Let’s face it: We all want to live healthier. But that doesn’t necessarily mean giving up all of our favorite treats and snacks completely. Moderation is the key. Reading and understanding the nutrition labels of the foods you buy and maintaining portion control are essential to making good choices for you and your family. Have your ice cream – and eat it, too – with these tips for serving sensible portions.

One serving of ice cream is a half cup (4 fl oz). Let’s take a look at the nutritional information for one serving each of two popular flavors:

Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

• 150 calories
• 8g total fat
• 17g total carbohydrates
• 13g sugars

Chocolate Ice Cream

• 150 calories
• 9g total fat
• 18g total carbohydrates
• 13g sugars

Let’s see how one serving of our ice cream stacks up against other popular treats. Of course, we’re not saying that one is healthier than the other, but rather, that some treats thought to offer better nutritional value than a serving of ice cream may actually contain more sugar or other ingredients.

Some flavors of Pierre’s ice cream have less sugar than other snack alternatives, and in some cases, fewer calories and less fat. See below for more details.

Ice Cream Versus Blueberry Yogurt

A 4-ounce serving of blueberry yogurt may be lower in calories, but has nearly 30 percent more sugar than a serving of our vanilla bean ice cream! There’s been a lot of talk about the high sugar content of flavored yogurt lately. In fact, The Huffington Post recently reported on 5 yogurt brands that actually contain more sugar than a Twinkie.

Ice Cream Versus Bite-Sized Milk Chocolate Candies

Maybe you’ve tried this diet trick: Eating bite-sized portions of chocolate or some other candy, hoping that the tiny little treats will prevent you from overindulging on larger desserts or snacks. This strategy might satisfy cravings, but it won’t necessarily help with weight management.

One serving – that’s nine small pieces – of popular milk chocolate candies packs 200 calories, 12 grams of total fat, 25 grams of total carbohydrates and 23 grams of sugar. You can still get your chocolate fix – with Pierre’s Chocolate Ice Cream – while shaving 50 calories, 3 grams of total fat, 7 grams total carbohydrates and 10 grams of sugar off your treat!

Ice Cream Versus Coffeehouse Mocha Blended Beverage

With everyone on the go these days, getting your caffeine through a straw seems like a good idea, but it’s the other ingredients in your favorite coffeehouse drink that add up!

A medium-sized, 16 fl oz mocha blended beverage contains 64 grams of total carbohydrates and 60 grams of sugar! Getting the small size of this drink doesn’t help much: the 12 fl oz serving contains 44 grams of carbohydrates and 41 grams of sugar. You can modify the fat content depending on which milk you ask your barista for, but even the nonfat milk option still has 12 grams of fat in the medium size.

Better yet, try a scoop of Pierre’s better-for-you Cappuccino Yovation^® Probiotic Frozen Yogurt.

Ice Cream Versus Granola Yogurt Parfait

This quick fast food granola yogurt parfait does contain some important nurtrients in its one-serving size (that’s slightly larger than a serving of ice cream). But it clocks in at 23 grams of sugar — nearly double the sugar content of one serving of vanilla bean ice cream.

Try making your own parfait; top vanilla bean ice cream with fresh fruit.

Ice Cream Versus Potato Chips

Snacks aren’t always sweet; some of us opt for something salty to munch on instead, from mixed nuts to pretzels to delicious, cruncy potato chips.

You’re definitely avoiding sugar with a serving of these popular potato chips, but are actually consuming more calories and fat than in one serving of vanilla bean or chocolate ice cream!

Ice Cream Versus Granola Bar

Granola bars have become the go-to snacks for everyone from kids after school to people on the go. But, when you unwrap this particular granola bar’s nutritional information, you’ll note that it’s pretty on par with one-serving of ice cream (and actually contains more carbs than ice cream, too).

Portion Control: How to Have Your Ice Cream, and Eat It, Too

Here are some helpful tips to help you enjoy your ice cream by serving sensible portions.

Portion Control Tips

• Once you scoop up ice cream into serving dishes, place the container back in the freezer. Keeping it on the table might tempt you to over-indulge.
• Use smaller serving dishes. Remember, one serving of ice cream is one half-cup.
• Use a half-cup measuring cup to scoop ice cream instead of a spoon or scoop.

Buy individually wrapped ice cream novelties, affordable and perfectly portioned right out of the box.

And remember, not all ice cream is created equal. The above comparisons were made using Pierre’s Premium Ice Cream flavors; the nutritional value of other brands may vary. Also, remember to consult your physician before making any major changes to your diet and/or fitness program.

Try These Better-for-You Ice Cream Options

“Eating better” has many meanings. For those who need to avoid added sugar or dairy or who are watching their cholesterol, Pierre’s has treats just for you.

Reducing your sugar intake? Then try our Slender® No Sugar Added Reduced Fat Ice Cream, sweetened with Splenda^® Brand Sweetener.

Counting calories? Wait ‘til you try our Smooth Churned Light Ice Cream, which has 30 percent fewer calories than regular ice cream.

Watching cholesterol, and want something different? Say “hello” to ¡Hola Fruta!^® Pure Fruit Sherbet. Naturally low in fat and cholesterol, each pint is made from real fruit purees.

Can’t do lactose? We have a Lactose Free Vanilla Ice Cream and Lactose Free Chocolate Ice Cream just for you!

Need dairy free? Try naturally fat- and cholesterol-free Sorbet. This refreshing alternative comes in fruit flavors, like raspberry, lemon and passion fruit, as well as in chocolate. That’s right – a dairy free way to satisfy your chocolate craving! Or try refreshing ¡Hola Fruta!® Fruit Bars.