Articles by Steve Young

In our February column we discussed the importance of digestive health as the basis of all good nutrition and the role ice cream products could play in terms of providing probiotic (consumption of “live and active beneficial” bacteria) and/or probiotic friendly (that is, prebiotic) mix ingredients. We reviewed delivery of probiotics via active culturing and/or cold inoculation.

Virtually all frozen desserts have a need for stabilization. Stabilizers extend the shelf life of products subjected to heat shock during distribution, sale and home storage. This functionality is related to the limitation of water mobility, which, unchecked, can negatively affect the growth of ice and other crystals in the product.

Digestive health is the basis of all good nutrition. Many foods promote digestive health through the consumption of live and active bacteria (that is, “pro-biotics”) in conjunction with pro-biotic-friendly (meaning “pre-biotic”) ingredients. This allows for secondary beneficial effects related to blood sugar control, reduced serum lipids, increases in intestinal microflora and other healthful benefits.

What considerations are necessary when formulating “better-for-you” frozen desserts? In many respects, the answers are much the same as for formulating standard ice creams verses general dietary guidelines. These include