Ice cream, vanilla
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
A classic frozen dessert made from cream, milk, and sugar, churned to a smooth, velvety texture. Its signature pale yellow hue and sweet, aromatic flavor come from vanilla bean or extract. A 100g serving provides a quick energy boost with 207 calories, primarily from carbohydrates and fat.
Calorie split: 7% protein · 46% carbs · 48% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People adore its creamy, melt-in-the-mouth texture and the comforting, nostalgic sweetness of vanilla. It's a universal canvas for toppings like hot fudge, sprinkles, or fresh fruit, making it a beloved treat across cultures.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high sugar content (21.22g per 100g) can cause blood sugar spikes, and the saturated fat may concern those monitoring heart health. To mitigate, enjoy a smaller portion (like a single scoop) and pair it with a source of protein or fiber, such as nuts or a piece of fruit, to slow sugar absorption.
Key benefits
- Provides a quick source of energy from carbohydrates and fats
- Contains calcium from its dairy base, important for bone health
- Can be a source of phosphorus and potassium
- Offers a comforting, mood-boosting sensory experience
- Versatile base for countless flavor combinations and toppings
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The air whipped into ice cream during churning, called 'overrun,' can account for 30-50% of its volume; premium brands often have less air for a denser, richer texture.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 61.0 g |
| Energy | 207 kcal |
| Protein | 3.5 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 11.0 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 23.6 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.70 g |
| Total Sugars | 21.2 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 128 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.09 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 14.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 105 mg |
| Potassium, K | 199 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 80.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.69 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.02 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 1.8 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.60 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.04 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.24 mg |
| Niacin | 0.12 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.05 mg |
| Folate, total | 5.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 5.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 5.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 26.0 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.39 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 118 ug |
| Retinol | 116 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 19.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.30 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.20 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.30 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 6.8 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.36 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.21 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.12 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.28 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.31 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 1.1 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 3.1 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 1.3 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 3.0 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.21 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 2.8 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.45 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.28 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.17 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 44.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Ice creams, vanilla, rich — USDA does not publish this profile for Ice cream.
| Tryptophan | 0.04 g |
| Threonine | 0.14 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.18 g |
| Leucine | 0.30 g |
| Lysine | 0.25 g |
| Methionine | 0.08 g |
| Cystine | 0.03 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.15 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.14 g |
| Valine | 0.20 g |
| Arginine | 0.14 g |
| Histidine | 0.08 g |
| Alanine | 0.14 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.65 g |
| Glycine | 0.15 g |
| Proline | 0.34 g |
| Serine | 0.17 g |
FAQ
Why does vanilla ice cream sometimes have tiny black specks?
Those are the seeds from a real vanilla bean. They indicate the use of natural vanilla and add a more complex, authentic flavor compared to pure vanilla extract alone.
Is vanilla ice cream gluten-free?
Traditional vanilla ice cream is typically gluten-free, as its main ingredients are dairy, sugar, and vanilla. However, always check labels for potential cross-contamination or additives like cookie pieces in specific flavors.
What's the difference between 'ice cream' and 'frozen dessert'?
In many regions, 'ice cream' must contain a minimum percentage of milk fat (e.g., 10% in the US). 'Frozen dessert' is a broader term that can include products made with vegetable fats or non-dairy bases.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 2.07 kcal/g · 7% calories from protein · 0.7 g fiber · 21.2 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.40 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.