During the summer heat, many of us crave something sweet to calm down our sweet tooth and cool us down; you can eat it in a bowl, on a stick, or in a cone.
Most commonly we choose ice cream, as a summer refreshment and sweetening.
And although ice cream is one of the least harmful treats, how safe is it to consume it every day?
We believe that there is no one person in the world, who does not like ice cream.
There are numerous varieties of it, from milky and chocolaty, to fruit flavored.
In some countries, there are some particular exotic flavors, for example in Japan, but this is an entirely different story.
Nowadays, there are so many kinds, and often online you can find recipes that offer you a simple way to make ice cream at home.
Today the market for ice cream is so rich and diverse, you can find vegan, halal, and also kosher ice cream.
And when we speak of it, the question is what kind of ice cream is considered to be kosher, is any ice cream kosher, or does it has to have some conditions to be fulfilled?
Read here – but right away we will say that things are much more complicated in modern days when the production of ice creams is different than before when only simple ingredients were used.
Is Ice Cream Kosher?
Before this wonderfully icy delight was seen as a kosher dairy product that was safe for consumption, since it had sugar, cream, and added flavor, like the three simplest kinds, strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate.
In one strawberry was added other vanilla beans and in the third cocoa.
Very simple and clean, and therefore safe for people who follow a kosher diet.
But, just as we have said in the beginning, today ice cream market is changed drastically and we cannot speak in terms that ice cream is made out of simple and clean ingredients.
Things become so complicated in these terms that, in the kosher community, ice cream is seen as one of the most challenging dairy products to learn if is it truly kosher or not.
What can make an ice non-kosher?
Today the ingredients and the manufacturing process are a bit more complicated and this is what makes the problematic of this issue.
The essential components include the ice cream mixture, representing the combination of liquids and powders and on that flavors will be added as well as that mixture will be frozen.
Most commonly, ice cream includes some type of milk, cream, sweetener, emulsifier, and stabilizer.
The cream is the main ingredient in ice creams – and it comes from fatty milk, and some like to call it sweet cream.
But have in mind here that cream can be obtained, for cheaper manufacture, from cheese. And this is what experts like to call sensitive status, and this may really be the problem for kosher consumers.
These types of ice cream often have a lot more sugar and added flavorings to disguise the flavor of whey cream.
These ice creams do not have to be kosher. So be careful.
Nonfat milk and skim milk are often added – skim milk is by kosher rules, but when it comes to nonfat milk it can obtain some components which are not kosher, and here lies the problem.
This type of milk is made into powder from a liquid state and there, during this process, it can be in contact with some non-kosher ingredients.
Then we get to see sweeteners, most commonly here corn syrup is used as well as glucose.
In both of these cases, there must be a kosher certificate and regular sugar can also be used, and it does not pose any problem for kosher consumers.
In the end, in the production of modern-day ice cream, some stabilizers must be used.
Most commonly, xanthan or carrageenan gum, or maybe locust bean, all food gums in powder form.
They donate to the consistency of the final product, and there is no one direction as to which of these gums, or a combination of these gums, is utilized for ice cream production.
Before gelatin was used, this was a problem for all kosher rules, but nowadays there is not a problem since it is not used anymore.
And, also there are elements called emulsifiers that make the fat or the cream to be mixed in the proper way and to make sure ice cream is smooth.
Usually, these are mono- and diglycerides and they often come from an animal source and this poses a big problem for kosher regulations.
Those who enjoy watery ice cream which is not made out of milk, but its base is water, are the people who love so-called lighter versions.
Often these ice creams are called nondairy.
But this should not fool us into thinking that this is kosher, as frequently pasteurized tools are used to make all ice cream and this will ruin their kosher status.
As something to be kosher even in the moment of its preparation cannot be in touch with non-kosher equipment or produce.
Similarly, the flavorings found in these nondairy ice creams can contract some of the dairy components during production.
So never think that something nondairy is in non-dairy frozen desserts percent kosher.
And it does make a difference in what way ice cream is packed – it is frozen at minus 10 and more degrees below zero. If some additions and toppings were added at this point they also have to be kosher.
It could be marshmallows, chocolate chips, nuts, etc.
More about ice cream
So, if you have looked and all components in the ice cream are suitable for your diet, or there is a label which confirms that this ice cream is, in fact, kosher; then you get to wonder what kind to choose and how much you can eat it.
It is healthy at all?
How healthy the consumption of ice cream is on a daily basis was not only asked by ordinary people, but also by nutritionists and numerous doctors.
It is specifically for this reason that numerous studies on this topic have been conducted.
The conclusion is that ice cream, as a delicacy, has both positive and negative sides, and that all, just as you may expect lies in moderation.
For people who are active in sports, it could be useful to eat ice cream for the purpose of muscle building.
In fact, here the sugar is food as when this treat is consumed frozen provides benefits, as it helps build muscle and prevent protein breakdown, due to a sharp spike in insulin.
So it is advisable to eat it like two hours after training.
Nonetheless, keep in mind that ice cream will have an effect only if it does not exceed the suggested daily amount of calories.
Otherwise, strenuous activity will have no effect, so here also do it in a moderate way, and also do not choose kinds with too much sugar.
Can ice cream be healthy for the immune system – cold food generally defines a kind of small stress on the body.
However, this does not necessarily mean that stress is negative.
Namely, the daily consumption of ice cream during the summer can be a great workout for immunity, but here also you should not eat it too much.
If you consume ice cream every day, there is also a greater risk of gaining weight, in the same way, you do it with any sweetness when you eat it too much.
Namely, ice cream contains fats, sugar, and calories, which not only lead to obesity but also to diabetes and the development of numerous cardiovascular diseases.
It would be best to choose homemade, healthier versions of this icy treat.
Eating ice cream every day can cause tooth sensitivity, especially if you are used to biting it.
If you feel discomfort, contact your dentist, we all know that terrible feeling that makes us feel really bad when a cold ice cream touches our teeth.
But, if you suffer from insomnia, you should not eat a bowl of ice cream.
Ice cream as a meal before bed is not a good idea, and if you have a problem sleeping do not do it.
And it’s not just the amount of sugar and calories that can lead to weight gain.
Scientists say that a diet low in fiber and high in saturated fat can cause frequent night awakenings and light and restless sleep.
Therefore, it is better to choose something healthier – for example, a banana rich in magnesium.
Conclusion
In some older times, it was rather easy to learn if the ice cream was kosher or not, as it had only cream and natural flavors.
Nowadays, things are not as simple as we think, as there are many additions to it, flavorings, stabilators, and emulsifiers.
This is why it is always best to look for the kosher label on the ice cream of your choice.
Milk can be the issue here, as not all parts of milk are seen as kosher- the animal and milking process must be supervised.
Nowadays if you look at the kosher aisle in your store, we are certain that you will be able to find ice cream that suits your taste and that does not comprise any kosher rules.
It is noticeable that many ice cream companies are very aware of this market and that they are offering them many to choose from.
There is also an option to make ice cream yourself, in the simple way to mix cream and some simple ingredients like sugar, vanilla, or cocoa powder.
If you find yourself somewhere and do not know what to look for always look for the kosher labelings if possible.
As we concluded, today’s ice cream has so many more components than in the past, to make it cheaper and last longer, that it is no surprise why major supervision is necessary in this case.
But when you find the right one, eat it moderately and enjoy!
There is plenty to choose from, and there are many recipes that can help you make your own.
