How healthy is vanilla ice cream?
Is vanilla ice cream healthy? It can fit a healthy diet as a treat. Vanilla ice cream scores 8/100 on the HowHealthyIs Score: 100 g provides 207 kcal, 118 µg vitamin A and 128 mg calcium. Ice cream gives some calcium, but most of its calories come from sugar and saturated fat. Source: USDA FoodData Central.
Score explained
The score compares nutrient density per 100 kcal across every food we cover (NRF9.3 method). Vanilla ice cream ranks higher than 8% of them.
Counts in favor (% daily value per 100 kcal)
- Vitamin A6%
- Calcium5%
- Protein3%
- Potassium2%
- Magnesium2%
- Fiber1%
- Vitamin E1%
- Vitamin C0%
- Iron0%
Counts against
- Saturated fat16%
- Added sugars15%
- Sodium2%
Raw NRF9.3: 21 minus 34 = -13. The score is not a verdict on whether to eat a food; portion, the whole meal and your own health matter more. Full methodology
How many calories are in vanilla ice cream?
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | Per portion | %DV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy and macronutrients | |||
| Calories | 207 kcal | 137 kcal | |
| Protein | 3.5 g | 2.3 g | 5% |
| Carbohydrates | 24 g | 16 g | 6% |
| Fiber | 0.7 g | 0.5 g | 2% |
| Sugars | 21 g | 14 g | |
| Added sugars | 16 g | 11 g | 21% |
| Fat | 11 g | 7.3 g | 9% |
| Saturated fat | 6.8 g | 4.5 g | 22% |
| Vitamins | |||
| Vitamin A | 118 µg | 78 µg | 9% |
| Vitamin C | 0.6 mg | 0.4 mg | 0% |
| Vitamin E | 0.3 mg | 0.2 mg | 1% |
| Minerals | |||
| Calcium | 128 mg | 84 mg | 6% |
| Iron | <0.1 mg | <0.1 mg | 0% |
| Potassium | 199 mg | 131 mg | 3% |
| Magnesium | 14 mg | 9.2 mg | 2% |
| Sodium | 80 mg | 53 mg | 2% |
Source: USDA FoodData Central, "Ice creams, vanilla" (FDC 167575). Values rounded.
Why is vanilla ice cream good for you?
A typical portion does not supply 10% or more of the daily value for any of the nine nutrients we score.
Good ways to use it
- An occasional dessert
- Topping with fruit
What should you watch out for?
- Standard scoops at shops are often two to three times the half-cup serving.
What can you eat instead of vanilla ice cream?
Foods you can use the same way with a higher HowHealthyIs Score.