Who is going to turn down their favorite ice cream during the summer season? Be honest, it’s okay! July is National Ice Cream Month, a perfect time to bask in one of America's favorite desserts. Ice cream is often thought of as an indulgence. Many people are surprised to know that enjoying it as part of an overall balanced eating pattern fits into a healthy lifestyle.

As a men’s health educator and a male, I am familiar with extreme mindsets in men that become extreme actions. One of those mindsets is that to be healthy, fit, or optimize hormone levels, you must exclude certain foods entirely from your diet. The truth is that health is not destroyed by one action alone. Your healthy lifestyle can continue even if you enjoy ice cream occasionally. Making room for indulgent foods can help create a more positive experience with food and a better relationship internally with the man in the mirror. It’s even better when indulgent foods like ice cream pack a nutrient profile that can support your health in many ways!

I cannot say that real dairy ice cream is the healthiest food that exists. But I can confidently say that it offers more than just great taste. Because it's made with dairy, it provides nutrients like calcium, phosphorus, vitamin B12, riboflavin, and zinc that support bone health, muscle function, and overall wellness. In addition to these vitamins/minerals, ice cream made with real dairy milk features high-quality protein for muscle recovery and strength, carbohydrates that supply on-demand energy, and dietary fats that provide an extended boost of energy and cell support when the body needs it most. The same benefits apply to lactose-free milk. For those who have lactose intolerance or may be sensitive to lactose, you can enjoy the hype, too!

This summer, I enjoyed my favorite childhood basketball team win the NBA championship after a 53-year championship drought. It brought me immense joy to feel that victory. It reminded me of the joy that I get when I allow myself to indulge in some occasional ice cream. A simple strategy I recommend is to build on your favorite foods instead of replacing them. Pairing a scoop of dairy ice cream with fruit, nuts, or seeds adds texture, color, and nutrients while keeping the experience fun and satisfying.

This National Ice Cream Month, share a scoop with someone you love and know this: healthy eating is sweetest when balance is an option on the menu. Check out my Victory Swirl Ice Cream Bowl and see if it’s worth the hype!

Greg Lafortune, MS, RDN, LD is a health educator and nutrition professional with 10+ years of nutrition and health education experience. He is a Certified Men's Health Educator, which gave birth to his mission to bridge the gap between men and the healthcare system. In his private practice, Optimal Plan Nutrition, LLC. He provides dynamic nutrition counseling, public speaking, consulting, menu development, and more that impact individuals and groups. He is also a freelance writer and musician who plays 4 different instruments. His family and Christian faith drive everything he does.

For many dads, back-to-school comes with early mornings, packed lunches, after-school pickup, homework, and practices. The daily race to get everyone out the door on time, mixed with juggling life demands, makes healthy eating challenging. Despite this, the busy back-to-school season also brings an opportunity to play an active role in building healthy habits at home.