Tuesday, November 18, 2008

last updated: August 10, 2008 03:07:30 AM

Fat may be bad for you, but it sure tastes good. Consumer Reports sampled 10 light ice creams, and even among these more healthful options, the two with the most fat and calories were the winners.

Best in vanilla and chocolate flavors was Häagen-Dazs Extra Rich Light.

"Light" means a food contains one-third fewer calories or half the fat of a regular version.

A "low fat" serving has 3 grams or less of fat; a "lower fat" or "reduced fat" serving contains at least

25 percent less fat than a regular version; and a "fat free" serving has less than a half-gram of fat. A serving is a half cup.

Häagen-Dazs Extra Rich Light in vanilla bean and Dutch chocolate are a relative splurge. They were rated Very Good by CR and tasted better than the other brands tested, but had about twice the calories and fat

(200 calories for both flavors; 7 grams of fat for vanilla bean and 5 grams for Dutch chocolate). Still, a serving of Häagen-Dazs Extra Rich Light pares 70 calories and more than 10 grams of fat from regular Häagen-Dazs ice cream.

Consumers should expect to spend more for a better taste -- Häagen-

Dazs Extra Rich Light in vanilla bean and Dutch chocolate cost about twice as much per serving as the other brands tested -- about $1 per half-cup serving.

Next best in vanilla and chocolate was Breyers Double Churn Light Creamy. Both flavors did well in CR's taste tests and were lighter on the wallet (about 43 cents a serving) and on the diet (100 calories and about 3 grams of fat).

Among the other light ice creams CR rated Good were Breyers Free Double Churn Creamy in vanilla, Breyers Free Double Turn French in chocolate and Turkey Hill Light Recipe in vanilla bean.

A surprise ingredient in some ice creams: fiber. Breyers Free has 3 to

4 grams per serving, as does Blue Bunny. But don't toss the bran cereal. Breyers Free and Blue Bunny weren't especially tasty.

According to Consumer Reports, ice cream cartons are losing weight.

The traditional half-gallon carton, which previously shrank to

1.75 quarts, is down to 1.5 quarts for Breyers, Dreyer's/Edy's and Turkey Hill.

CR's take? When it's time to indulge, try one of the Häagen-Dazs Extra Rich Lights. Just limit the indulgence. To feel a bit more virtuous, try Breyers Double Churn Light Creamy.

STARBUCKS' NEW BREW: THE CLARK KENT OF COFFEE? -- Three of Consumer Reports' expert tasters and other staffers tried Starbucks' new daily brew -- Pike Place Roast -- at a dozen U.S. shops on the East and West coasts. Starbucks says the Pike Place is their "smoothest coffee ever" and is made from beans that are freshly ground and brewed every 30 minutes.

It's sold alongside the chain's traditional "morning pick." In the past, CR has called tested Starbucks coffees burnt and bitter.

CR reported that the brew is indeed smooth, with a medium roast, some bitterness, subtle floral notes and a hint of cocoalike aroma.

But Pike Place is not very complex. In fact, tasters said, the overall flavor is so mild that milk or sweeteners might overwhelm it.

CR's take: For coffee drinkers who like the familiar Starbucks roast, Pike Place might seem too mild-mannered. If not, try it.

On the Net:

www.consumerreports.org.

NEWSPAPER ENTERPRISE ASSN.

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