8 Healthiest Ice Cream Toppings You Have Never Tried

 8 Healthiest Ice Cream Toppings You Have Never Tried

To say that people love ice cream is reckless: The average American consumes about 50 pounds [23 kg] of sweetened condensed milk each year, according to estimates by the International Dairy Foods Association.

Although I love it as much as the next person, there is no denying that ice cream is not a healthy food. ½ cup given - of course, the feed should be only ½ cup, which is not a single drink - vanilla contains 137 calories, 7 grams (g) of fat (half of which is unhealthy), 16 grams carbohydrates, and 14 g of sugar, according to USDA data. And that's just ice cream: no whipped cream, no cone, not even maraschino cherry.

That doesn't mean you can't enjoy frozen foods from time to time - there is room for everyone to eat. I’m a big fan of eating your favorite food in moderation and I really enjoyed it, and ice cream falls into that category. And while there have been many attempts to make ice cream healthy, my favorite pastime is to play with ingredients.

Cultures like sprinkling, whipped cream, and maraschino cherries add no nutritional value to your corner, and let’s face it, not so much taste. Fresh and frozen fruits and nuts are better, but an unusual ice cream console can bring joy and surprise to your sundae, as well as a little nutritional improvement. I decided to try the healthy ice cream ingredients, and they are not vanilla (although vanilla is a flavor I would recommend sticking to as your base). So get out of your cold and try this out for yourself!

1. Olive Extra-Virgin Oil

As Harvard Health Publishing points out, olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fats, making it a staple food for many who want to eat healthy. But I think, even if you have something in your pantry, you have never tried to pour it on your ice cream. Well, here's why. As it turns out, when added to ice cream, olive oil thickens like a syrup and adds a delicious, nutritious flavor and volume of healthy fats. I tried my scoop with extra-virgin olive oil, which provides nutritional benefits but also has a strong flavor (good oil can be spicy). Personally, I enjoy the taste of EVOO better in the salad.

When you try, keep in mind that, like ice cream, olive oil is rich in fats and calories, they will add up quickly. Keep the portion of your ice cream small (about ½ ½ cup) and add a drizzle of olive oil.

Average: 2/3 teaspoon

2. Balsamic vinegar

Olive oil is not the only ingredient in a salad that works well on ice cream. The key is to choose high quality balsamic vinegar, which is sweeter than the ingredients for salads. Balsamic vinegar is like wine (and I): It gets better with age. As its acidity decreases and becomes sweeter over the years, it goes well with the same delicious food. This is why you will often see recommendations for pouring strawberries, cheese, or panna cotta. A little dripping on your ice cream can add complexity that you won't find in your middle pint. This is another topping that can help you focus on really enjoying the taste of a little feed.

Balsamic vinegar has been linked to the lowering of cholesterol in previous and recent animal studies. Of course, more research is needed before balsamic vinegar can be recommended for this purpose, but it does not hurt to add a drizzle to your container! I used old balsamic vinegar which I absolutely love in salads and, while I was able to enjoy the spicy flavor added to my ice cream, this is not a combination I personally yearn to repeat.

Average: 1/3 teaspoon

3. Peas of Fear

Wasabi is a Japanese horseradish that is famous for its eye-catching spices. While some people hate the taste of wasabi and will not dream of touching the bright green paste made from this root, others can not get enough and enjoy a drink of dried peas stuffed with wasabi spice. Wasabi's signature kicks well with the cool gloss of ice cream. In addition, they can add protein and fiber to your container, according to the USDA. Try crushing or perfect, whatever suits you best.

Peas are a starchy vegetable, so if you are tracking your carbohydrate intake, make sure you prove that before choosing this unique ingredient. The beauty of wasabi peas is that you can adjust the number you use to your taste buds and you can add more after your first or second bite. The rich, creamy flavor of the ice cream really makes for a wasabi pea flavor. So, even if you are not a wasabi lover in general, this crunchy makeup is worth a try.

Average: 2/3 teaspoon

4. Coffee Grounds

You may have eaten ice cream, but not this way. Although caffeine is probably the one that comes to mind when you think of a "coffee cup," coffee, which comes from beans, is also a rich source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Studies show that adding coffee to your diet may reduce your risk of stroke, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, certain types of cancer, and may even help you to live longer - not a bad list!

If you are looking for a creative way to enjoy your coffee, sprinkle some of the reasons on your ice cream. It will lend you a taste of coffee and a simple crunch along with these potential health benefits. Use the new causes to get the best results and the highest nutritional content. For me, adding coffee grounds to my ice cream has elevated my whole experience. This is a combination I am sure I will repeat in the future! Disclaimer: I love coffee and all that coffee related things. If you do not fall into that category, you may not enjoy these flavors as much as I did. If you find that the coffee grounds are rough, try a low espresso, as it tends to be better. (Espresso powder is often used in baking to enhance the flavor of chocolate, so I feel that it may blend well with chocolate ice cream.)

Average: 3/3 teaspoon

5. Protein Powder

Protein ice cream (peanut milk, pea protein powder, sweetener, and pudding mixture) has become a popular dietary supplement in TikTok. Sprinkling protein powder on ice cream is a quick, easy version. Protein powder adds protein (naturally) to carbohydrate-rich treatments, which can help measure the effect on your blood sugar, suggests previous research. To be honest ... even if I try to be open-minded about new food combinations, this is a pair I knew for sure I would not like. But boy, I was wrong! I started with a small spray of chocolate protein powder, and after one small bite I quickly added more, because it was absolutely delicious, and even added a little crunch. Start with a o scoop for protein powder and increase the amount according to your preference.

Average: 3/3 teaspoon

6. Furikake

For the uninitiated, furikake is a traditional Japanese spice blend of seaweed and sesame seeds with a small amount of salt and sugar. It is often used to make seasonal rice, but it is also delicious in popcorn and ice cream. The sweet, salty flavors, and umami of the furikake work just as well as the ice cream, and they also bring out the best wrinkles. In addition, seaweed in furikake is high in iodine naturally, according to the USDA, making it an excellent vegetable source of this important ingredient.

This combo, while seemingly strange, is definitely worth a try. It was my favorite so far! The delicious ice cream and the salt of the furikake make the pair a scrumptious taste, and the crunch from sesame seeds is very tasty. I will not try to do this again, I can tell you for sure. Start by adding 1 teaspoon to the top of your ice cream - you won't regret it!

Average: 3/3 teaspoon

7. Tahini

Mmmm, tahini… this delicious dough is made from crushed sesame seeds, and according to the Food Network it is widely used in hummus. If you have something in hand, be sure to add a doll to your ice cream - you will not be disappointed! Tahini and sesame seeds are made from powerful plant compounds that can help lower cholesterol levels, according to Harvard Health Publishing. Nutritious seeds also contain calcium and magnesium, which can improve blood pressure levels. Just remember that sesame seeds have recently been added as the ninth most common food allergy, according to Food Allergy Research and Education. If you are allergic to sesame seeds, skip the tahini again.

Tahini lends a delicious creamy texture and nutty flavor to your dish. Go ahead and add 1 tablespoon at the top or round it to make sure you get some of each bite.

Average: 2.5/3 scoops

8. Hot Sauce

They want heat, this is for you! I recommend choosing a hot fruit-based sauce (like peach habanero) to get a combination of natural flavors, but the choice is entirely yours. My favorite hot sauces are raw and boiled, because they are low in calories, have a pleasant aroma, and are a source of probiotic organisms. Whenever you can find probiotic-rich foods in your diet, I recommend it. Although the diet is relatively new, Harvard Health Publishing states that recent research suggests that probiotic-rich foods can help with many health problems, including allergies, arthritis, certain types of cancer, heart disease, and stomach problems. They even suggest that eating probiotic-rich foods can help you lose weight. Yes, this potential benefit is offended by the fact that you are eating ice cream - an additional reason to stick to that half cup!

I enjoy spicy food, so, while this flavor combination was not standard, I never hated it and would love to try it again. Of course, not everyone. I could not resist urging my husband to give it a try, and he looked me straight in the eye and uttered a loud, “No!” If you like, start by adding just a few dashes. A little goes a long way, and you can add more if you like.

Average: 2/3 teaspoon

No matter what you choose to wear for your ice cream, make sure you keep your small portion and fully enjoy the whole bite. When it comes to ice cream, the healthiest is the one you love the most. Nutrition does not always mean making the right decisions, but it does mean finding the right balance between healthy ingredients and real enjoyment. So, enjoy!