Tag: frozen yogurt

Since I was a kid, ice cream has been a staple to my summer experience. When someone mentions the word “summer,” I get flashbacks to a local ice cream place within walking distance to my home back in Cary. I think about the warm summer nights, not too hot and not too cool, spent with my family or friends, sitting outside and enjoying a cup of that sugary frozen delicacy topped with hot fudge, whipped cream and a cherry. I have nothing but good associations with this sweet treat, nothing but fond memories of freedom and happiness.

 

One thing that is not happy about my ice cream addiction, however, is my waistline.

 

As the summer months roll around again, I find myself craving ice cream but facing the fact that it’s basically frozen sugar and cream. Because I’m trying to get in shape and generally adopt a healthier lifestyle, it’s time to explore alternatives. One such alternative that seems to be all the rage in Wilmington is frozen yogurt, or “froyo.” But is frozen yogurt really better for you? Is it healthy at all? It definitely tastes like soft serve. There’s no way something healthy can also taste good, right? I mean, that’s too good to be true.

 

Actually…it turns out, it can.

 

Frozen yogurt’s nutrition starts at the beginning. Yogurt is a fermented food made by adding live bacterial cultures to milk.

 

“…there are bacteria in my frozen yogurt,” you say to yourself with horror.

 

Actually, this is the good kind of bacteria, like the kind you would find in cheese. The bacteria in yogurt promote fermentation, releasing lactic acid, which thickens the milk and gives yogurt its thick, smooth consistency. Turning regular yogurt into frozen yogurt is a lot like making ice cream. The difference, and this is what makes froyo healthy, is that instead of the cream, you use yogurt. This cuts out a significant amount of fat, and also has higher amounts of minerals and nutrients. An 8 oz, or 1 cup, serving of yogurt can provide almost half your daily calcium allowance!

 

Back to that bacteria. The bacteria in yogurt are actually one of the main sources of yogurt’s nutritional value. When eaten, bacteria reside in your intestines and help to fight and protect against cancer, including colon and breast cancers. Aside from your immune system, the bacteria also work as a probiotic, improving your digestive health.

 

The bottom line: Yes. Frozen yogurt is good for you. Definitely, significantly better than feeding your (my) ice cream addiction. But, like anything else, you should enjoy in moderation. With tons of fresh fruit toppings and amazing flavor combinations to choose from at SurfBerry, I’m sure I can find something that suits whatever mood I’m in, whether I want something healthy or a sweet indulgence that’s guilt free!

Many of us are wondering how in the world it’s February already! We’re a month into our New Year’s Resolutions and we may have slipped a time or two — or three. But February is American Heart Month, and it’s a good time to rededicate yourself to a healthy 2013.

 

Heart disease is a serious problem, causing nearly a quarter of all deaths in the United States. Fortunately, many underlying causes of heart problems are preventable or reversible, which brings us back to those resolutions. If you haven’t already, resolve to have a healthy heart. And to help, we’d like to share with you a couple ways you can build and protect that most important muscle.

 

Physical activity is a crucial aspect of maintaining a healthy heart and aerobic exercise is particularly important. “Aerobic” literally means “living in air”, so what better way to practice this exercise than in the fresh ocean breeze. Standup Paddle Boarding (SUP) is one of our favorite ways to get a low-intensity cardio workout while enjoying the serenity of the water and warm rays of sunshine. Among many other physical benefits, SUP can help to decrease blood pressure, strengthen the heart, reduce stress and reduce the risk of diabetes.

 

Keeping your heart in shape can also be as simple as eating delicious, healthy food!  Here at SurfBerry, we have tasty sweet smoothies and juices that provide multiple nutritional benefits. Many of our smoothies and juices can provide you with your required daily serving of fruits and vegetables. Some of our core ingredients include spinach and bananas, sources of Omega-3 fatty acids and potassium respectively. Not only do these offerings boost energy for that SUP workout, many fruits and vegetables are proven to help prevent cardiovascular disease through their richness in fiber and antioxidants.

 

A happy heart is a healthy heart. For us, the desire to be healthy is a desire rooted in our passion for being able to enjoy this beautiful place we live in. Stress is known to have negative health impacts including high blood pressure and a weakened immune system.  For the sake of your New Year’s resolutions, American Heart Month and living life to the fullest, we invite you to visit us SurfBerry so that we can share the joys of living a heart-healthy life with you! Together we can enjoy the increased energy, health, and greater satisfaction provided to us by an afternoon on the waterways of Wrightsville Beach.