FitSugar

Ben & Jerry's Breast Milk Ice Cream?

FitSugar — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 03:00:00 -0700

When I read the post on GiggleSugar about the obscure Craigslist ad requesting people to suggest flavors for their homemade breast milk ice cream, I thought it was a joke. Apparently not. PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) is also hopping on the breast milk ice cream boat and are now urging Ben & Jerry's to make the switch from cow's milk to breast milk.

Tracy Reiman, executive vice president of PETA, sent a letter directly to Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, saying PETA feels the transition away from cow's milk will reduce the suffering of cows and provide customers with healthier products (Um, since when is ice cream considered healthy?). The letter also said that dairy products have been linked to juvenile diabetes, allergies, and obesity. Another PETA representative said she knew this idea sounded crazy, but it's no more absurd than humans consuming milk from another species.

To find out if Ben & Jerry's is going to start a new line of bosom milk ice cream read more.

Since Ben & Jerry's factory is located in Vermont, a state filled with extremely open-minded people, these ice cream makers did applaud PETA's efforts, but felt that breast milk was best left for babies. A La Leche spokeswoman said that breast milk and cow's milk aren't interchangeable and that each mom makes a unique formula for her baby's needs, meaning it's not meant for just anyone. Ben & Jerry's responded with a statement that cow's milk has proven to be a healthy part of American diets for many years, and they're not ready to make the change. Well that's a nice way to say, "This idea is udderly ridiculous!"

My big question is, who would supply this milk, and could they possibly pump enough to fill the public's ice cream needs? I'm also wondering about the nutritional advantages, since PETA claims that breast milk is healthier. So I thought a side-by-side comparison would be in order here (wow, I never thought I'd ever be posting about this). Now I can see that cow's milk is actually healthier - less calories, fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbs, and cholesterol, and more protein.

I'm thinking that the overall reaction here is "Eww," but maybe I'm wrong. What do you think of this idea?

	4.5 ounces of breast milk	4.5 ounces of 1% cow's milk
Calories	95	61.9
Total Fat	5.7g	1.4g
Saturated Fat	0g	.8g
Cholesterol	21.6mg	5.6mg
Sodium	21.6mg	8.4mg
Carbs	10g	7.3g
Fiber	0g	0g
Protein	1.7g	4.5g

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How Fattening Is Ben & Jerry's?

FitSugar — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 04:30:00 -0700

What would Summer be without ice cream? I know that eating that sweet creamy coldness every day wouldn't be the healthiest move, but every once in a while I've got to splurge. Ben & Jerry's is a popular brand because their ice cream is so scrumptious. It's made with real cream, eggs, and chunks of candy, but how bad for you is it? Take this quiz to find out.

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Take the quiz

You Love Ice Cream, But How Well Do You Know It?

FitSugar — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 11:45:00 -0700

Even though some of us are getting ready for school and starting preparations for fall, it is still really hot outside and ice cream is often top choice for an August dessert. Although it is creamy, cool and delish, ice cream is no friend to those watching their waist lines. It can be loaded with calories, fat and sugar. So if you are looking to go healthy when it comes to ice cream, do you know your facts?

Here's a little quiz to test your ice cream knowledge.

Take the quiz

Ben & Jerry's Breakdown

FitSugar — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 09:30:00 -0700

I love ice cream just about anytime of the year, but there's nothing more satisfying than spooning down some cold ice cream on a hot summer's day.

We all know that Ben & Jerry's ice cream is totally rich and decadent, and not exactly the healthiest thing on the planet. That's why it's great to know that they make healthier alternatives like Frozen Yogurt, Lighten Up (light ice cream and frozen yogurt with less fat, sugar, and calories), and Sorbets.

Want to check out the nutritional info for these delicious summer treats? Then read more

1/2 cup (1/4 of the pint)	Calories	Fat (g)	Cholesterol (mg)	Carbs (g)	Sugars (g)	Protein (g)
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough	270	15	65	32	24	4
Cherry Garcia	250	14	60	26	22	4
Americone Dream	280	15	60	32	24	4
Mint Chocolate Chunk	270	17	65	26	24	4
Half Baked	280	14	50	34	26	5
Peanut Butter Cup	360	26	60	27	23	7
Vanilla Heath Bar Crunch	290	18	65	29	27	4
Chocolate Fudge Brownie	260	13	35	32	25	5
Butter Pecan	280	21	65	20	18	4
Creme Brulee	310	17	90	36	31	4
Karamel Sutra	270	14	50	32	27	4
Organic Strawberry	210	12	55	21	19	3
Organic Vanilla	220	14	65	18	16	3
Organic Sweet Cream & Cookies	250	15	60	18	19	4

I have to say that although those contain a ton of fat, cholesterol, and calories, I think they are totally worth it! Of course, I wouldn't eat them everyday, so here's a breakdown of Ben & Jerry's healthier options:

1/2 cup (1/4 of the pint)	Calories	Fat (g)	Cholesterol (mg)	Carbs (g)	Sugars (g)	Protein (g)
Phish Food Low Fat Ice Cream	210	6	25	37	23	4
Strawberries & Cream Low Fat Ice Cream	150	2.5	25	29	24	3
Raspberry Chocolate Chunk Low Fat Ice Cream	180	5	25	32	24	3
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Low Fat Ice Cream	200	6	35	35	24	4
Half Baked Low Fat Frozen Yogurt	180	3	20	35	23	4
Chocolate Fudge Brownie Low Fat Frozen Yogurt	170	2.5	15	34	23	5
Cherry Garcia Low Fat Frozen Yogurt	160	3	15	31	20	4
Berried Treasure Sorbet	110	0	0	29	24	0
Jamaican Me Crazy Sorbet	130	0	0	33	28	0
Strawberry Kiwi Swirl Sorbet	110	0	0	28	24	0

Today is Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry's

FitSugar — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 13:30:00 -0700

OK, so if you didn't already know, my friend Yum reminded me that today is Free Cone Day at participating Ben & Jerry's ice cream shops!!!. Get there between 12 and 8pm today and get yourself a free ice cream cone.

I know it seems weird for me to be telling you this, considering Ben & Jerry's isn't exactly healthy for you, but you know how I feel about moderation -their scrumptious ice cream flavors are definitely worth experiencing.

Choose from their many delicious ice cream flavors (watch out - these will run about 8-23 grams of fat per 1/2 cup serving), or go for their light and fruity Sorbets. Check out Berried Treasure, Jamaican Me Crazy, or my fave, Strawberry Kiwi. These Sorbets have 130 calories or less per 1/2 cup serving, 0mg no cholesterol, and no fat whatsoever. Now that's a treat you can indulge in.

Since Earth Day is coming up on April 22nd, I thought you'd like to know that Ben & Jerry's is an extremely environmentally conscious company, supporting the fight against global warming. Want to know how? Then read more

They teamed up with the Dave Matthews Band and SaveOurEnvironment.org (a coalition of 20 of the nation's largest and most respected environmental advocacy groups) and concocted the flavor: Dave Matthews Band Magic Brownies. A portion of every sale of this flavor goes to help global warming initiatives.

On the Ben & Jerry's website, they also give you tips on how to reduce your carbon pollution and have a guide to help you learn more about global warming, our impacts, and how we can help fight against it.

Ben & Jerry's also uses packaging made with unbleached paper called Eco-Pints (that's why they're brown instead of white). These pints are filled with ice cream made from milk supplied by sustainable dairy farms.

They also have flavors made with Certified Fair Trade ingredients: Coffee Coffee Buzz Buzz Buzz, Coffee Heath Bar Crunch, Coffee, and newly introduced Fair Trade Certified Vanilla and Chocolate.

Now when you enjoy your tasty free cone, you can also feel good about supporting this company. Ben & Jerry's is good for your taste buds and good for the Earth!

Why We Overeat: Stress

FitSugar — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 10:00:31 -0700

If you find that you overeat throughout your day, but have ruled out excessive tiredness as the cause, then you may be reaching for fattening foods because you're stressed out. According to Health magazine, chronic stress causes your body to create cortisol and insulin. These hormones increase your appetite for comfort foods which tend to be high in fat, sugar, and salt. Eating these types of foods can make you lethargic and also lead to weight gain. If you're already overweight, fat cells produce cortisol as well, so you produce even more of this appetite-raising hormone.

To help break the stress cycle that has you reaching for a pint of Ben and Jerry's, you need to figure out the causes of your stress and work on decreasing them. Talk to your boss about your workload if it's too much, or if money issues are plaguing your brain make an appointment with a financial consultant. You can also micromanage your daily stress by exercising to clear your mind, taking a break from work to sip a hot cup of tea, or getting a tension-relieving massage. Make these stress-busters a part of your daily schedule and you'll not only feel calmer, but your urge to overindulge will wane too.

Eat Every Four Hours to Prevent Late-Night Snacking

FitSugar — Tue, 12 May 2009 11:00:00 -0700

Some people eat minimally throughout their day; either they're too busy or they're trying to lose weight. When dinner time rolls around, these folks often stuff themselves silly. In response to their previous evening of eating, they don't eat much again throughout the next day, but the late night eating pattern repeats itself. By limiting calorie (read energy) intake during the day, they've created an imbalanced metabolism, which can lead to weight gain and affect blood sugar levels.

The best way to manage your eating habits is to eat every four hours. Eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and throw in one or two snacks between if your meals are more than four hours apart. Eating throughout your day will satiate your hunger so you'll be less likely to crave late-night snacks. I'd also feel free to indulge a little on sweets or whatever you crave, so that when night time rolls around, feelings of deprivation don't force you to devour an entire pint of Ben and Jerry's.

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Recession Proof Your Diet: Avoid Comforting Yourself With Food

FitSugar — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 13:00:00 -0800

During the tough times of the economy, many of us feel down about the way the nation is headed. And for some of us, being upset translates into eating for comfort. Unfortunately, the food we turn to (chips, cookies, ice cream, etc.) tends to not be very healthy and could wind up costing us more (financially and on the scale) in the long run.

So try to keep your eye on the ball. Things may seem bad, but you're going to feel a lot worse if you've suddenly gained 10 pounds. Turn your negative energy into figuring out ways for staying healthy for without spending too much money and working out on a budget. I know that carrot and celery sticks may not be as comforting as a pint of Ben & Jerry's ice cream, but they're a lot cheaper. Plus, I've personally been taking advantage of Whole Foods' Meals For 4 Under $15 so I always have healthy meals offhand. Then I allow myself treats on occasion, but just not as I am watching the six o'clock news about how the stock market tanked, yet again.

Should You Avoid Carrageenan?

FitSugar — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 09:30:00 -0800

If you're a label reader, and let me tell you I sure am, you might have noticed carrageenan listed as one of the ingredients. When I first saw it listed on a Ben and Jerry's pint (yes, ice cream is OK when eaten in moderation), it brought up a couple of questions for me – What exactly is carrageenan and is it something I should avoid?

Carrageenan is actually extracted from red seaweed, and the name comes from a type of seaweed found growing on the coast of Ireland. It's used as a food additive and sometimes is referred to as kelp extract. It helps to stabilize, thicken, or emulsify dairy products, reprocessed meats (like sausages or beef jerky), dog food, toothpaste, pudding, salad dressings, and even shoe polish.

Carrageenan is a safe ingredient and should not be confused with poligeenan. This is a chemically degraded derivative of carrageenan, which is used for industrial (non-food) purposes. It was improperly named "degraded carrageenan" for a while which gave the true carrageenan a bad name. Research indicates that poligeenan creates unfavorable health effects, but food-grade carrageenan has no known toxicity or carcinogenicity, and is recognized as safe by the FDA.

So go ahead and enjoy foods made with carrageenan, especially Ben & Jerry's (in moderation of course).

Don't Let the Freshman 15 Sneak Up On You

FitSugar — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 12:00:00 -0700

Starting your first year of college is so awesome because you can do whatever you want and there's nobody around to tell you not to. You can eat candy for dinner, order a pizza at 2 a.m., and avoid all vegetable matter for three months straight. And though it's technically against the rules, most freshmen also end up drinking a lot of beer. It doesn't take long for a lifestyle of college eating to turn into the dreaded Freshman 15. Here are some things to keep in mind as you delve into your first year on campus.

Just because you can eat whatever and whenever you want - don't. Try to be sensible when it comes to food choices and how often you eat. Try to remember not to eat when you're not hungry, especially late at night. Don't let others influence your decisions either or be a victim of peer pressure when it comes to food. If you just ate dinner, don't let someone talk you into going out for Chinese.
Be wary of dining halls. These endless buffets allow you to consume well beyond your daily caloric needs in a single sitting. I know there are a ton of choices and that the soft serve machine is on all the time, but try to remember how much you used to eat at meals. Don't keep going back for more just because it's there.
Don't use food to deal with stress. If college life is getting the best of you, then exercise, take a long shower, or talk to someone about it. And I don't mean your friends Ben & Jerry.

To find out what else can help read more.

Choose healthy snacks to nosh on during late-night studying. Or better yet, instead of having a bag of snacks open all the time, take snack breaks. That way you can refuel and give your brain a break too.
Don't keep food in your room or in your desk drawer. If you can see it, you'll probably end up eating it, even if you're full.
Walk or ride your bike to class and around campus instead of taking advantage of campus transportation.
Join the campus gym. As a student, I bet your school has a superb gym complete with cardio machines, weights, classes, a track, and maybe even a pool. Make gym dates with you girlfriends, so you can help each other maintain a healthy weight. If you're not into the gym, take a fitness class for credit, or find some other way to stay active. Regular exercise will not only keep those extra pounds from settling around your middle, but it'll also strengthen your immune system.

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