Fanny Baillancourt, a nutritionist, believes that the ideal time to enjoy an ice cream depends on the type of meal. “If you have eaten a starchy meal, it is unnecessary to add more carbohydrates with a dessert such as ice cream, even if it is a sorbet. However, if your lunch was light and consisted mainly of a low-starch salad and some protein, eating a small amount will not significantly disturb the overall balance of the meal,” she explains.
So should you save the ice cream for a snack after you’ve eaten a heavy meal? “If you have finished your lunch with a fruit, it is perfectly fine to leave some room for an ice cream in the afternoon,” confirms Baillancourt.
Ice cream after eating? Beware of the glycemic rise!
However, eating this dessert right after a meal can prevent a sharp spike in blood sugar levels, similar to any other sweet dessert. At this point, carbohydrates mix with the rest of the food in your stomach, including fiber, protein, and fats, helping to balance and stabilize blood sugar levels.
On the other hand, consuming pure sugar between meals can cause a significant glycemic peak, followed by a drop in blood sugar levels. “People who are prone to diabetes should be careful: a hyperglycemic peak in the afternoon can be dangerous for their health,” warns her.
Recommendations from the nutritionist
Whether you want to consume it after a meal or as a snack, which type should you choose? “Whether it’s sorbet or ice cream, there are about 20 to 25 grams of sugar per 100 grams of product,” notes Baillancourt. These are products that contain a lot of sugar. “Everyone has to decide for themselves what is best for them!”
As far as frequency is concerned, daily consumption is best avoided. “Ice cream can replace other important foods that are normally consumed as dessert, such as yogurt or fruit. It is advisable to limit ice cream consumption during the summer holidays to a maximum of once every three days, so about twice a week,” she advises.
For those who want to maintain their weight or lose weight, Baillancourt recommends limiting ice cream consumption to once a week. “This way, the calorie intake is distributed over the other six days so that there are no significant deviations.”
The rest of the time you should prefer fruit! “Take a nectarine, for example,” she advises, “which is rich in vitamins, minerals and polyphenols. These are incredibly healthy and such seasonal fruits are only available for a short time, so don’t miss out on them.”
**Le Meilleur Moment pour Manger une Glace selon une Dietéticienne**
This article first appeared on topsante.com – Author: Anne-Florence Salvetti Lionne