Frozen yogurt — the creamy treat America couldn’t get enough of in the ’80s, ’90s, and early 2000s — seems to be making a surprising resurgence.
Videos on TikTok devoted to it have been viewed millions of times, and new fro-yo shops are popping up and sometimes drawing lines around the country.
But even as the decades have passed, many of us are still vague on whether frozen yogurt is any healthier than ice cream, or whether the two treats are basically the same thing nutritionally. Here’s what to know before you pick up your spoon.
“With so many choices in the area of frozen desserts, the lines have blurred between ice cream and frozen yogurt,” says Julie Stefanski, RDN, a registered dietitian-nutritionist in Baltimore and a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
But there are some general differences between the two.
Ice Cream
Ice cream typically contains milk or cream (or a combo of the two), sweeteners, and flavorings.
For a dessert to be called “ice cream,” the U.S. Department of Agriculture requires it to contain at least 10 percent milk fat, either from milk or cream.
Commercially produced ice creams also may contain stabilizers to prevent ice crystals from forming and emulsifiers to keep the fat and water from separating during the freezing process, all to provide a smooth, creamy texture.
Frozen Yogurt
Frozen yogurt is often made from cultured milk, which means milk that has gone through a fermentation process through exposure to
live active cultures (“good” bacteria), says
Emily Villaseca, RDN, a registered dietitian-nutritionist in Dallas and the founder of Pass the Chia.
Like ice cream, frozen yogurt typically contains sweeteners and flavorings, as well as stabilizers and emulsifiers.
The freezing process and the addition of sweeteners often kills the live cultures, although pints from the supermarket are more likely to retain them than servings from a fro-yo shop.
Traditionally, frozen yogurt is lower in fat than ice cream (since it’s made from milk, not cream), Stefanski says. But recently, manufacturers have been making whole-milk frozen yogurt, and they sometimes include cream.
Nutrition Facts: Ice Cream vs. Frozen Yogurt
The exact nutritional makeup of ice cream and frozen yogurt varies by brand and flavor. Here’s a general idea of how they compare:
The exact nutritional makeup of ice cream and frozen yogurt varies by brand and flavor. Here’s a general idea of how they compare:
Does Fro-Yo Have More Protein Than Ice Cream?
Frozen yogurt typically has only slightly more protein than ice cream (less than 1 gram [g] difference per serving). That said, some brands are beginning to release Greek-style frozen yogurt, which may have slightly more protein (around 5 g per serving, compared with less than 3 g for regular fro-yo or ice cream).
“This is a tricky question,” Villaseca says. “Frozen yogurt may be lower in fat, but many options have just as much sugar as regular ice cream.” Some frozen yogurts contain more sugar than ice cream.
When choosing any frozen treat, Stefanski says to look at the calorie, fat, and sugar content and pick the one that aligns with your personal health goals.
“Any dessert is tasty because of its fat and sugar content, and we all know health recommendations usually advise limiting both of those,” Villaseca says.
Both ice cream and fro-yo can be part of a healthy diet, she emphasizes. “Being aware of what else you’re eating throughout the day, and how often you like to include either ice cream or fro-yo as a dessert, will make it easier for you to decide which is the healthiest option for you.”
Here’s some advice on how to experience this throwback treat in a healthy way.
- Pay attention to added sugar. Villaseca suggests choosing a fro-yo with no more than 10 g of added sugar per serving.
- Note the serving size. Stefanski suggests choosing a single-serving item, like a frozen yogurt pop, instead of haphazardly scooping from a carton or supersizing your swirl at the fro-yo shop.
- Choose toppings carefully. Opt for fresh fruit and nuts, which Villaseca says are “nutrient-dense.” Avoid candy, caramel, or chocolate sauce, which increase the sugar and calories.
- Eat slowly. “With desserts, sometimes the part you notice and enjoy the most is the first bite and the last bite,” Stefanski says. Savoring each bite will leave you more satisfied.
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