Frozen Yogurt vs. Ice Cream: Is One Healthier?

Frozen yogurt trends come and go. When I was in high school, the big yogurt shops were TCBY (The Country’s Best Yogurt), and I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt!

There is, or was, a health halo about frozen yogurt. Seinfeld television show addressed this in Season 5, Episode 7, The Non-Fat Yogurt. This episode aired in 1993 when people thought non-fat was equal to low-calorie. So, it was a non-fat yogurt free-for-all, with no-so-surprising results.

Frozen yogurt shops are popping up (or maybe never left) with Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt, Pinkberry, and many others.

For many people, the fun is serving the yogurt with many toppings. Who knows?

Whether you like frozen yogurt, prefer ice cream, or could go for either, they are both treats, usually with plenty of added sugar, plain or with toppings.

But when it comes to health, which one should you choose?

While yogurt has plenty of benefits – once we switch to the frozen version, is it as healthy?

The Battle of Nutrition Benefits:

I’ll start by acknowledging that frozen yogurt and ice cream are a treat, and we need to remember that these are not necessarily part of the dairy food group anymore. However, one of them might have an edge regarding nutritional value. And that brings us to our first contender: frozen yogurt.

Frozen Yogurt: The Slightly Healthier Option – Slightly

Frozen yogurt has gained popularity over the years as the “healthier” alternative to ice cream, pointing to its lower calorie and fat content than traditional ice cream. But does it live up to the hype?

A typical one-cup serving of vanilla frozen yogurt contains around 225 calories, just over 6 grams of fat, 5 grams saturated, and 34 grams of sugar. Now, don’t get too excited. While these calorie and fat numbers may seem lower than those of ice cream, the sugar is higher, and keep in mind that they can vary depending on the brand and specific ingredients used. In addition, some frozen yogurts may contain higher sugar content or added sweeteners to enhance the taste, so look at what your yogurt might have.

What gives frozen yogurt its healthy reputation is the presence of beneficial live cultures, also known as probiotics. These friendly bacteria help promote a healthy gut, aiding digestion and potentially boosting your immune system. The mere act of freezing yogurt doesn’t necessarily destroy these good bacteria, but there could be some collateral damage in the freezing process, but it isn’t often significant.

Ice Cream: The Classic

Now some people are steadfast in eating ice cream and not that hippie yogurt. Of course, no one will argue that it is healthy, but it does make people happy. And how can we take a birthday party seriously when they have cake and yogurt?

A cup of vanilla ice cream contains around 280 calories, 15 grams of fat, and 9 grams of saturated fat. Yep, those numbers are higher than frozen yogurt – but the sugar is lower here, just over 28 grams.

So, which frozen treat is genuinely the winner in the battle of healthiness? Does it matter?

Comparing the Nutrients:

Now, what are the Nutrition Facts of these two? As noted above, their calories, total fat, saturated fat, and sugar content differ. The list below compares the nutrients in a cup of vanilla frozen yogurt and vanilla ice cream for simplicity’s sake. Of course, other flavors will likely vary with different brands and even low-fat or low-sugar versions.

Vanilla Frozen Yogurt (1 cup):

- Calories: Around 225

- Fat: 6.3 grams

- Saturated Fat: 5 grams

- Sugar: 34 grams (includes both natural and added)

- Protein: 5 grams

- Calcium: 175 mg

Vanilla Ice Cream (1 cup):

- Calories: Around 280

- Fat: 15 grams

- Saturated Fat: 9 grams

- Sugar: 28.6 grams (includes both natural and added)

- Protein: 5 grams

- Calcium: 173 mg

As you can see, frozen yogurt takes the lead in fewer calories, less total fat, and less saturated fat. However, is it higher in sugar (though this did not distinguish between the naturally occurring sugar in lactose and added sugars that are part of nearly all frozen treats)?

However, the protein and calcium content are virtually the same. Remember that these numbers are for one cup, so more or less would change these numbers.

And remember that whether you choose frozen yogurt or ice cream, toppings tend to provide additional added sugars.

If you’re seeking a dessert option that’s slightly lower in calories and fat, with the potential added benefit of probiotics, frozen yogurt might be your go-to. On the other hand, ice cream wins if you’re in the mood for a classic, indulgent experience with a creamy texture and a wide range of flavors.

So, which frozen treat is genuinely the winner in the battle of healthiness? Does it matter? Choosing frozen yogurt or ice cream ultimately depends on your preferences and dietary goals. Once we are sitting down with a pint or more of either frozen yogurt or ice cream, portions are what matter. Enjoy what you like and enjoy in moderation.

Source for Nutrition Information: