While sometimes marketed as a healthy alternative to ice cream, frozen yoghurt is much more than a cheap substitute used for healthy eating. The two share many similarities, but they are actually made from a completely different process and have different benefits and advantages. At first glance they look similar. So what makes them different?
What is frozen yoghurt and ice cream made from?
Ice cream is basically cream. With ice. Made from a combination of milk and dairy products, ice cream is typically high in fat, thick, and creamy and chilled until it becomes a solid mound of frozen goodness. Frozen yoghurt is also made from milk. And is also frozen goodness.
So what’s the difference?
Unlike ice cream, the milk used for frozen yoghurt is cultured milk and no, that doesn’t mean that it’s more refined and open-minded. Cultured milk means that the milk is treated through a fermentation process with bacteria, but the helpful kind, not the bad germs that will give you a cold. The only cold you’ll feel with from frozen yoghurt is the refreshing satisfaction from the first spoonful to the last drop.
The bacteria in frozen yoghurt are probiotic bacteria and can be very helpful in a number of ways. Probiotics primarily help with digestion, including aiding with nutrient absorption so your body can get all the nutrients it needs. They have also been shown to help out your immune system by giving it a boost against germs and harmful bacteria. This means that a good cup of frozen yoghurt can help you through a bad day in more ways than one!
What about calories?
One of the largest differences between ice cream and FroYo is the amount of calories the two have and where these calories come from. Because ice cream is made from cream and high-fat milk, it tends to have a higher fat content and more calories per serving. Frozen yoghurt, on the other hand, tends to have a little bit more sugar because of the tartness that results from the creation process, but overall usually has around 15-25% fewer calories than the same flavour of ice cream. Some kinds are even completely fat free.
So what does this mean for you? More toppings! With frozen yoghurt, you can toss in a few more extra brownie bits or some fresh fruit and still come out with less than plain, boring ice cream. Or if you’re feeling like being extra fit, grab a small cup of FroYo on its own to get a treat without the cheat!