Häagen-Dazs New Ice Cream: Less Is More?

I’m often asked what is my favorite food, and I’ve got to tell you that’s a tough one to answer.  There are many foods that I like and enjoy, some of them “guilty” and some of them not.

But one of my favorites is ice cream.  

Low-Fat, No Fat, or Full-Fat?

Years ago I was one of those who stayed away from the real stuff, and instead opted for the light, low-cal versions in hopes of saving my waistline.  Then I visited Italy and tasted gelato for the first time.  When the clerk handed me the dish, I turned to my friend and said “is that all they give you?”  I couldn’t believe how small it was.  I felt cheated.  I mean, were they kidding?

No they weren’t.  One bite into the stuff and I was in heaven!  I mean this was gold.  I couldn’t believe ice cream (well, gelato) could be this good.

And you know what?  That small serving was all I needed.  I was satisfied and couldn’t imagine eating more.

But when I came back home, the ice cream I bought in the supermarket just didn’t do it for me.  Before I knew it I’d eat half the gallon and still not be truly satisfied. Either that, or I’d be in a sugar coma and have a stomach ache from all the sweetness.

So I’d look at the carton to read the ingredients and see all kinds of fillers, stabilizers, emulsifiers, fat replacers or other modifiers.  What was going on?  Isn’t ice cream supposed to be made from milk, cream, sugar, eggs and a flavoring (like real chocolate)?

Trying It At Home

A couple of years ago I bought an ice-cream maker and it changed my life (for the better, I might add).  There’s nothing like real ice cream without all of that added stuff.  A little goes a long way and I no longer turn to those lower-fat versions.  My wallet, my mind, and my waistline have been saved.

My Waistline?

You read that right: even my waistline was saved.  Because I no longer eat half a gallon looking for that pleasure and real, honest-to-goodness taste.  I eat a small serving and I’m done.  

Though I do make my own ice cream, I am human and have a busy life.  Making it at home with my ice cream maker is fairly quick and surprisingly easy, but I do often pick up a gallon at the supermarket.  But now I only choose ice cream that has a few ingredients, like five.  As close to the real thing as I can get, without forking over a fortune.  And my taste buds just don’t like all that added stuff.

Keeping It Real

You can imagine my delight when I recently saw that Häagen-Daz® now has a new line called Häagen-Dazs five™ , that contain no more than five ingredients:  milk, cream, sugar and eggs, plus one of seven flavors (mint, ginger, coffee, vanilla bean, passion fruit, brown sugar, and milk chocolate).  They also have less fat.  And yes, the serving size is the same as their regular versions.  Which just goes to show that keeping it real does not necessarily equal more fat or calories.

But isn’t this what ice cream is supposed to be?  Five ingredients plus a flavor (or two)?

For a suggested retail price of $4.39 per carton, I might just stick to my ice cream maker or my other favorite brand.  (*Note, since late January of this year, all Häagen-Dazs® branded 16 fl. oz. cartons have downsized to 14 fl. oz., and in March 2009, all 32 fl. oz. cartons will change to 28 fl. oz…..so you’re getting less for your dollar.  They explain why on their website).

Whether they’re making this “real” ice cream for our benefit or their benefit, I’ll leave up to you.  But I’d like to hear from anyone who has tried it and what they think.

For me at least, “keeping it real” is the way ice cream should be.