In this time of rampant obesity and constant dieting for many, consumers often seek indulgent dessert goodies with the 'sugar-free' moniker, hoping that these products will help them stay trim or lose weight.
The industry has responded with a flood of new products to meet the rising demand. People have eaten ice cream for generations as a feel-good treat, and because ice cream is normally a fatty, sugary mess of calories, the ice cream market has seen a surge in sugar-free and diet offerings.
A great many of these products are loaded with artificial sugars and sweeteners, which, far from producing weight loss, can harm metabolism because of their toxic effects on the nervous system and on fatty tissue.
Under the influence of artificial sweeteners, the body?s ability to generate heat and metabolic energy diminishes. Animals fed these harmful chemicals gain more weight than animals fed real sugar.
Other ingredients in 'diet' and 'sugar-free' products also cause health problems. Many of the products also contain trans fats, which cannot be properly broken down in the body, and contribute to heart disease.
Fortunately, a few intrepid specialty ice cream makers have come up with some healthier ice cream made from real, whole food ingredients and natural flavorings, with no added sugar.
What to Look for
The best sugar-free ice cream products contain no artificial ingredients of any kind, and are sweetened with either stevia or luo han, a very sweet non-caloric Chinese herb. Organic milk creates a more nutritious and healthy product, because it lacks the antibiotic and pesticide residues found in conventional milk products.
For the true healthy food connoisseurs, a tiny number of organic raw milk products can be found in certain markets. For example, in California, where raw milk maintains legality, raw milk ice creams are available, some sweetened with stevia. You'll have to look hard to find these, however.
Of course, ice cream may be made entirely without milk. Creative chefs have devised a number of dairy-free alternatives, some with ingredients like almond milk or coconut butter as an alternative. These versions are excellent choices. Though they may be slightly high in fat, the fats present digest easily and provide additional benefits versus milk fats.
Common Pitfalls
No diet products will be beneficial if used in excess. Consumers often see the sugar-free, fat-free, or other 'healthy' label as an excuse to binge on these products.
The key decision to consume moderately often begins at the point of purchase. Instead of selecting the jumbo economy size because it's a good deal, choose the smallest portion available, and keep less on hand. You can manage portion sizes and keep from binging by not having it around you.
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