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Dietitians reveal the surprising health benefits of ICE CREAM
Good news for Ben and Jerry's lovers.
If you're going to pig out on dessert this July 4th weekend, you might want to make it ice cream.
Dietitians say that there are surprising health benefits, especially when compared to other nutritionally-void sweets.
A serving of two-thirds of a cup of dairy ice cream is a good source of calcium — which keeps bones and muscles strong.
And depending on the brand, some ice creams provide about six grams of protein per serving, which is the same amount in an egg.
Dietitians say if you're going to pig out on dessert this July 4th weekend, you might want to make it ice cream.
The combination of protein and moderate levels of fat also slows the release of sugar into the blood, which prevents sharp spikes in blood glucose linked to diabetes.
Candies such as Sour Patch Kids, for example, have 0 gram of fat and virtually no protein or fiber.
All three of these delay the absorption of carbs into the blood. Over time, repeated blood-sugar spikes can lead to type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Ice cream is by no means healthy. For example, a serving of two-thirds of a cup of Ben and Jerry's Brownie Delight contains half of the recommended amount of saturated fat for an adult in an entire day.
And while the spike to blood sugar might be lower than consuming candy, it is still moderate and can cause damage over time.
A single serving also contains two-thirds of an adult's recommended daily sugar intake. And most people don't just stop at one serving.
Still, dietitian Shelley Balls told Yahoo Life that ice cream reigns supreme over other less nutritious desserts.
She pointed out a serving of two-thirds of a cup of dairy ice cream contains about 12 percent of the daily recommended amount of calcium.
Who else overate this Independence Day?
She said: 'Calcium is typically a nutrient that is under-consumed in the American eating pattern, so it's great news that when we decide to enjoy a sweet treat, it can also provide some nutritional benefits.'
Dietitian Stephanie Van't Zelfden told Yahoo Life that the combination of moderate fat and protein made it a good option for diabetics.
Combining fat and protein with sugar 'reduces blood sugar spikes that you might see when eating lower fat desserts like sorbet,' she said.