Two popular picks? Frozen yogurt (lovingly deemed as froyo) and coconut milk ice cream. Hey, yogurt and coconut are in their names, so they must be somewhat good for you, right? Well, both froyo and coconut milk ice cream offer their own beneficial nutrients, like calcium and fiber—but we’re still talking about dessert here. Read on to find out which frozen treat does the least amount of nutritional damage.
Frozen Yogurt vs. Coconut Milk Ice Cream
Calories
Frozen Yogurt: 108 caloriesCoconut Milk Ice Cream: 150 calories
For a measly half cup of dessert, neither is low in calories—but froyo has significantly fewer.
Protein
Frozen Yogurt: 3 gramsCoconut Milk Ice Cream: 1 gram
Fat
Frozen Yogurt: 3 grams (2 grams saturated)Coconut Milk Ice Cream: 9 grams (8 grams saturated)
Carbs
Frozen Yogurt: 18 gramsCoconut Milk Ice Cream: 20 grams
Sugar
Frozen Yogurt: 16 gramsCoconut Milk Ice Cream: 12 grams
Fiber
Frozen Yogurt: 2 gramsCoconut Milk Ice Cream: 6 grams
Calcium
Frozen Yogurt: 9% of your daily valueCoconut Milk Ice Cream: 0% of your daily value
Iron
Frozen Yogurt: 2% of your daily valueCoconut Milk Ice Cream: 10% of your daily value
Sodium
Frozen Yogurt: 2% of your daily valueCoconut Milk Ice Cream: 0.2% of your daily value
Potassium
Frozen Yogurt: 6% of your daily valueCoconut Milk Ice Cream: 0% of your daily value
Cholesterol
Frozen Yogurt: 4% of your daily valueCoconut Milk Ice Cream: 0% of your daily value
Vitamin A
Frozen Yogurt: 3% of your daily valueCoconut Milk Ice Cream: 0% of your daily value
So which is healthier: frozen yogurt or coconut milk ice cream?
The winner: Frozen yogurt
The bottom line
If you give up your go-to ice cream for frozen coconut dessert, you just traded one indulgence for another. It’s true that coconut contains a healthier type of saturated fat, but it’s still not doing you any major health favors. Both frozen yogurt and coconut milk ice cream are packed with added sugar, so portion control is key when you feel like treating yourself. Better yet, make your own dessert in just two steps: freeze a peeled banana and blend it.
