Can You Lose Weight Eating Ice Cream?

Ever wish you could lose weight without giving up your favourite ice cream? If you're someone who craves something sweet after meals or feels restricted by strict diets, the idea of a low-calorie ice cream diet may sound like a tempting twist. With so many guilt-free options now available, like protein-rich, low-sugar, and dairy-free ice creams made with natural ingredients and under 150 calories per serving, people are starting to think, can you actually lose weight while including ice cream in your routine? This new trend is gaining buzz, and it’s not just about satisfying cravings; it’s also about finding balance, portion control, and smarter food choices without feeling deprived.

In this blog, explore the reality of the low-calorie ice cream diet, how it works, what to watch out for, and whether it can truly be a sustainable weight loss option, all while keeping your sweet tooth happy!

1. Can You Lose Weight On An Ice Cream Diet?

2. Is Eating Ice Cream Good For Your Diet? Low-Calorie Ice Cream Benefits

3. What Is The Best Time To Eat Ice Cream For Weight Loss?

4. Will I Gain Weight If I Eat Ice Cream Once A Week?

5. The Final Say

6. FAQs

7. References

Can You Lose Weight On An Ice Cream Diet?

Well, it depends! Holly McCord's "Ice Cream Diet" proposes that weight loss can occur by including ice cream within a regimen that limits overall calorie intake. However, the diet's success in achieving weight loss isn't attributed to any special characteristics of ice cream, but rather to the general reduction in calories and the inclusion of nutritious and healthier food swaps.

Look for brands which often use alternative sweeteners to significantly reduce calories. Consider frozen Greek yoghurt or sorbet ice cream as naturally lower-calorie options than traditional ice cream.

The idea of losing weight solely on an "Ice Cream Diet" is generally not a healthy or sustainable approach. While some variations exist, here's why it's unlikely to help with healthy weight loss alone:

Calorie Deficit Matters: Weight loss occurs when you burn more calories than you consume. Any weight loss on an ice cream diet would likely be due to severely restricting foods without calories, which can be unhealthy and difficult to maintain.
Nutrient Imbalance: Ice cream, even lower-calorie versions, lacks the essential vitamins, minerals, and fibre your body needs for wellness. A diet primarily consisting of ice cream can lead to nutrient deficiencies.
High in Sugar and Unhealthy Fats: Regular ice cream is often high in added sugars and unhealthy fats, which hinders weight loss efforts and increases various health problems.
Unsustainable dietary approach: A diet focused on ice cream is not a realistic or enjoyable long-term eating plan, making it difficult to stick to and maintain any initial weight loss.

While some "Ice Cream Diets" might include ice cream in a calorie-controlled and otherwise healthy eating plan as a treat to prevent deprivation, the weight loss in such cases is due to the overall calorie deficit and healthy food choices, not because ice cream itself promotes weight loss.

In short, relying on ice cream as the primary food for weight loss is not recommended and can be unhealthy for your health.

Also Read: 20 Weight Loss Fibre Foods And Their Benefits | ToneOp Fit

Is Eating Ice Cream Good For Your Diet? Low-Calorie Ice Cream Benefits

While ice cream is often seen as a treat to be enjoyed in moderation, science and trials suggest proven benefits from regular consumption, primarily due to its nutritional content. But ensure to calculate calorie intake for every meal.

Choosing healthier options like homemade ice cream with controlled ingredients or lower-calorie alternatives is beneficial. Here’s how it helps:

Source of Nutrients: Ice cream contains essential nutrients found in milk, such as calcium, phosphorus, and vitamins A, D, and B12, which are important for bone health, immune function, and energy metabolism.
Energy Boost: The carbohydrates and sugars in ice cream can provide a quick source of energy.
Mood Enhancement: Eating ice cream can trigger the release of serotonin and dopamine in the brain, which are associated with feelings of happiness and pleasure.

Try ToneOp Fit's Balanced Diet Weight Loss Plan, which emphasises whole foods like fruits, fresh vegetables and seeds, plus high-protein, low-carb food choices for sustainable weight loss. The plan features a personalised diet, and access to over 40,000 healthy weight loss recipes allows you to enjoy many delicious meals.

Provides Protein: As a dairy product, ice cream contains protein, which is essential for muscle repair and growth.
May Improve Fertility: Some research suggests that high-fat dairy products like ice cream might improve fertility in women.
Can Boost Immunity: Some ice creams contain probiotics that can contribute to a healthy gut, which is linked to improved immunity.
May Help with Weight Loss (in moderation): Some calcium-rich healthy foods for weight loss, like ice cream, might aid in fat burning, although this is heavily dependent on overall calorie intake and portion control.

Note: These benefits come with moderate consumption of real ice cream made with milk and without excessive added sugars and unhealthy fats. Overindulging in ice cream can cause weight gain, increased chronic diseases, and other negative health effects.

Also Read: Good Fats vs Bad Fats — Everything You Need To Know

What Is The Best Time To Eat Ice Cream For Weight Loss?

Interestingly, some suggest that the best time to eat ice cream as an occasional treat when trying to lose weight might be after a light meal, especially one that isn't heavy in carbohydrates.

This is because the other food in your stomach (fibre, fats, and protein foods for weight loss) can help to slow down the absorption of sugar from the ice cream, preventing a large blood sugar spike. Some also suggest a small portion post-workout, as the body might utilise the sugars for recovery.

However, moderation and portion control are key regardless of the time. Choosing homemade versions with less sugar or lower-calorie alternatives like sorbet or frozen yoghurt can also be beneficial.

Also Read: 10 Calorie-Heavy Indian Foods To Avoid For Weight Loss

Will I Gain Weight If I Eat Ice Cream Once A Week?

Whether you gain weight from eating ice cream once a week largely depends on your overall calorie intake and expenditure throughout the week.

If you maintain a calorie deficit through a balanced diet and regular physical activity for the rest of the week, including a moderate portion of ice cream once a week is unlikely to cause significant weight gain.

However, if your overall diet is high in calories and you are not active, even one serving of ice cream could contribute to weight gain over time. Moderation and balancing it with a healthy lifestyle are crucial.

Also Read: How To Maintain Weight After Losing It? 12 Natural Tips

The Final Say

While the allure of an "Ice Cream Diet" might be tempting, understand the underlying reality. Any weight loss achieved is far more likely due to severe calorie restriction than any inherent fat-burning properties of ice cream itself. This approach is often unsustainable, nutritionally inadequate, and can foster an unhealthy relationship with food. A balanced diet rich in whole foods remains the cornerstone of lasting weight loss, allowing for the occasional enjoyment of ice cream in moderation.

FAQs

1. Does the ice cream diet work for weight loss?

Not really! The "ice cream diet" isn't really about ice cream having special weight-loss benefits. If you lose weight on it, it's likely because the diet is very low in calories overall. Eating too few calories isn't healthy long-term, and you will miss out on important nutrients.

2. What is the best time to eat ice cream for weight loss and belly fat?

There isn't a specific "best time" to eat ice cream for weight loss. Weight loss depends on your total calories in versus calories out over the whole day. Eating ice cream to lose weight should fit within your overall calorie goals. Eating it after a meal slows sugar absorption a bit.

References

About ToneOp Fit

ToneOp Fit is a platform dedicated to improving and maintaining good health through a comprehensive range of goal-oriented health plans with up to 3 Coach support. With a range of Weight Management, Medical Condition, Detox Plans, and Face Yoga Plans, the app also provides premium health trackers, recipes and health content. Get customised diet, fitness, naturopathy & yoga plans and transform with ToneOp.