We are going to introduce in the topic of healthy ice cream, for this we start considering one of the most important factor which is the goal to start producing more low-calorie ice cream.

Later we will see which strategies can implement, to lower the total calories in some ice creams, now consider how to know how many calories give a person of our ice cream consumption, by analyzing the recipes.

Of course, for calculation everyone has to know how is making their product and the total values of shortening, sugars and proteins in their recipes. Without such data can't do anything.

The information we are considering is published in the laws of various countries about: how to labeling and how to count calories, taking as general reference the Codex Alimentarius FAO/OMS Alinorm 93/22, Annex II and the Directive 90/496 of the CEE.

First let's define a few things:

What is a calorie? is the approximate amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of one gram of pure water, from 14,5 �C to 15,5 �C, to a normal pressure of one atmosphere. Calorie is used to express the energy content of food, an index which measures the energy supplied by food.

So then it is considered that what we eat can contribute:

Positive energy, (provides energy and nutrients) and / or contributions from

Negative energy, only energy power but little nutritional value.

In the last case comes the "junk food" or "fast food", with excess of fats and sugars, that only provides calories, sometimes in high amount but few nutrients, also known as empty calories.

A calorie (cal) is equal exactly to 4.1869 joules (J), while a kilocalorie (kcal) is exactly 4.1868 kilojoules (kJ).

Nutrition professionals suggest which is the recommended daily intake for men, women or children, being these relative values also the size of the person, conducted physical effort and other metabolic factors. If we consume more calories than our body needs, This "fuel" accumulates and generates over both, unintended consequences that lead to overweight and, may be responsible for obesity-associated diseases.

Using data, collected by professionals, the contribution of kilocalories depending on the food component, was reached a general consensus that establishes the caloric values of food, how we see below (values are rounded):

(See picture 1)

Now, in the ice cream we normally use these ingredients: Sugars, Fats, Proteins.

Eventually, some flavor might have some alcohol in their formulation. Products such as polyols and polydextrose, are only used in very specific tastes, so we will leave for later analysis. For now we are only going to consider the classical or conventional flavors.

In the rules it suggested that we inform the caloric intake based on 100 grams of the product, with its corresponding relationship to the accepted or recommended daily intake (IDA o IDR).

We must also report the value according to serving size. In some countries it is considered that the portion of ice weighs 60 grams in others 70 grams.

While, when dispatched loose ice (retail), we are not required to report these data, would be good to publish this information on our business premises. Advertising brochures, website and social networks.

How do we get the data? We should have the recipe sheet, because we will work on the results of its balance.

By example: the water ice creams, contain various sugars. Let's take a recipe sheet indicating a total of 28% sugar (24% contributed by sucrose, 1% glucose or dextrose, 3% of fruit).

As indicated in Table 1 all sugars provide 4 kilocalories per gram, so we must make this account:

Total sugars x 4

In this example 28 x 4 = 112 kcal.

In this case the calculation is very simple.

If ice cream is to milk and the sheet indicates the values of:

Total fat: 6%

Total Sugars added: 18%

Milk solids not fat: 11%

The accounts must ask are:

Total sugars added: 18 x 4 = 72 kcal

Total Fat: 6 x 9 = 54 kcal

Nonfat milk solids (SNGL) are composed of an approximately 40% animal protein and 52% lactose, (both contribute 4 kcal), this gives a 92% overall.

92% of 11% of SNGL of the recipe is: 10.12, therefore 10,12 x 4 = 41 kcal.

So we have: 72 kilocalories of sugars + 54 fat kilocalories + 41 SNGL, give us a total of: 167 kilocalories per portion of 100 grams.

If the "legal" portion is 70 grams, we must make this value by 70%, (167 x 70/100), the resulting 117 kcal per serving.

That if, that is the caloric value of the based ice cream; if you sow chocolate chips, nuts, cookies, etc.., we should estimate the calories that provide these additional ingredients.

If you click here you can download a spreadsheet that will help you have the data for every 100 grams and according to portion size.

Note: These are data for internal use, advertising, marketing. If data will be used in labels, you should contact the state agency that regulates this, because although some countries may make the calculation per table, in other cases it requires laboratory analysis of the product.

Anyway, this is a tool that will allow us to have more ability to analyze our product.

Sergio R. Mantello
Asesor T�cnico Mundohelado Argentina
www.mundohelado.com.ar


Publsihed: September 5, 2013