If there was one meal we could eat every day and not get sick of, it would have to be ice cream, and if it didn’t pack on so many pounds, we’d eat it in the morning as well.
One of the lesser-known holidays on the calendar, but still important nonetheless, Ice Cream for Breakfast Day celebrates just that, and it’s held each year on February 22nd.
So, should you eat ice cream for breakfast?
Some studies have been done into eating ice cream for breakfast and found that it can boost mental performance but eating something laden with sugar is probably not ideal. However, there might be ways to still enjoy ice cream in the morning and not get the negatives.
Today’s ice cream flavors and recipes are so diverse that there are ways to incorporate the sweet treat into your morning routine without the guilt.
We’ll look at the concept of ice cream for breakfast and whether it’s possible, so you can indulge yourself now and then whenever you feel like it.
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Is Ice Cream Really Bad for You?
On the scale of healthy foods, ice cream doesn’t come close to being anywhere near the top, and traditionally it’s been known as one of the worst.
Along with being high in sugar, fat, and calories, it’s also got some other potentially dangerous ingredients, like the bacteria listeria.
Ice cream contains products like trehalose which helps give it the texture and sweetness it’s famous for but can also contain some bad gut bacteria.
If you’re planning on eating store-bought ice cream every day, we would advise you otherwise and prefer it if you stuck to it as a treat every now and then.
However, with all of the bad stuff covered, there are also benefits to starting your day with a bowl of your favorite flavor ice cream.
Firstly, you’ll get a huge boost of serotonin, which is the neurotransmitter that we call the feel-good hormone, and likely feel pretty happy while doing it. Some interesting nutritional elements can be worthwhile, so it’s not all bad.
The Nutritional Elements of Ice Cream
Ice cream might sound like junk food without giving it some thought, and in most cases, we would have to agree.
However, there are some nutritional elements including good levels of potassium and magnesium found in every serving, both of which are good for blood pressure.
You’ll also find between 5g to 9g of protein in a serving, as well as nutrients like vitamin B6 and phosphorous. In addition to containing calcium, eating a bowl of ice cream can also help your body to absorb it, according to research published by University Health News, so it appears to be working overtime trying to give itself some credit.
These good things aside, the nutritional elements of ice cream that aren’t so good are the ones that we focus on. Ice cream is high in both fat and sugar which is a bad combination, and an average small serving will cost you around 300 calories.
According to the American Heart Association, we should aim for 24g of sugar a day maximum, with ice cream having around 24g per serve.
Can You Eat it for Breakfast?
With all of the data to consider, we would recommend against purchasing a tub of store-bought ice cream to consume for breakfast. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it.
Everything in moderation is okay, and this includes eating ice cream in the morning, or you can look to an alternative that’s healthier and more suitable.
There are now loads of healthier and low calories alternatives that would be healthier than eating a tub of ice cream for breakfast, or you could make your own with a homemade ice cream machine.
This allows you full control of the ingredients including how much sugar and fat you incorporate, so you don’t have to give up on your favorite treat just yet.
Ways to Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast
All of the nutritional data aside, it’s still fun to dream about waking up to a bowl of cold, refreshing goodness. To give you some inspiration on the best way to do it, and how to celebrate National Ice Cream for Breakfast Day, here are some of the tastiest ways to serve it up.
Peaches and ice cream
A simple but delicious classic sees the combination of vanilla ice cream with mascarpone and peaches. Place the peaches in the oven first to get them crisp but still juicy, and then scoop on as much ice cream as you like.
Vanilla with cherries and pistachios
Create your own ice creamery experience at home by mixing roasted pistachios and maraschino cherries in with your ice cream, and enjoy how all the textures and flavors come together. Use two large metal spoons to mix everything together and keep them in the freezer first so they stay cool.
Ice cream hot chocolate
Make a melted hot drink with a cool twist by combining either vanilla or chocolate ice cream chunks with a piping hot cup of hot chocolate. You can let the ice cream melt before you dig it or have fun scooping out the cold chunks while you drink it.
Fruit sundae
Balance out some of the naughtier elements of ice cream by making a fruit sundae, and add a lot more fruit with just a tiny amount of ice cream if you prefer.
For this, you can use any flavor ice cream and then cut up fruit slices like strawberries and peaches, and finish it off with a sprinkle of slivered almonds or chopped peanuts.
French toast
French toast is a breakfast favorite and ice cream only adds to its deliciousness. Add a dollop of vanilla ice cream as a side serving to your French toast, and slather on the maple syrup with a side of bacon as well. If you’re going to be bad, you may as well go all the way.
Mint ice cream
Keep it simple and morning friendly with a bowl or cup of mint-flavored ice cream, and enjoy a less sweet treat. You can use fresh herbs to create this at home with an ice cream maker and even adorn it with a mint leaf on top to make it look beautiful as well.
Affogato
This is a famous Italian coffee drink that sees a shot of espresso poured over the top of a scoop of vanilla ice cream. You can add further flavors with caramel topping or liqueur, or simply leave the ice cream and the fresh coffee to do their magic.
Waking Up to Sweetness
The thought of eating ice cream every day for breakfast might sound like fun, but after a few days you’d probably be over it, and your body wouldn’t be thankful either.
However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t treat yourself now and then to a sweet and refreshing morning treat, however you like.
If you’ve always wanted to eat this frozen treat for breakfast but missed the annual holiday, never fear.
You can have your own party and put it back on the menu or take the guilt out of ice cream by making yourself a healthier version in your home machine. However you do it, there are loads of ways to enjoy ice cream for breakfast, as long as you practice it in moderation.
Related Questions
Ice cream isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of nutritionally balanced and healthy foods, but it’s still a tasty treat nonetheless.
If you’re wondering about the nutritional elements of ice cream and how to eat it best, check out these commonly asked questions for a push in the right direction.
What’s the Best Ice Cream to Eat on a Diet?
If you are counting calories and trying to restrict your sweet treats, choosing a low calorie option at the supermarket is the best way to eat ice cream still.
However, these should still be enjoyed in moderation as they sometimes increase sugar to compensate for fat, or feature lots of artificial ingredients that aren’t good to eat every day.
Is it OK to Eat Ice Cream Every Day?
The main concern with eating ice cream every day is the huge amount of sugar and fat that would be consumed, likely leading to negative health effects.
However, if you had just a small taste each day or made your own homemade ice cream with healthier ingredients, and ate it as part of a balanced diet, it wouldn’t be so bad.
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Last Updated on June 17, 2021 by Ice Cream Admin
I’ve been craving ice cream lately, but since I’m trying to maintain my weight, I’m worried it’ll put my effort to waste. Thanks for letting me know that I can opt for low-calorie ice cream and enjoy it in moderation if I want to restrict on sweets. I’ll keep this in mind when I visit an ice cream parlor later.