Are Ice Cream Cones Bad For You?
Short answer
While it most likely won't hurt having one ice cream cone once in a while, there aren't any nutritional benefits. Regular consumption, though, can lead a host of health risks.
Recommended Alternative
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Ice cream cones are mostly a blend of sugar, wheat flour, and tapioca flour. Other than having 1% of the amount of iron recommended daily, there is no nutritional benefit to having an ice cream cone. A typical cone will net you around 10g of sugar (this is almost 50% of the recommended daily intake). To say the very least, consuming high amounts of sugar can lead to weight gain, diabetes, and an increased production of ghrelin - a hormone that tells our body we are still hungry - so you may be wanting a second serving.
Wheat and tapioca are causes for concern as well. Wheat contains gluten, which studies have linked with an autoimmune disease called gluten ataxia, a disease that affects the cerebellum. Furthermore, like added sugars, wheat also causes a sharp spike in blood sugar levels, making it a possible contributor to diabetes.
Tapioca naturally produces cyanide. While the manufacturing process most likely gets rid of the cyanide, there is still a risk, no matter how small, that eating tapioca or anything with tapioca in it could introduce cyanide into the body.
The calories in one ice cream cone vary, but are negligible. Also, ice cream cones do not have cholesterol. Still, due to the relatively high sugar content, ice cream cones do pose a danger of increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, cancer, stroke, and other problems associated with intake of added sugars. Ice cream cones can be enjoyed ever once in a while without worry, but real problems can quickly arise when you are consuming multiple per day.
Possible short-term side effects
- blood sugar spike
-
induces overeating
Possible long-term side effects
- diabetes
-
heart disease
-
cancer
Ingredients to be aware of
Healthier alternatives
Our Wellness Pick
(what is this?)
Organic Ice Cream Cones
- USDA Organic Certified
- Convenient 12-pack
- Non-GMO ingredients
- Vegan-friendly
- Zero trans fats
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Written by Jeff Volling
Published on: 01-03-2016
Last updated: 12-15-2023
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Jeff Volling
Published on: 01-03-2016
Last updated: 12-15-2023
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