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Consumer Reports Gets The Scoop On Light Ice Cream

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Jun 11, 2009 8:26 pm US/Eastern

Consumer Reports Gets The Scoop On Light Ice Cream

LINK: ConsumerReports.org

(KDKA) Ice cream sales are expected to top $4 billion this year; yet some consumers are looking to cut back not on costs, but on calories.

So, Consumer Reports pitted several full-fat ice creams against their lighter versions to see how they compare.

Consumer Reports taste-tested three favorite flavors – Ben & Jerry's Phish Food, Breyers Butter Pecan and Edy's Mint Chocolate Chip - comparing the light versions as well as the full fat.

Testers with Consumer Reports also evaluated Häagen-Dazs coffee ice cream and Häagen-Dazs Five, its new and reduced-fat counterpart.

Technically, the Häagen-Dazs Five isn't a light ice cream because in order to qualify for that label, it has to have a third fewer calories or half the fat of the full-fat version. However, it does have a third less fat than the regular Häagen-Dazs.

As for the taste, testers said they were impressed. They said that the Häagen-Dazs Five is even denser and creamier than the regular version.

The three light ice creams impressed testers as well. They weren't exactly the same as the regular versions, but the testers said all three were tasty and flavorful.

For consumers trying to count calories, Consumer Reports says the two best light bets are Breyers and Edy's.

Testers said Edy's Slow Churned Mint Chocolate Chip was minty with lots of delicious chocolate chips. While it was a little gummy overall, it was still very good.

The Breyers Light ice cream was even better. Testers said the Breyers Smooth and Dreamy Butter Pecan is sweeter and tastes more buttery than the regular version.

Both of those ice creams cost less than half as much as the Häagen-Dazs and Ben & Jerry's.

Consumer Reports says the claim "light" can be a little confusing.

Among the light ice creams, testers found a difference of as much as 90 calories per serving. And for those consumers trying to lose weight, experts say always check the nutrition information before making a purchase.

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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