Q: If I switch my summertime treat from ice cream to sorbet, will that help with weight control or be more nutritious?A: A half-cup of ice cream, which is the standard serving size listed on labels, usually contains 130 to 200 calories, but richer, high-fat types may contain up to 300 calories.
Sorbet is a nonfat, non-dairy frozen dessert made with fruit puree or juice, sugar (or corn syrup or both), flavorings and a bit of pectin or other thickener. Calories are typically 110 to 140 in that half-cup serving. So it's substantially lower in calories than rich ice cream, but not necessarily a lower-calorie alternative to lighter versions of ice cream.
Each half-cup serving contains 5 to 9 teaspoons of sugar, which includes both the natural sugar in fruit and added sugar and high fructose corn syrup.
Even when it's made with berries or other fruits high in nutrients like vitamin C, sorbet is not necessarily a good source of those nutrients.
Bottom line: The single biggest way to reduce the impact of frozen desserts on your weight is portion control.
Sorbet is a refreshing treat, but for nutrition impact, top a small portion of whatever you choose with a half-cup of unsweetened fruit.
You can also make a major impact by switching from ice cream as a nightly necessity to a weekly treat.