Get the Scoop on Light Ice Cream

Aug. 16, 2007 — -- Americans consume an average of 48 pints of ice cream a year and that adds up to a lot of calories and fat. Thanks to new technology, light ice cream can now be just as creamy as the real thing.

Self magazine put 24 brands of light ice cream to the test and editor Lucy Danziger joined "Good Morning America" with the scoop.

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Breyers Double Churn Free Caramel Swirl — 100 calories, 0 g fat

Self staffers said this ice cream is like a gooey caramel sundae without all the calories and fat.

Friendly's Smooth Churned Light Vanilla — 100 calories, 3.5 g fat

Vanilla is the most popular ice cream flavor in the United States and Self said this one is full flavored with no weird or icy aftertaste.

Friendly's Chocolate Fudge Overload — 150 calories, 5 g fat

This is the light ice cream for chocolate lovers, which tastes just like the real thing, said Self.

Dreyer's/Edy's Slow Churned Light Peanut Butter Cup — 130 calories, 6 g fat

For people who like more eclectic flavors, Self says this ice cream is a perfect blend of sweet and salty and very indulgent. It includes plenty of peanut butter chunks and swirls.

The Skinny Cow Low Fat Cookies 'N Cream Ice Cream Sandwich — 150 calories, 2 g fat

A great take on the classic ice cream sandwich, and because it's a single serving, it's good for people who can't stop scooping.

More Tips

Even if you're eating light ice cream, portion control is key. A teacup of ice cream is just about one serving.

Another way to get more out of your ice cream is to include healthy add-ons, such as strawberries and blueberries. A half-cup of strawberries is just 26 calories, and a half-cup of blueberries is 42 calories, and both are full of antioxidants.

You can also add nuts — two tablespoons of walnuts are 36 calories, and two tablespoons of almonds are 66 calories.

And if you still need a chocolate fix, try Hershey's light syrup, which is 50 calories for two tablespoons. A ¼ cup of light whipped cream is only 20 calories.

You can also grab a cone and take a walk to burn a few calories as you indulge. The Keebler sugar cone and waffle cone both contain 50 calories.

Click here to visit Self magazine's Web site.