TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) – Ice Cream is an all-American treat and a favorite way to indulge on a hot summer day but what if someone said it was also a way to stay trim?
Believe it or not, the tasty treat is part of a new diet regimen featured in Prevention Magazine. “Oh boy, let’s go!” exclaimed a woman News 4 spoke to in Tonawanda.
Along with a healthy, balanced diet of 1,500 calories a day and regular exercise, you can have your ice cream and eat it too.
According to “The Ice Cream Diet” by registered dietitian Holly McCord, women can have 1 cup of ice cream per day, and men can indulge in a cup and a half.
“I would start it yesterday. I would be totally gung-ho for that,” said Becky Reina of Tonowanda.
Diane Maulding of Tonowanda said she’d also be on board, “Yes I will. Sounds good to me! I love ice cream.”
There is a catch to the diet; it only works with low fat ice cream containing 125 calories or less per half-cup serving, so women can eat 250 calories of ice cream per day, while men can consume 375.
It also means high calorie favorites like Ben & Jerry’s don’t make the cut.
This ‘treat yourself thin’ technique might seem too good to be true, but local registered dietitian Katie Manis says there is science behind it.
“The diet’s actually not crazy. It’s part a balanced meal, it includes balanced calories, it includes physical activity, it includes real food that you can buy at any grocery store,” Manis explained. “Dairy is great source of calcium. And there’s been some research that’s shown that people who eat higher calcium diets weigh less.”
Chelsea Fontana works at Mississippi Mudds in Tonawanda and is around ice cream every day. She admitted she’s a little a suspicious, but said the new trend beats the standard fat-free, low-carb routine that’s become so popular.
“I think it’d be a fun way to try and lose weight. I mean, it’s something different. And I’m always up for new things,” she said.
According to Women’s Health, 80 percent of women have tried a fad diet at some point.
Manis told News 4 the key to staying on track with any diet, is treating yourself without feeling guilty. “The best diet you can do is one that you’re going to stick with. And one that has balanced eating, and ice cream is good!” she said.
She continued, “If you can figure out a way to make that part of your diet, to fit into your calories for the day, then that’s a benefit. It might actually help people stick with the diet.”
Most western New York women told News 4 whether “The Ice Cream Diet” is a sure thing or not, they’re ready to grab a scoop.