The Fight Against Ice Cream

In yesterday’s Food Section of The New York Times there was a great debate about the ice cream man. it’s hard to believe that this symbol of America and summer could be knocked around, yet there are parents out there who hate the very sight of him or sometimes? Why? There’s a whole menu of reasons.

The article, written by Helen Stapinksi deals with parents who do no like the Good Humor man or or any other ice cream vendor. Sometimes the reasons are legitimate, The truck rolls around at dinner time leaving kids screaming and desirous for a treat. Sometimes it’s the drivers themselves who don’t represent wholesomeness. Some are dirty , some even vend drugs as opposed to pops. Some parents don’t like the amalgamation of chemicals binding the ice cream. My opinion is let them have the ice cream but 1)make sure the truck and vendor are clean and two 0 save the stuff for dessert.

Of course parents could also make their own ice cream. Nowadays it’s easy to make ice cream and freeze it into molds. You can then have the kids dip them in chocolate or sprinkles along with cookie crumbs You can also make healthy ices and frozen smoothies , using real ingredients like fresh, soy or rice milk along with yogurt. This will teach kids that the home made kind can be both fun and good for them.

What do you foodies think? Would you let your kids go wild when the local ice cream truck pulls up? Or do you restrict them and offer them something homemade and better?