These Low-Calorie Ice Cream Brands Legit Taste Amazing (We Tried Them All!)
These Low-Calorie Ice Cream Brands Legit Taste Amazing (We Tried Them All!)
When summer comes around, nothing can stop me from entering the frozen dessert aisle and heading straight for whatever I'm craving. Ice cream sandwiches? Coffee ice cream? Mint chocolate chip frozen yogurt? Yes, yes, and yes! But after scooping spoonfuls into a bowl (and sometimes straight into my mouth), I'm left wondering: Why do I feel so icky? If you can relate, look no further than the nutrition label. I realized the brands I grew up with—and tend to choose as an adult—don't accommodate a healthy lifestyle by any dietitian's standards. Loaded with high amounts of sugar, fat, and calories, these traditional ice creams make it almost impossible to keep up with the recommended 2,000-calorie-a-day diet, says Mia Syn, M.S., R.D.N. It's a big reason why healthy ice creams have increased in popularity. However, while some treats like ice cream and frozen yogurt are marketed as "healthy," "low-calorie," or "light," we've found that some crowned with the health halo are far from it.
"You have to look closely at the label because if it says 'low-fat,' it might be loaded with extra sugar, and if it's low-calorie, it might contain artificial sweeteners that can irritate your stomach and have you running to the bathroom," explains Bonnie Taub-Dix, R.D.N., creator of BetterThanDieting.com, and author of Read It Before You Eat It.
So, can ice cream be healthy?
Yes, there are plenty of healthy ice cream choices out there (including Halo Top!), but choosing the best cone, cup, or pop goes back to reading the ingredient list and nutrition labels carefully. Keep in mind that finding a healthier ice cream is not fully dependent on the calorie count says Lisa Moskovitz, R.D., and CEO of NY Nutrition Group. "The quality of calories are much more important than the total amount of calories consumed," she says. "Pay attention to nutrient density, sodium, sugar or other certain artificial ingredients."
Before heading to the supermarket, I had two clear goals in mind: A) Don't be tricked by low-calorie labels and B) Don't be afraid of the taste. I really like the idea of eating healthy ice cream, but I don't necessarily want it to taste healthy. If that's the case, is it really a treat?
Our dietitian experts tell Prevention.com to look for ice creams that are between 150 to 200 calories per serving, have less than 12 grams of sugar, and 10 grams of total fat. And you know what? There were several brands at my local supermarket with multiple flavors that landed within these guidelines. I gladly put them into the cart before "airplaning" a spoonful into my mouth. For three days, I tried different ice creams, frozen yogurt, and discovered that healthy options can actually be super fulfilling without needing to go for seconds. "Often times, having a serving of a lower sugar, fat, and calorie option can be equally as satisfying as the full fat and sugar counterpart, if you choose the right brand made with the right ingredients!" says Elizabeth Shaw, M.S. R.D.N. C.P.T., nutrition expert and author of The Instant Pot Cookbook For Dummies & The Air Fryer Cookbook For Dummies.
Now you've heard all about my shopping experiences. Let's get to yours! Below, find our curated list of the best healthy ice creams to buy this summer:
1) Yasso Mint Chocolate Chip Greek Yogurt Bars
Yasso
$5.49
These frozen Greek yogurt pops pack a hidden punch of protein, while providing all the health benefits of probiotics from the cultured yogurt. While I love mint chocolate chip, I didn't let my preference cloud my judgement. A family member who isn't a big fan of mint chocolate chip tried this and gave this a 10/10 for taste! These bars pack irresistible flavor with bits of chocolate chip mint in every bite, and the creaminess is absolute heaven. Plus, this bar-style helps with practicing portion control.
Nutrition info per bar: 100 calories, 2 g fat (1.5 g saturated fat), 40 mg sodium, 16 g carbs (0 g fiber, 13 g sugar), 5 g protein
2) Halo Top Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream
Halo Top Creamery
$4.99
Halo Top has become a best-seller for weight-conscious snackers in the last few years. But even though the container flaunts the number of calories in the entire pint, you stick to a half-cup portion of this low-cal treat, says Taub-Dix. With a flavor like this, you'd expect a lot of toppings going on, and I love that the brand didn't skimp. Tiny bits of chocolate chips could be tasted in every spoonful, which means there was no fishing for the "best parts." I got a bit impatient waiting for this to thaw, so when I scooped, I essentially got chunks. Although the creamy ice cream melted on my tongue, it tasted more like a "healthy" ice cream than my above pick.
Nutrition info per serving: 90 calories, 3 g fat (1.5 g saturated fat), 110 mg sodium, 17 g carbs (3 g fiber, 7 g sugar, 5 g sugar alcohol), 5 g protein
3) 365 Everyday Value Organic Ice Cream Sandwiches
365 by Whole Foods Market
When you choose organic, you omit processed ingredients and artificial flavors, so you know you're getting the real deal. These ice cream sandwiches from Whole Foods's household brand is the perfect combo of chocolate and vanilla. The wafers are super easy to bite into and the filling is a dream. And because they're packaged individually, it's an easy treat to serve at cookouts and parties.
Nutrition info per sandwich: 160 calories, 8 g fat (4.5 g saturated fat), 110 mg sodium, 20 g carbs (
4) Solero Coconut Ice Cream Bars
Solero
instacart.com
$4.41
Refreshing to the last bite, these cream bars from Solero may look like fruity popsicles, but you can think of them as its milky cousin.
This stars a fusion of pureed coconuts, skim milk, cream, vanilla, and sugar. Eating this felt extremely luxurious thanks to its creamy texture that stems from the milk and the coconut flavor shined through with every lick. I especially liked the shredded coconut in this too! Overall, this is extremely light and tastes fresh. If you wanted a vacation (or maybe a pi?a colada), look no further.
Nutrition info per bar: 100 calories, 5 g fat (3.5 g saturated fat), 35 mg sodium, 11 g carbs (0 g fiber, 11 g sugar), 2 g protein
5) Goodpop Organic Freezer Pops
Goodpop
amazon.com
These pops made from 100% fruit juice (with no added sugar!) are a satisfying, completely guilt-free sweet treat—plus, they're great for people looking for a dairy-free option.
Nutrition info per concord grape pop: 45 calories, 0 g fat (0 g saturated fat), 10 mg sodium, 11 g carbs (0 g fiber, 9 g sugar), 0 g protein
6) So Delicious Coconutmilk Non-Dairy Dessert Bars
SO DELICIOUS
These dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan pops leave out the ingredients you don't want, but have all the yummy ones you do. Encased in a chocolate shell, these feature almond clusters and that delicious coconut flavor which of course stems from the tropical coconut. At 190 calories, keep in mind that they're higher than most on our list. So if you're going to indulge, do it wisely.
Nutrition info per pop: 190 calories, 14 g fat (10 g saturated fat), 0 mg sodium, 15 g carbs (2 g fiber, 11 g sugar), 1 g protein
7) Beckon Lactose-Free Vanilla Ice Cream
$5.99
Beckon's ice cream is best for people who love the richness of cow's milk ice cream but can't tolerate the lactose. Their secret? They use rBST-free milk, which is a hormone that farmers inject into their cows to boost milk production. This insanely delicious pint of vanilla features double-fold Madagascar bourbon vanilla extract, so you're not only getting great flavor but also quality ingredients.
Nutrition info per serving: 220 calories, 16 g fat (10 g saturated fat), 110 mg sodium, 18 g carbs (0 g fiber, 18 g sugar, 15 g added sugar), 4 g protein
8) Enlightened Snickerdoodle Ice Cream
Enlightened
instacart.com
$5.79
If the only kind of cookie flavor you tend to mix in is Oreo, this Enlightened ice cream will make you change your mind with just one spoonful. The ultra creamy (seriously, so creamy) skim milk ice cream has an abundance of flavor with cinnamon spice blended throughout, but it wasn't overpowering like other options. It also nailed the taste of a snickerdoodle. Plus, this has a total of 6 grams of protein! I don't usually go for flavors like this, but I will definitely buy this again.
Nutrition info per serving: 70 calories, 1.5 g fat (1.5 g saturated fat), 75 mg sodium, 15 g carbs (4 g fiber, 4 g sugar), 6 g protein
9) Chilly Cow Mocha Espresso Swirl Ice Cream
Chilly Cow
$5.79
Chilly Cow's light ice cream tastes anything but wholesome goodness with a punch of espresso that coffee lovers will adore. This is made with ultra-filtered nonfat milk which has proved to create a wonderful, thick texture while also delivering a whopping 12 grams of protein per cup. Um, woah. While there weren't bits of coffee beans in this, the coffee swirls totally made up for it with a bit of extra caffeinated flavor. This ended up being one of my favorites. And with its half-pint serving size, it was easy to control how much I enjoyed.
Nutrition info per serving: 160 calories, 3 g fat (2 g saturated fat), 200 mg sodium, 35 g carbs (10 g fiber, 12 g sugar), 12 g protein
10) Breyers Butter Pecan Ice Cream
Breyers
$5.79
A combination of 100% grade A skim milk and fresh cream lends a hand in this super luxurious ice cream that's filled with a delicious nuttiness only crushed pecans can provide. It's interesting how this very flavorful pecan ice cream tastes pretty darn close to a full-fat option without all that extra sugar and calories. And with one serving of this orange-hued choice, you're gaining 7 grams of protein.
Nutrition info per serving: 110 calories, 4.5 g fat (1.5 g saturated fat), 110 mg sodium, 21 g carbs (0 g fiber, 7 g sugar), 7 g protein
11) Fairlife Vanilla Light Ice Cream
fairlife
$4.59
The silky texture and flavor of Fairlife's milk is so good, it practically serves as a treat in my home (especially that chocolate flavor). The brand recently answered the call from ice cream lovers, launching a line of light ice creams this summer, and I'm here for it. As one of Shaw's recommendations, this high-protein, low calorie pint enlists nonfat ultra-filtered milk and cream plus yummy flecks of grounded up vanilla bean. It makes a plain vanilla taste otherworldly.
Nutrition info per serving: 140 calories, 6 g fat (3.5 g saturated fat), 125 mg sodium, 19 g carbs (3 g fiber, 12 g sugar), 9 g protein
12) My/Mo Strawberry Mochi Ice Cream
My/Mo
walmart.com
This traditional Japanese dessert is portion-control heaven. Each bite consists of a little scoop of creamy flavor-filled ice cream that's wrapped in a soft, chewy, slightly sweet dough, which made it easy to limit myself from eating all of these at once. One or two is just perfect per serving. For something a bit more exotic, try My/Mo's green tea flavor ice cream (it's one of my favorites)! While these are small, they are totally satisfying, considering that there's a good amount of ice cream stuffed into each piece. My one advice? Have lots of napkins ready!
Nutrition info per piece: 110 calories, 2.5 g fat (1.5 g saturated fat), 15 mg sodium, 18 g carbs (0 g fiber, 11 g sugar), 1 g protein
13) Breyers Natural Vanilla Snack Cups
Breyers
amazon.com
5.99
Getting ice cream snack cups are one of the best ways to help integrate portion control while satisfying your sweet treat craving Shaw explains. These Breyers vanilla snack cups give you the taste of the original natural vanilla ice cream you love with its rich creaminess and classic flavoring that just melts in your mouth. The only difference? The convenience of a to-go cup at 100 calories a pop.
Nutrition info per cup: 100 calories, 5 g fat (3.5 g saturated fat), 30 mg sodium, 11 g carbs (0 g fiber, 10 g sugar), 2 g protein
14) Outshine Strawberry Simply Yogurt Bars
Outshine
$4.79
Packed with calcium and protein, this refreshing yogurt bar will fill you up and satisfy your sweet tooth in just one serving. With pieces of strawberries mixed in and a base of probiotic-rich yogurt, you can feel good about eating this and serving these to your kids. But there's no shame in hiding a box for yourself!
Nutrition info per pop: 90 calories, 2 g fat (1 g saturated fat), 35 mg sodium, 13 g carbs (0 g fiber, 12 g sugar), 5 g protein
15) NadaMoo! Birthday Cake Cookie Dough Ice Cream
NADAMOO
$5.99
NadaMoo's dairy-free ice cream has all the flavors you crave in a slice of cake for 130 calories and is extremely easy to scoop out right out of the freezer so your thaw-time is practically nothing. With a heavenly smell right out of the container, indulging in this creamy mixture was easy. It's made with yummy organic coconut milk, agave nectar, and small bits of chocolate chip cookie dough.
Nutrition info per serving: 130 calories, 7 g fat (6 g saturated fat), 45 mg sodium, 20 g carbs (5 g fiber, 9 g sugar), 0 g protein
16) Skinny Cow Salt-Kissed Caramel Greek Frozen Yogurt Bar
Skinny Cow
Salted caramel is a one of our favorite decadent flavors, and these Greek frozen-yogurt bars satisfy that craving in just 100 calories. Skinny Cow's ice cream bars use skim milk, instead of whole, to cut back on the saturated fat, but you seriously won't be thinking about that once you try those caramel swirls! Equal parts salty and sweet, this makes a filling, yummy treat.
Nutrition info per pop: 100 calories, 2 g fat (1.5 g saturated fat), 65 mg sodium, 16 g carbs (0 g fiber, 13 g sugar), 5 g protein
17) Chilly Cow Chocolate Brownie Batter Light Ice Cream Bars
Chilly Cow
Remember those impossibly messy fudge pops you loved when you were a kid? This brownie-batter swirl pop is the grown-up version, with an extra punch of protein and less fat. But you'll still probably need lots of napkins.
Nutrition info per pop: 110 calories, 4 g fat (2 g saturated fat), 45 mg sodium, 19 g carbs (6 g fiber, 8 g sugar, 5 g sugar alcohol), 6 g protein
Here's what our editors are snacking on to stay cool this summer.