Ice Cream's Major Nutrients

An ice cream cone dripping with your favorite flavor is a summertime treat that would be difficult to give up. While you certainly should not eat ice cream every day, an occasional serving will supply you with some key nutrients that your body needs. Gail Damerow notes in her book "Ice Cream!: The Whole Scoop" that occasionally eating ice cream is unlikely to damage your health, and ice cream can be a healthier dessert choice than cake, cookies and pie.

Calcium

The most notable nutrient you will get from a serving of ice cream is calcium. Calcium is most well-known for its contribution to healthy, strong teeth and bones, but your body also requires calcium for the function of your nerves and muscles, as well as for proper hormone secretion. Adults need between 1,000 mg and 1,300 mg of calcium each day, and a 1/2-cup serving of vanilla ice cream supplies you with 84 mg. The same amount of chocolate ice cream contains 72 mg, and a 1/2 cup of strawberry supplies 79 mg.

Vitamin A

Most dairy products, including ice cream, supply you with a portion of the vitamin A you need as part of your daily diet. Vitamin A plays contributes to the health of your eyes, as well as your white blood cells and bones. Vitamin A is also crucial for proper cell division. Adult women need about 2,333 IU each day and adult men need 3,000 IU. A 1/2 cup of vanilla ice cream contains 278 IU. Chocolate ice cream supplies 275 IU, and strawberry contains 211 IU.

VItamin D

Vitamin D is a key nutrient because it works cooperatively with calcium to help your bones and teeth absorb the calcium necessary for the proper health of these body parts. The Harvard School of Public Health reports that a vitamin D deficiency may lead to rickets, which is softening of the bones, as well as heart disease, cancer and multiple sclerosis. Low-fat dairy foods are nutritious sources of vitamin D, but an occasional 1/2-cup serving of ice cream will also supply a small amount, with 5 IU of the 600 IU you need each day.

Potassium

The occasional ice cream treat will also provide your body with potassium. Potassium is a key mineral that contributes to a healthy heart, as well as healthy muscles and nerves, the University of Maryland Medical Center reports. You do not need to eat ice cream to get enough potassium in your diet because fruits and vegetables are healthier sources and supply more of this nutrient. Eating a 1/2-cup serving of ice cream will provide you with additional potassium, with 131 mg in vanilla, 164 mg in chocolate and 124 mg in strawberry.