Consumer Center - Sales of ice cream are expected to top $4 billion this year. That's a lot of scoops. But what if you want to cut back on calories?

Consumer Reports just pitted several full-fat ice creams against their lighter versions to see how they compare. Consumer Reports taste-tested three favorite flavors; the light versions as well as the full fat. Included were Ben & Jerry's Phish Food, Breyers Butter Pecan, and Edy's Mint Chocolate Chip.

Consumer Reports also evaluated Häagen-Dazs coffee ice cream and Häagen-Dazs Five, its new, reduced-fat counterpart.

Technically, the Häagen-Dazs Five isn't a light ice cream because in order to qualify for that label, it has to have a third fewer calories or half the fat of the full-fat version. But it does have a third less fat than the regular Häagen-Dazs.

As for the taste, testers were impressed. Häagen-Dazs Five is even denser and creamier than the regular version. And the three light ice creams impressed testers as well. They weren't exactly the same as the regular versions, but the testers said all three were quite tasty and flavorful.

If you're trying to count calories, Consumer Reports says your two best light bets are Breyers and Edy's. Edy's Slow Churned Mint Chocolate Chip was minty with lots of delicious chocolate chips. While it was a little gummy overall, it was still very good.

The Breyers Light ice cream was even better. Testers said the Breyers Smooth and Dreamy Butter Pecan is sweeter and tastes more buttery than the regular version.

Sweeter yet, both of those ice creams cost less than half as much as the Häagen-Dazs and Ben & Jerry's.

Consumer Reports says the claim "light" can be a little confusing. Among the light ice creams, testers found a difference of as much as 90 calories per serving. So if you're trying to lose weight, always check the nutrition information before you buy.

(Consumer Reports has no commercial relationship with any advertiser or sponsor appearing on abc27.com.)

(Copyright © 2005-2009 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.)

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