How to Fit Ice Cream into a Heart-Healthy Diet (2024)

FAQs

How to Fit Ice Cream into a Heart-Healthy Diet? ›

Tips for Including Ice Cream In a Heart-Healthy Diet

Butter, cream and ice cream are not part of a heart-healthy diet and should only be eaten sometimes and in small amounts.

In its heart-healthy food guidelines, the American Heart Association (AHA) recommends choosing fat free or low fat ice cream with no more than 3 grams (g) of fat per 1/2 cup serving. However, people should also be aware of their sugar intake with these types of ice cream.

Reduce calories and saturated fat by choosing sorbet, frozen yogurt, gelato, or “light” ice cream. Be sure to check calories, fat, and sugar on the label, as added ingredients may increase calories even in lighter varieties. Choose other frozen treats, like fruit bars, to reduce fat.

A more liquid/puree diet is usually encouraged for the next few days e.g. clear or smooth soup, jelly, ice cream, milkshakes, pureed foods (no lumps). The doctor who performed the stent placement will give instructions on the type of diet recommended for you to progress onto.

Ice cream is still associated with negative health outcomes from high blood sugar. Eating ice cream won't improve your health, but in moderation it can be part of a healthy diet.

Slow churned ice cream is lower in fat and calories than regular ice cream, but not lower than frozen yogurt. Slow churned options use artificial sugar, which isn't always healthy for you.

Using lower-fat cheeses – such as mozzarella, feta, cottage cheese or reduced-fat cheeses – will provide less saturated fat.

Skinny Cow Ice Cream

And while they have less than half the fat, they still have nearly as much sugar and many artificial ingredients. "This is not health food," says Deppen.

Should heart patients eat ice cream? ›

Ice cream is high in sugar, calories, and saturated fat, so save it for a special treat. Eating foods loaded with fat and sugar leads to weight gain. It can also drive up your triglycerides and lead to a heart attack. Cut your calories and fat by choosing sorbet, low-fat or nonfat frozen yogurt, or frozen fruit bars.

High-glucose foods

“People that typically have a low blood sugar level are at higher risk for heart palpitations from eating high carbohydrate or sugar foods, such as bread, pasta, candies, cakes, or ice cream, because of the sudden spike in blood sugar levels they may cause,” she explains.

The cardiac diet aims to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. It prioritizes foods such as vegetables, whole grains, and oily fish. It also limits processed foods that are high in sugar and salt.

Products like ice cream, sour cream, cream cheese — almost anything made from milk — are high in cholesterol. Several studies have shown that the fat found in dairy can raise your LDL (“bad”) cholesterol level, so avoid eating these products on a regular basis.