5 Ice Cream Parlor Calorie Cutting Tips

My son can’t wait to go to our local ice cream parlor when the weather gets warm. He thinks the main purpose of summer is to eat ice cream! Kids love a summer trip to the ice cream shop, but when I go I always worry about the extra calories we’re consuming, and wondering how that fits into our day.

Gloria Tsang, nutrition expert and founder of Health Castle has five tips to help you keep an eye on how many calories you’re consuming when you make a pit stop at the ice cream shop.

1. Know Your Cone: A cake cone has ~35 calories, a sugar cone has ~50 calories, and a waffle cone or bowl has ~110 – 160 calories. Chocolate dip adds at least 120 extra calories plus 8g of fat and trans fat.
2. Go Easy on Sauces: Hot fudge topping adds 150 extra calories plus trans fat. Hershey’s chocolate syrup adds 75 calories, and whip cream adds 45 calories.
3. Nix Bad Mix-ins: Fruits and nuts can add fiber or beneficial omega 3 fatty acids, but cookie dough and brownies only add calories and trans fat.
4. Make the Light Choice: Many ice cream parlors now offer light ice cream, frozen yogurt, and sorbet – sweet cold treats with less calories and fat, especially if you skip the cone.
5. Forget About Shakes: Ice cream parlor milkshakes generally contain 1,100 – 1,500 calories! Avoid them at all costs.

For most kids (and adults too), a trip to the ice cream parlor is a sure sign that summer is here. These simple tips can help you survive a summer full of trips to the ice cream shop without blowing your calorie budget.

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