Baskin-Robbins offers 'healthy' ice cream

NEW YORK - Ice cream chain Baskin-Robbins said Monday it is launching a new line of better-for-you ice cream treats just in time to help New Year's dieters trim their waistlines.

The line, called BRight Choices, will include light and reduced fat, no sugar added ice cream as well as dairy-free sorbet and fat-free frozen yogurt. It will be sold in stores beginning today.

The chain said its new Premium Churned Light Ice Cream has 50 percent less fat and 20 percent fewer calories than its regular ice cream. The new Premium Churned Reduced Fat No Sugar Added ice cream, meanwhile, has 25 percent less fat than regular Baskin-Robbins ice cream.

According to nutritional information on the company's Web site, a regular 4-ounce scoop of vanilla ice cream has 260 calories and 16 grams of fat.

All the BRight Choices offerings will be indicated with a pink star decal, Baskin-Robbins added.

The chain will offer a free scoop of any BRight Choices flavor on Jan. 15 to any consumer who can show proof of a gym membership.

Canton, Mass.-based Baskin-Robbins is owned by Dunkin' Brands Inc. The parent company also operates the Dunkin' Donuts chain.