As summer approaches, cravings for gelato grow stronger, along with common questions: “Will it make me gain weight? How many calories does it have? Should I choose fruit-based or cream-based flavors?”
The calorie content of gelato is quite variable due to the wide range of recipes and ingredient compositions available. However, it’s possible to estimate the calories by considering the main nutritional components:
- Sugars (sucrose, lactose, fructose)
- Fats (milk fat, cream, vegetable fats)
- Proteins (milk, eggs, nuts)
Caloric values per gram of macronutrients:
Macronutrient | Calories per gram |
|---|
Sugars | 4 |
Fats | 9 |
Proteins | 4 |
Fruit-based gelato vs Cream-based gelato:
- Fruit gelato generally has fewer calories because it contains less fat.
- Sorbetto (sorbets) are even lower in calories as they usually contain water instead of milk or eggs.
- Be cautious: some fruit gelatos or sorbets may be high in added sugars, increasing calorie content.
Practical calorie examples (per 100 grams):
- Chocolate gelato cone: ~240 calories
- Cream-based gelato: ~190 calories
- Fruit gelato: ~130 calories
- Sorbetto: ~105 calories
While a chocolate gelato cone can be a light snack on a beach day or a treat within a balanced diet, eating it after a heavy pasta meal or fried food might tip your daily caloric intake too high.
The key takeaway: balance is essential. Enjoy artisanal gelato as part of a varied diet, savoring the quality and natural ingredients without guilt.