Get your FroYo on for the Summer

Yo. It’s Summer! “I scream, you scream we all scream for ….Yogurt?” Frozen Yogurt that is.  Unless you’ve been hibernating in your home lately, you have probably noticed the up crop of self-serve Frozen Yogurt Shoppes around town.

Frozen yogurt (also spelled frozen yoghurt; also known by the trade names  Frogurt and FroYo) is a frozen dessert made with yogurt and sometimes other dairy products. It varies from being slightly more tart than ice cream as well as being lower in fat (due to the use of milk instead of cream). It is different from ice milk (more recently termed low-fat or light ice cream) and conventional soft serve. Unlike yogurt, frozen yogurt is not regulated by the FDA but is regulated by some states. Frozen yogurt may or may not contain live and active bacteria cultures. (Wikipedia)

Frozen Yogurt has been around since the 1970’s, took off in the 1980’s and sort of melted away in the late 1990’s due to too much competition. "There is definitely a sustained resurgence and consumer interest in frozen yogurt. That really is a phenomenon that is coast-to-coat and it has been in full swing for the last six years," said Corey Henry, vice president of the National Yogurt Association, which is based in McLean, Va. It's a combination of a number of different factors. But one of them is the health issue," Mr. Henry said. "Consumers are looking for treats that are healthy and it's about understanding that, whether it's regular yogurt or frozen yogurt, the product has what we call probiotic cultures.

One cup of regular vanilla ice cream contains 275 calories, 5 grams of protein, 31 grams of carbohydrates, 15 grams of fat and 9 grams of saturated fat. One cup of regular vanilla frozen yogurt contains 221 calories, 5 grams of protein, 38 grams of carbohydrates, 6 grams of fat and 4 grams of saturated fat. So definitely there is less fat. But if calories and sugar are what you are trying to cut back on, try a little granola or fresh fruit as a lower caloric topping instead of the Gummy bears, Oreo pieces, marshmallows and crumbled Snicker Bars to name a few. Not to mention they charge you by the ounce…keep an eye on your little ones filling the ½ gallon bucket to the brim…you may end up doing dishes to pay for the treats.

Whether it is the probiotics or just the taste, getting your FroYo on this summer may be a healthier choice when it comes to cooling down your taste buds. Check with your doctor if you have lactose concerns or issues with live yogurt cultures before indulging and have a delicious summer!