Weighing up your ice cream choice

As record temperatures continue across the country, many are turning to an ice cream or lolly to help them cool down. But just how many calories are in these frozen treats?

Academics from Loughborough University’s Centre for Lifestyle Medicine and Behaviour (CLiMB) have taken a look at the calorie content of some of the country’s favourite ice creams and lollies, and the physical activity needed to burn them off.

The results may make some people rethink their treat of choice!

A chocolate Magnum contains 280 calories, which equates to around 54 minutes walking, or a 27-minute run, with the popular ice cream van cone coming in at 218 calories – equal to a 42-minute walk or a 21-minute run.

But the treat in this sample with the highest calorie content is a 405g tub of Berry and Jerrys chocolate fudge brownie ice cream. This contains 1,121 calories, which would require a 210-minute walk or a 102-minute run to burn off.

Professor Amanda Daley, the Director of CLiMB and an expert in public health, said: “We may think these are just small treats, but they can add a significant amount to your daily calorie count. The holiday seasons are the time that we gain the most weight, and often don’t lose it all afterwards. As we continue to battle an obesity crisis across the world, it is important people understand just what they are consuming and the impact over time these foods can have on their health.

“Of course, it is roasting hot and holiday time so there is nothing wrong with having the odd treat, but one or two ice creams a week on holiday is probably enough. Eating a tub of ice cream is going to take over three hours of medium paced walking to burn off, and it contains around 50% of the daily recommended calorie allowance for an adult, so best avoided unless you have a long brisk seaside walk planned afterwards. And don’t forget, there are healthier alternatives available, such as ice lollies, sorbet, and frozen yogurt.”

If you are still tempted to treat yourself, here are the results of our ice cream and lolly calorie check:

 

Notes for editors

Press release reference number: PR 22/130

Loughborough is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.

It has been awarded five stars in the independent QS Stars university rating scheme, named the best university in the world for sports-related subjects in the 2022 QS World University Rankings and University of the Year for Sport by The Times and Sunday Times University Guide 2022.

Loughborough is in the top 10 of every national league table, being ranked 7th in The UK Complete University Guide 2022, and 10th in both the Guardian University League Table 2022 and the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022.

Loughborough is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in the Times Higher Education’s ‘table of tables’ and is in the top 10 in England for research intensity. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, Loughborough has been awarded seven Queen's Anniversary Prizes.

The Loughborough University London campus is based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and offers postgraduate and executive-level education, as well as research and enterprise opportunities. It is home to influential thought leaders, pioneering researchers and creative innovators who provide students with the highest quality of teaching and the very latest in modern thinking.

Categories