Frozen yogurt is often served with toppings, which can quickly change the nutritional content of the dessert.
According to dietitian Johannah Katz, candy, cookies, brownies, syrup, and large amounts of granola or nut butter can significantly increase the calorie, sugar, and saturated fat content, Real Simple reports.
According to Real Simple, dietitian Megan Wroe recommends choosing one or two toppings. These could, for example, include fruit, nuts, or chocolate chips.
Some types of frozen yogurt are also marketed as containing live bacterial cultures, similar to those found in regular yogurt.
Also read: Never being married may raise your cancer risk more than most people realize
However, Katz points out that the amount of live bacteria may be lower by the time the dessert is eaten.
There is a difference between sugar and fat
Ice cream and frozen yogurt are made in different ways.
Regular ice cream is typically made from a sweetened mixture of milk and cream. Frozen yogurt is made from fermented yogurt and therefore contains less lactose, Katz tells Real Simple.
According to Wroe, regular ice cream generally contains more saturated fat and more calories than frozen yogurt.
Also read: What should your VO2 max be? The healthy range sorted by age and sex
Frozen yogurt, on the other hand, often contains more sugar. This is partly because sugar is used to balance the yogurt's tart flavor.
One choice is not always healthier
Which dessert is the better option therefore also depends on the individual.
Wroe points out that frozen yogurt may be a better choice for people with high cholesterol or lactose intolerance. Ice cream, on the other hand, may feel more filling because of its higher fat content.
The nutrition experts therefore conclude that frozen yogurt is not automatically healthier than regular ice cream.
Also read: Sugar-free soft drinks may reduce cravings for sweets, new study finds
Portion size and the amounts of sugar, saturated fat, protein, and toppings are key factors when making the overall choice.
Also read: This is what happens to your body if you eat late every night
This article is made and published by Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk, who may have used AI in the preparation.