Frozen Yogurt & Ice Cream: Who is the Winner?

Today things are about to get heated, pretty strange for a blog on frozen treats, right? Well, we’re all about keeping things interesting – from our unique natural ice cream flavors to the topics that we like to debate. Which brings us to the reason for this post, in the battle of frozen yogurt v/s ice cream, who reigns supreme?

The answer to this question will depend on who you ask. Some people are of the opinion that yogurt is healthier than ice cream, and therefore the frozen version must be too.

The realists out there will lean more towards the idea that the ingredients used will determine which is healthier. This can then further divide people as different ingredients are used to make ice cream than what is used to make yogurt, bringing us all of the way back to square one.

So, which frozen treat is truly the better option? Let’s find out by looking at the difference between frozen yogurt and ice cream to find out if yogurt is healthier than ice cream or vice versa.

What Makes Each Frozen Treat So Unique?

To the naked eye, frozen yogurt and ice cream may look fairly similar and are made using dairy and sugar as the base ingredients, however, the two products couldn’t be more different.

Let’s take a look at ice cream first:

1. Made using cream that is whipped as well as eggs to form the custard base.
2. Not limited to dairy products laden with fat
3. Plant-based products are available

A simple ice cream recipe:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups chilled heavy whipping cream
• 400ml condensed milk, chilled
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Method:

1. Start by whipping the cream in a medium-sized bowl until soft peaks form.
2. Pour in the chilled condensed milk and whip the mixture on high until stiff peaks form.
3. Stir in the vanilla extract or any other flavor or ingredient that you would like to add.
4. Freeze for 6 hours and enjoy!

Now, let’s compare all of that to the humble frozen yogurt:

1. Features probiotics
2. Often has a lower level of fat
3. Made using cultured milk
4. May contain more sugar to balance out the tangy flavor

A simple frozen yogurt recipe:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups full-fat Greek yogurt
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• ¼ cup honey

Method:

1. Add the ingredients to the bowl of a food processor and blitz until light and fluffy.
2. Pour the mixture into a glass baking dish and cover with cling wrap. Freeze for 45 minutes.
3. Remove from the freezer and mix the yogurt to combine the frozen edges and liquid center. Freeze for 2 hours.
4. Remove from the freezer and mix the yogurt to combine the frozen edges and liquid center. Freeze for 30 minutes and then repeat the process of removing and stirring until the mixture is completely frozen.
5. Serve immediately for a softer scoop or leave to freeze for 2 more hours for a firmer scoop.

The Main Differences Between Ice Cream And Froyo Include:

• Fat: Ice cream needs to contain a minimum of 10% milk fat while yogurt generally contains between 3 and 6%. This can differ if we consider low-fat options.
• Probiotics: Fermented pasteurized milk is used to culture the milk and create frozen yogurt. Ice cream does not contain probiotics.
• Regulation: Ice cream has certain requirements for it to be labeled as such, frozen yogurt on the other hand does not need to meet any set requirements.
• Production: The ice cream mixture is churned while frozen yogurt first needs to cool and ferment before it is frozen.

The Waistline Difference, What Is The Nutrient Breakdown Of Each Treat?

The exact figure for this will of course differ based on the product in question as well as the ingredients used in making the specific flavor.

What we can, however, share is that on average the nutritional differences between froyo and ice cream are as follows:

The Cold Hard Truth

When it comes to choosing a superior frozen treat, it starts by looking for a trusted brand that knows how to deliver a healthier treat. Nature’s Organic fits the mold here, delivering tasty treats that are additive and preservative-free. Everything used in making organic ice cream is produced locally.

This means that you know exactly where it comes from, what it’s made of, and that it’s of the best quality ingredients possible. Based on this, we are of the opinion that ice cream can be a more delicious, somewhat healthier option when compared to frozen yogurt. The truth is, it will differ from brand to brand, so always be sure to read the label before making a purchase.

Something else worth noting is that both froyo and ice cream should be consumed in moderation and form part of a healthy diet.

To figure it out for yourself and find the best frozen yogurt and ice cream near you, why not visit our online store to discover our wide range of organic ice cream flavors. We offer 10% off the first order as well as free delivery for orders over $45 in the SF area.