Dietitians reveal the surprising health benefits of ICE CREAM

Good news for Ben & Jerry’s lovers.

If you’re looking to fill up on dessert this Fourth of July weekend, ice cream might be the way to go.

Nutritionists say it has incredible health benefits, especially when compared to other snacks that have no nutritional value.

2/3 cup of dairy ice cream is a great source of calcium, which keeps bones and muscles strong.

And, depending on the brand, some ice cream servings contain around 6 grams of protein, which is the same amount as one egg.

The combination of protein and moderate fat helps slow the release of sugar into the bloodstream, preventing the sudden spikes in blood sugar associated with diabetes.

For example, candies such as Sour Patch Kids contain zero grams of fat and very little protein or fiber.

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All three slow the absorption of carbohydrates into the blood. Over time, repeated blood sugar spikes can lead to type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Ice cream is far from healthy: 2/3 cup of Ben & Jerry’s Brownie Delight, for example, contains half the recommended amount of saturated fat an adult should consume in a day.

While the blood sugar rise may be lower than eating candy, it’s still moderate and can be damaging over time.

One serving contains two-thirds of an adult’s daily recommended sugar intake. And most people don’t stop at one serving.

Still, nutritionist Shelley Bowles Yahoo Life Ice cream is a better option than other less nutritious desserts.

She noted that two-thirds of a cup of dairy ice cream contains about 12 percent of the recommended daily calcium intake.

“Calcium is a nutrient that is typically under-received in the American diet,” she said, “so it’s great to know that you can get nutritional benefits from eating something sweet as well.”

Nutritionist Stephanie van’t Zelfden tells Yahoo Life that a combination of moderate fat and protein is a good option for people with diabetes.

Combining fat and protein with sugar “reduces the blood sugar spike you see when eating a low-fat dessert like sorbet,” she said.