Let's face it...ice cream is the ultimate comfort food. Whether you had a bad day or you just got broken up with...we have found ourselves eating ice cream, sometimes straight out of the container and before you know it, you ate the whole thing!
So how bad is it to down an entire pint of ice cream in one sitting? Well...it can lead to some not-so-pleasant consequences, but...there are actually some upsides also.
- Your obesity risk increases - A pint of ice cream could have about a thousand calories, which is more than half the daily intake of calories for some people. Extra calories can lead to weight gain and if you do it on a regular basis, it’s going to add up fast, but if it’s only once in a blue moon, there’s no need to worry.
- Your blood sugar stays somewhat normal - It won’t send your blood sugar soaring like you might expect. Unless you have reactive hypoglycemia or you’re diabetic, it should stay in a normal range.
- You may gain belly fat - A pint of ice cream may contain around 120 grams of carbs and carbs that aren’t used get stored as fat on top of the fat content the ice cream already has. Registered dietitian Edwina Clark says eating a lot of refined carbs can result in belly fat accumulation.
- Your bones will get stronger - Ice cream is a dairy product that contains calcium and when it binds with phosphorus, also found in ice cream, it can help with bone strength.
- It can raise your risk for heart disease - Thanks to the 40 grams of saturated fat in that pint you’re downing, you’ll probably see a spike in triglycerides and cholesterol and if those levels stay high, that can increase your risk of heart disease.
- You may feel sluggish - After eating any rich meal, you may feel a little lazy, but all that fat in ice cream may take longer to digest and can cause bloating and indigestion that can keep you from getting a solid night’s sleep.
- You’ll feel happier - Sure, it feels good to treat yourself, but all those carbs can also give you a small boost of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that lifts your mood.
Source: Eat This, Not That