Vegan Ice Cream Nutrition

My mom asked me what the difference in nutrition is between regular dairy ice cream and vegan ice cream.  So I figured I'd share my findings.

I looked at So Delicious Coconut Milk Chocolate ice cream.

 

Calories (based on a 1/2 cup serving): 150

Calories from Fat: 81

Total Fat: 9.0g

Saturated Fat: 8.0g

Cholesterol: 0mg

Sodium: 5mg

Carbohydrates: 20.0g

Dietary Fiber: 6.0g

Sugars: 12g

Protein: 1g

Vitamin A: 0%

Vitamin C: 0%

Calcium: 0%

Iron: 10%

 

(This information was acquired through caloriecount.about.com.)

 

And compared it to Ben & Jerry's Chocolate ice cream.

 

Calories (doesn't specify what a serving is): 260

Calories from fat: 144

Total Fat: 16g

Saturated Fat: 11g

Cholesterol: 50mg

Sodium: 50mg

Carbohydrates: 25g

Dietary Fiber: 2g

Sugars: 22g

Protein: 4g

Vitamin A: 10%

Calcium: 15%

Iron: 6%

 

(This information was acquired through caloriecount.about.com.)

 

In many ways vegan ice cream is healthier than regular dairy ice cream.  It definitely has less calories, cholesterol, sodium, sugar and has more fiber.  Regular dairy ice cream does provide more Vitamin A and Calcium.  But vegan ice cream provides more Iron.

 

You'd have to decide for yourself whether or not it's worth it.  I think it is.  I don't get iron from meat, so I try to eat foods that are supplemented with iron in order to keep my levels at a normal level.  My body has always had issues with ice cream and dairy.  For me, eating an ice cream that doesn't make me nauseous after eating it is a good buy!

 

"Keep Moving Forward"









Vegan Ice Cream

I had a craving for ice cream today.  It's a beautiful sunny, summer day with sporadic rain.  Perfect for ice cream. 

I've only had vegan ice cream from the Chicago Diner, so I was curious to try some.  On my way to Whole Foods, I thought I'd get two different brands to try: So Delicious and Tofutti.  However, when I arrived, I saw that Tofutti was not there.  So I decided on two flavors instead.

The Pomegranate Chip was delicious.  It's a good flavor when you want a refreshing and fruity ice cream.  I like that this brand gives you a dairy free and soy free option.  A lot of vegan products use soy, but it's not the only ingredient to make it vegan.  Some other ice creams I saw used almond milk.  I did taste the coconut a little.  Still delicious, but I wasn't expecting to taste it.

Oh my goodness!  Peanut Butter Zig Zag is fantastic!  I only allowed myself a couple spoonfuls of this one since I had already tasted the Pomegranate Chip.  This is so rich and scrumptious!  The name definitely describes it perfectly!  It truly is Purely Decadent!

 

I am hoping to try to make a milk shake with a couple scoops of one of the ice creams and a little soy milk.  I'd also like to try other vegan ice creams, like the ones made with almond milk.

 

If you're unfamiliar with the different milks vegans can have, here's a list:

Soy milk

Almond milk (or any nut-based milk)

Coconut milk

 

All are very delicious and can be used in their own way.  For certain recipes, you might prefer a certain kind of milk.  Some recipes specify what kind.  I love soy milk for cereal, hot chocolate, and many recipes.  However, my favorite for smoothies is almond milk.  I like the flavor it adds.

 

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer day like I am!

 

"Keep Moving Forward"

Inspiration

Do you ever have one of those days where all you want to do is sit and do nothing?

Maybe not absolutely nothing.  Maybe watch movies and give yourself a mani/pedi; create art/scrapbook/craft; read a book.

Well I have been having many of those days this week.  I just watch as my to do list gets longer and I'm not doing anything to put a dent in it.  I just sit and watch movies/TV while reading articles online, giving myself a mani/pedi, or looking at pictures.  Most of these days are because I've been so tired.  I haven't been sleeping well.  I'll stay up late from work or from anxiety in starting a new job.  Then I'll try to wake up early in order to get my to do list done. 

Today I am putting a dent in that to do list.  I allowed myself to sleep in, which caused me to sleep for twelve hours!  I still feel tired.  However, I do need to get things accomplished. 

Like most people, sometimes I need something to inspire me to get things done.  I decided that today's inspiration will come from movies.  I organize my movies in categories and then by alphabetical order.  (I know I'm a little obsessive. haha)  I do have an inspiration section that includes all the movies I find inspiring.  Today I turned to my movie series section which includes TV shows and movies that were extended to more than one movie. 

What's my inspiration?

 

 

 

The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings saga.  And being able to watch movies that features Viggo Mortensen is a giant plus!

For some reason I always get a lot done while these movies are in my DVD player.  Maybe because they're so long and that they are filled with adventure (even if it is a lot of walking).  I also don't have to sit and watch them.  There are movies that I cannot watch and do other things...if it's on, I'm watching.  These, on the other hand, allow me to get things accomplished.  I've already put a dent in my to do list.

What gives you inspiration to get things done?

"Keep Moving Forward"

Tired of looking tired

Three co-workers at work tonight asked me if I was okay.  I responded, "fine, why?"  Only one responded with, "you look tired." 

I was tired today.  But when I headed off to work, I thought I looked like this:

Alert and pretty.

But I guess I looked more like this:

I can't wait until I get my hours for both jobs straightened out soon so I can have a regular sleep schedule and not feel like I need a caffeine drip in my arm.  I'm sick of looking tired.

"Keep Moving Forward"

Broadway in the Park

This past Monday I went to Millennium Park with my friend Heidi to go see Broadway in the Park.  It's all Broadway in Chicago's musicals that are currently on stage or are coming up this theatre season (October to May). 

I had so much fun watching the show!  I love musicals, but I can't afford to go to see shows at the moment.  It was so great to see a free concert full of musical theatre!  I'm glad I brought towels because we couldn't get actual seats and sat on the grass.  But we had a decent view of the stage.  I wish we brought a picnic.  I saw so many people who brought small tables to set up a picnic.  It was such a great idea.  I wish I had it!  Next time!

We saw songs from the following shows:

We Will Rock You

 

 

Flashdance

 

 

Evita (I ignored this one since I hate the show)

 

 

Once (this sounds like a wonderful show and I'd like to see it)

 

 

Wicked (this is a classic that I've seen three or four times)

 

Elf the musical (the actor who plays Buddy is simply perfect!)

 

 

 

 

It's hard to see but that's Sam the Snowman on stage, the narrator of Rudolph. The costume is actually very comical because the body of the snowman is huge but they used the actor's head as the head of the snowman.  It just looks weird.  Makes you laugh though.

Santa is in Chicago!

Santa!

Santa!  I know him!  I know him!

Buddy the elf and Santa

 

 

Ghost the musical (I didn't understand where the song was supposed to be in the show...maybe you need to see the whole thing)

 

 

Million Dollar Quartet (I really want to see this)

 

 

Motown (They had the "Jackson 5" sing and the kid who plays Michael Jackson sounds almost exactly like him!  It's amazing!  I want to see this.)

 

 

They handed out free stuff, like this awesome mustache promoting Peter and the Starcatcher (which looks amazing and I want to see it).

A fan

And a Flashdance snap bracelet!  It's pink!

 

 

I had so much fun with a good friend.  Definitely something to do again in the future!

Sometimes you just want junk food

You know the days.  You had a rough day at work or you're just craving something salty.  So what do you eat to fill your cravings as a vegan?

My go to for saltiness are Terra Chips.  They have a variety but I'm a sucker for their original.

The ingredients are simple: a variety of vegetables (or one depending on the kind you get), canola/safflower/sunflower oil, and salt.  Simple, readily available in any grocery store, and full of salty yumminess. 

They also don't make you feel like crap after you eat them.  I don't know about you, but after I eat a bag of chips, like Lay's (which actually are vegan - the original), I feel gross.  Like I just ate a bag of grease.  Terra Chips, however, don't make you feel like that.  Probably because you're eating actual vegetables, which is a huge plus because you get a serving of vegetables in while you fill your salt craving.

If I'm in the mood for chocolate instead of something salty, I go for dark chocolate (the higher the cacao the better).  Or for some good old-fashioned Oreos. 

Yes!  I did say Oreos! 

Oreos actually have no dairy in them at all.  It's still not a super healthy option.  However, if you do want chocolate and something sweet, these are convenient.  The ingredients list on an Oreo package is long.  Let me sum it up for you.  The entire cookie is basically made of soy, oils, flour, and lots of sugar.  The type of sugar is questionable.  So if it's 100% vegan, we don't know.  In the meantime, I'll sum it up as being vegan.

I've been eating Oreos since I was little.  My mom and my grandmother would pick me up from my babysitter when I was in elementary school on their way home from work.  My grandmother always brought me four Oreos, without fail.  I'd give her one, per her request, and eat the rest.  It was a simple gesture, but I loved it.  Whenever I eat an Oreo now, I think of my grandmother.  I, for one, am super excited that Oreos are vegan.

Rethinking my Staples

Every person has their own personal staples that they keep in their cupboard.  They're not always the same.  It changes depending on their daily diet. 

Let's talk about the word diet for a second.  I might throw that word out there in my blog.  However, it does not mean dieting to lose weight.  When I use the word diet, it means a person's daily diet...how they eat on a daily basis.  Society has turned the word diet into an ugly word when it really has a simple meaning.  I am trying to lose weight but I'm not "dieting."  I am changing my eating habits and making a lifestyle change.  I am deciding to eat a vegan diet.  It's a choice and a habit change. 

Back to my point...

I am rethinking the staples in my cupboard and refrigerator.  Some items I've had as staples for years, but now I'm adding to it for my health and to balance out my diet.  So what are my staples?

 

Have a variety of vegetables, both fresh and frozen

 

 



 

Have a variety of fruit, both fresh and frozen

 

*Unsweetened applesauce also comes in handy since its delicious to eat and also can replace eggs in baked goods

 

 

 

 

I love brown rice...it can be paired with anything.  Plus if you mix black beans and brown rice together, it makes a complete protein.

 

Black beans!!  Love them...use them in practically everything.  I always have about 5 cans at all times in my cupboard.

Garlic and onions have to be put together.  They are a great staple.  Just sauté garlic and onion and add whatever you like and you have a great meal.

 

 

Salt and pepper...no need to really explain.  Add it to any meal and it adds flavor.

 

I love diced tomatoes.  You can add it to anything or make a sauce from them.  They're wonderful to have on hand.

Nutritional yeast.  This I have not tried yet, but am determined to make it a staple in my kitchen.  Nutritional yeast gives vegetarians the B12 they need that they're missing from not eating meat.  It also gives a cheesy taste when you add salt.  You can put it on popcorn or practically any meal you want.  I've asked around and there's mixed reviews on nutritional yeast.  However, experts vouch for it (i.e. the amazing Kris Carr).

 

Popcorn!!  This was a last minute addition to my list because of my comment about it above.  I love popcorn!!  I eat it all the time.  It's such a great snack.  I didn't eat it for the longest time because I don't have a microwave.  My dad was so great and bought me a popcorn maker.  It makes a lot of popcorn for such a tiny machine.  It's just plain popcorn.  So if I want to add spices, that's my decision.  I do eat it plain a lot.  I did try it with curry powder, but I didn't like it.  Maybe someone reading this might.

 

These are my staples.  What are yours?

 

"Keep Moving Forward"