turns out yes, which is why dietitian Mac Singh stressed looking at the packaging of the foods you consume to understand more about their nutritional value.
“Whenever you go out to buy something, flip the packaging. First of all, check its ingredients label. Next, check the first three ingredients of the product — these are the ones that are present in most amounts. The ingredients that are mentioned last are present in the least amount,” he informed in a Facebook post.
On doing so, you will find that frozen desserts contain water in the most amount, followed by sugar, and palm oil, and no milk! They only contain milk solids, along with sugar (12 grams) in just 53 grams, he informed.
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Which one should you prefer? A dietitian has an answer (Source: Dietitian Mac Singh/Facebook)
Here’s a breakdown, according to Singh.
Palm oil:Palm oil is just one per cent better than trans fats. It has a lot of saturated fat that will only worsen your heart health, and will also lead to high cholesterol levels. Increased levels of bad or LDL cholesterol are responsible for clogging the arteries.
Frozen dessert packaging contains 10.2 per cent vegetable oil and vegetable protein product.
Milk solids:“Frozen desserts do not contain real milk. Milk solids or whole milk powder are likely to contain oxidised cholesterol, which may damage blood vessels and may be linked to heart diseases. So, it is certainly not healthy and not suitable for regular consumption,” said Singh.
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Also Read | You must try this super easy kulfi recipe
Liquid glucose:The source of sugar is synthetic, like- liquid glucose or inverted sugar syrup.
Vegetable soy protein, stabilisers, emulsifiers, artificial vanilla flavour and synthetic food colours are used as other ingredients.“The attractive colour of the ice cream or frozen dessert may appeal to many, but it comes from tartrazine i.e. artificial colouring agent,” he remarked.
On the other hand, kulfi is made up of just three ingredients.
*Full fat milk
*Cardamom powder
*Sugar
As such, it is important to “not get confused between an ice cream and a frozen dessert”.
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“Both of them are different; you need to be careful while buying packed ice cream as most brands sell frozen desserts as ‘ice cream’, which is both ethically and lawfully wrong. This is why, check the ingredients label. Real ice cream is mostly healthy as it is made of real milk and contains real nutrients. It is a complete food in itself. On the other hand, frozen desserts contain palm oil or hydrogenated fats as the main ingredient,” he added.
Agreed Garima Goyal, a registered dietitian, who said that the nutritional value of kulfi is comparatively due to the ingredients used in it. “The addition of kesar, badam, and nuts makes it more nourishing,” she told indianexpress.com.
On the other hand, the nutritional profile of frozen desserts is “highly diminished” due to the amount of saturated and trans fats present in it, she pointed out. “So, for a nutty and creamy treat, go for a kulfi and not frozen desserts. To make a better choice, start reading the nutritional label to identify what your food actually contains,” said Goyal.
When it comes to choosing between Kulfi and frozen desserts, it ultimately depends on individual preferences and dietary restrictions, said Dr Shahid Shafi, consultant, internal medicine, Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospital. “For example, kulfi may be a better option for those who are lactose intolerant or allergic to certain ingredients commonly found in frozen desserts, such as nuts or dairy. On the other hand, frozen desserts may be a better option for those looking for lower-fat or sugar-free options, as there are now many non-dairy and low-calorie frozen desserts available in the market,” he said.
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Having said that, from a nutritional standpoint, it’s important to keep in mind that kulfi and frozen desserts are both high in sugar and calories and should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet, added Dr Shafi. “Those with pre-existing health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or obesity should be especially cautious in consuming such desserts and may want to consult with a doctor or dietitian to determine the best options for their individual needs,” he said.
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