At the gym, on a walk, or during a salad lunch with your friends- wherever you go, there’s a lot of talk about functional foods. The buzz is real- but what are functional foods? 

What are Functional Foods?

Functional foods are more than an easy come, easy go trend, they actually have a long history. However, if we want to define them, we can go by the Mayo Clinic’s definition- that these are foods that offer a potentially positive impact on your health beyond basic nutrition. Experts on functional foods suggest that they promote better health, and may also help reduce the risk of disease. 

While all foods are functional in some way or the other-  since they all have varying degrees of micro and macronutrient nutritional value- some foods are functional because they are believed to promote wellness. An easy example would be oatmeal- the humble breakfast food that contains soluble fibre which may help lower cholesterol levels. 

Interestingly, some foods are modified to be functional, and to have additional health benefits. Orange juice fortified with calcium for bone health is a good example. Milk fortified with vitamins or protein is another. 

Dairy as a Functional Food

For decades, dairy has been considered at the forefront of the functional foods world. Not only is milk an essential component in the diet of millions of people, but dairy products such as yogurt also contain elements that promote good health when consumed. 

Milk is also commonly fortified with Vitamin A or D, or even other nutrients like zinc and iron, making it a functional food that helps people get nutritional benefits that they might otherwise lack in their diet. More and more brands are also fortifying their dairy products- Speaking of which, ice cream is definitely our favourite!  But can ice cream be a source of good health? 

Read on. 

Ice Cream: A New Functional Food

A comfort food, an indulgence, or a dessert- ice cream means different things to different people. While ice cream has always been considered a ‘feel-good’ food, more and more consumers around the world are now seeking out ice creams that are not just delicious, but offer certain health benefits as well- whether it is lower calorie content, the absence of added sugar, or the addition of protein. 

The idea of adding an ingredient that might potentially change the taste, texture, or the experience of eating ice cream is a tricky one. Indulgence is a very important part of eating ice cream, and we cannot, any cost, compromise on that factor! 

The Brooklyn Creamery’s  High Protein ice cream range, for example, contains 11g of high quality whey protein, no added sugar and just 175-215 calories per serving. 

As more and more health-conscious consumers around the world actively seek out ice creams that double as functional foods, help them fulfill their fitness goals, and don’t compromise on the indulgence factor, our High Protein ice creams help them maximize their protein intake in the most delicious way possible- in three exciting flavors, no less! 

Functional foods are here to stay, and we’re sure you’re happy to hear that your favourite sweet treats are becoming a part of them, too!

Have you tried ice cream as a functional food yet? If not, try our High Protein range of ice creams here: <hyperlink to HP page> We guarantee you’ll want to #FlexYourSweetTooth everyday!