At one ice cream parlor, customers delight in the taste of their treat. But its creamy-rich ice cream contains lots of calories.
In search of tastier ice cream that's lower in fat and calories, Consumer Reports sampled 10 light and fat-free ice creams, including ones from Haagen-Dazs, Breyers, and Dreyer's.
"The term 'light' means a food that has one-third fewer calories or half the fat of a regular version," said Erin Gudeux, Consumer Reports.
Sensory panelists had the tough task of taste-testing six vanilla and four chocolate ice creams. One fat-free ice cream disappointed.
"Breyers Free Fat-Free Double Churn Creamy was gummy. And as with most fat-free foods, it doesn't necessarily offer real calorie savings," said Gudeux.
Haagen-Dazs Extra Rich Light Vanilla Bean and Dutch Chocolate were the clear winners.
"Both Haagen-Dazs vanilla and chocolate ice creams rated very good and they have big flavor. But Haagen-Dazs will hit you harder in the wallet," said Gudeux.
But compared to the other light ice creams tested, Haagen-Dazs has about twice the calories and fat and costs about twice as much.
A tasty runner-up was Breyers Double Churn Light Creamy vanilla and chocolate ice creams. They cost a lot less and have far fewer calories.
If you think you go through a gallon of ice cream faster these days, you are. Many ice cream companies are downsizing.
The traditional half-gallon carton, which equals two quarts, had shrunk to one and three-quarter quarts a while back. Consumer Reports says both Breyers and Dreyer's are smaller again down to one-and-a-half quarts.
