Healthy Ice Cream Options at Mister Softee
But one summertime temptation actually follows us around—to the playground, to the beach, to the community pool—like a homeless dog looking for a scratch on the head.
It's Mister Softee, whose childlike, bordering-on-sinister jingle has been stalking us for decades. So we decided to ask—what's up Mister Softee's sleeve?
The good news: A simple, traditional Mister Softee soft-serve cone is still one of summer's greatest pleasures, and weighs in at under 200 calories. (Some trucks stock full-fat soft-serve that clocks in at 170 calories per serving, others a lower-fat variety that carries just 140 calories. There's no way of telling what you're getting— and good luck asking the nutritional consultant driving the truck—so assume each serving is worth 170 calories at its base.) It's once you start adding the extras that things get a little dicey.
Lucky, we have easy swaps that allow you the occasional treat without undoing a whole day of healthy eating. And if you're looking for a waist-friendly at-home treat, turn to these healthy ice cream buys.
Chocolate Cake Cone with Chocolate Sprinkles
|
Calories |
190 |
|
Fat |
10 g |
|
Sugar |
20 g |
Chocolate Waffle Cone with Chocolate Magic Dip
|
Calories |
435 |
|
Fat |
25 g |
|
Sugar |
35 g |
If you must have your cone dipped, try butterscotch instead of chocolate. You'll save 80 calories and 6 g of saturated fat.
Eat This
Good Humor Toasted Almond, 1 bar
|
Calories |
210 |
|
Fat |
10 g |
|
Saturated Fat |
3.5 g |
|
Sugar |
15 g |
|
Protein |
3 g |
Not That!
Good Humor Candy Center Crunch, 1 bar
|
Calories |
300 |
|
Fat |
21 g |
|
Saturated Fat |
17 g |
|
Sugar |
21 g |
|
Protein |
3 g |
Opting for the Candy Center Crunch means doubling your fat content.
Eat This
Popsicle Pop Ups, 1 bar
|
Calories |
80-90 |
|
Fat |
1 g |
|
Sugar |
10 g |
|
Protein |
1 g |
Not That!
SpongeBob SquarePants Bar, 1 bar
|
Calories |
100 |
|
Fat |
0 g |
|
Sugar |
16 g |
|
Protein |
0 g |
Both Pop Ups flavors beat the pants off Bikini Bottom's resident bard.
Eat This
Good Humor Chocolate Chip Cookie Sandwich, 1 sandwich
|
Calories |
90 |
|
Fat |
10 g |
|
Sugar |
25 g |
|
Protein |
3 g |
Not That!
Good Humor Giant Neapolitan Sandwich, 1 sandwich
|
Calories |
220 |
|
Fat |
5 g |
|
Sugar |
22 g |
|
Protein |
4 g |
The Neapolitan gives you almost the same treat as the sandwich, but with more than twice the caloric impact.
Eat This
Rainbow or Chocolate Sprinkles, 4 grams
|
Calories |
20 |
|
Fat |
1 g |
|
Sugar |
2 g |
Not That!
Chocolate Syrup, 2 1⁄2 tablespoons
|
Calories |
100 |
|
Fat |
0 g |
|
Sugar |
20 g |
Thick and sugary, chocolate syrup is a terrible thing to do to an ice cream. Opt for the sprinkles instead (most of them will just spill onto your shirt).
And if you would pick an ice cream sandwich over a scoop any day, pick up one of these frozen desserts the next time you're at the grocery store.
Image: Leonard Zhukovsky / Shutterstock.com
