Ice cream originated in China around 2,000 B.C. At its inception, his cold and tasty treat was more like a snow cone; made from fresh mountain snow, flavored with varieties of fruit nectar and sweetened with natural honey. The smooth, rich and creamy dessert we call ice cream was concocted in Europe in the 17th century and appeared in the United States in the early 18th century.

Ice cream is usually a milk-based dessert made from dairy products, such as milk and cream, combined with fruits or other ingredients and multitude of flavors. Most ice cream varieties contain sugar, although some are made with other types of sweeteners. In today’s world of ice cream there are many flavors to choose from and many ways to consume it. Ice cream can be scooped into a dish, onto a cone, dropped into soda, or mixed with milk to create a creamy milk shake.

In its infancy, ice cream was considered a special treat reserved for those of wealth, whereas today, a bowl of ice cream is something many of us enjoy daily.  Is there anything wrong with consuming ice cream daily? It depends.

Have you ever taken the time to look at the nutrition label for ice cream? Most of us would be surprised to learn that the appropriate “serving size” is a ½ cup! Let’s put that into perspective: a ½ cup is the size of two golf balls, or about the size of a small scoop from your local ice cream store.

The next item on the label will depend on whether you’re purchasing premium, light or fat-free ice cream. Ice cream calories can range from 90 to 300, with saturated fat content ranging from 0 grams to 10 grams, which is equal to more than half your recommended daily portion. So, depending on the type of ice cream you choose and the amount you consume, you could make this treat work into a healthy food plan; it’s your choice.

My recommendation on eating ice cream comes down to how often do you want to enjoy it. If often, you may want to focus on portion control and ice-cream type, such as light.

If it’s an occasional, special treat, choose your favorite but consider an appropriate serving size. If find it difficult to maintain a healthy serving size at home, decide to take the easy route by visiting an ice cream shop where you can use your will power to order a small portion.

Enjoy!