Ice cream, a beloved treat, is often laden with calories, fat, and sugar. While enjoying it in moderation is perfectly acceptable, numerous healthier alternatives can help you satisfy your sweet cravings without derailing your weight loss goals.
Understanding the Nutritional Landscape of Ice Cream
Traditional ice cream, while delicious, can be a significant source of empty calories, primarily from fats and added sugars. A half-cup serving of regular ice cream can pack a substantial amount of calories and unhealthy fats.
Healthier Store-Bought Ice Cream Options
Fortunately, the market offers a variety of "healthier" ice cream options tailored to different dietary needs. Here are some popular brands and their key features:
Best Overall: Halo Top
Halo Top stands out for its low calorie count, relatively simple ingredient list, and wide array of classic ice cream flavors. It boasts a substantial amount of protein and is sweetened with sugar and erythritol, a naturally sourced sugar alcohol.
Key Features:
- Low calorie
- Good source of protein
- Sweetened with erythritol and sugar
- Variety of flavors
Example Flavors: Vanilla Bean, Chocolate, Birthday Cake
Read also: Quick Keto Sour Cream Dip
Best Gelato: Talenti Organic Gelato
Gelato, ice cream's lower-fat cousin, is typically made with milk instead of cream, resulting in a creamy but less rich dessert. Talenti Organic Gelato uses 100% organic ingredients and avoids highly processed additives.
Key Features:
- Made with organic ingredients
- Lower in fat than traditional ice cream
Example Flavors: Oak-Aged Vanilla, Brown Butter Caramel, Chocolate Mousse
Best Organic: 365 Everyday Value Organic Ice Cream
Sold at Whole Foods and on Amazon, 365 Everyday Value offers numerous organic options. While not lower in sugar, fat, or calories than traditional ice cream, their ice creams are made with high-quality, 100% organic ingredients.
Key Features:
- Made with 100% organic ingredients
Example Flavors: Chocolate, Vanilla, Mint Chip
Best Vegan: NadaMoo!
NadaMoo! is a popular line of dairy-free and vegan frozen desserts made with a coconut milk base. Many flavors are organic, and the coconut taste is subtle, allowing other flavors to shine.
Read also: Sweet and Savory Keto Cream Cheese
Key Features:
- Dairy-free and vegan
- Coconut milk base
- Many organic flavors
Example Flavors: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Peach Cobbler, Strawberry Cheesecake
Best Plant-Based: Cado
Cado frozen dessert is a unique option made with avocado, adding a creamy fat source often lacking in vegan ice creams. The brand's products are made with organic ingredients and are dairy-free, vegan, and soy-free.
Key Features:
- Made with avocado
- Dairy-free, vegan, and soy-free
- Organic ingredients
Example Flavors: Choco Peanut Butter, Chocolate Mud Pie, Deep Dark Chocolate
Best Dairy-Free: Ben & Jerry’s Non-Dairy
Ben & Jerry's offers a line of vegan and dairy-free frozen desserts made with sunflower butter or almond milk. However, these rich flavors are exceptionally high in sugar and calories compared with other ice creams.
Key Features:
- Dairy-free and vegan
- Unique flavors
Example Flavors: Boom Chocolatta, Bananas Foster, Mint Chocolate Chance
Read also: Ultimate Guide: Heavy Cream & Keto
Best Lactose-Free Keto: Rebel Keto Ice Cream
Rebel ice cream is extra creamy because it's made with real cream instead of milk and sweetened with monk fruit and erythritol to keep the carb count low.
Key Features:
- Lactose-free
- Keto-friendly
- Sweetened with monk fruit and erythritol
Example Flavors: Raspberry Sorbet, Lemon Sorbet, Mango Sorbet
Best Keto: Halo Top Keto Series
Halo Top offers a line of keto-friendly ice creams made with a base of skim milk and cream and sweetened with erythritol and stevia.
Key Features:
- Keto-friendly
- Sweetened with erythritol and stevia
Example Flavors: Mint Chocolate Cookies, Turtle Cheesecake, Banana Cream Pie
Best Ice Pops: reBlend Frozen Smoothie Shots
These single-serving, sorbet-like smoothie shots are made with high-quality whole-food ingredients packed with nutrients and antioxidants and are free of added sugars.
Key Features:
- Single-serving
- Made with whole-food ingredients
- No added sugars
Example Flavors: Very Berry Glow, Tropical Bliss Recover, Super Greens Detox
Best Frozen Yogurt: Yasso Greek Yogurt Bars
Yasso bars are made from frozen Greek yogurt, which is higher in protein and lower in fat than traditional ice cream.
Key Features:
- Made with Greek yogurt
- Higher in protein
- Lower in fat
Example Flavors: Birthday Cake, Black Raspberry Chip, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Best Low Calorie: Enlightened
Enlightened makes low-calorie, high-protein, low-fat, and low-sugar ice cream with a skim milk base. These products are free of artificial sweeteners and flavored with real ingredients and natural flavors.
Key Features:
- Low calorie
- High protein
- Low fat
- Low sugar
Example Flavors: Vanilla Bean, Chocolate, Brownies & Cookie Dough
Best Sugar-Free: Breyers No Sugar Added
Breyers offers a line of frozen desserts with no sugar added, sweetened with the sugar alcohol maltitol and Splenda.
Key Features:
- No sugar added
- Sweetened with maltitol and Splenda
Example Flavors: Vanilla, Vanilla-Chocolate-Strawberry, Caramel Swirl
Best Low Fat: Edy’s Slow Churned No Sugar Added
Edy’s Slow Churned ice cream has a lower fat content and fewer calories than traditional ice creams and offers a no-sugar-added line.
Key Features:
- Low fat
- Fewer calories than traditional ice cream
- No sugar added option
Example Flavors: Butter Pecan, Fudge Tracks, Neapolitan
Making Healthier Choices: A Guide
Choosing a healthier ice cream depends on your dietary needs. Options are available if you're following a vegan, gluten-free, low-sugar, or keto diet.
Key Considerations When Choosing Ice Cream
- Calorie Content: Prioritize lower-calorie options to manage weight effectively.
- Sugar Content: Opt for ice creams with less added sugar.
- Fat Content: Look for lower saturated fat content.
- Ingredients: Choose products with recognizable, natural ingredients.
- Protein Content: Consider options with higher protein content for added satiety.
Understanding Sugar Alcohols
Many low-carb and sugar-free ice creams use sugar alcohols like erythritol, mannitol, sorbitol, and xylitol. These sweeteners can cause digestive issues in some people, so moderation is key.
Homemade Ice Cream Alternatives
Creating your own frozen treats at home allows you to control ingredients and customize flavors to your liking.
Fruit-Based Options
- Frozen Bananas: Blend frozen bananas for a creamy, naturally sweet "nice cream."
- Fruit Puree: Create your own fruit-based ice cream with bananas and strawberries. Blend your ripe fruit until smooth to create a naturally sweet dessert. You can also use frozen fruit to mimic the coldness of ice cream.
- Sorbet: Blend your choice of fruit and freeze to create this smooth, light treat.
Dairy-Free Options
- Coconut Milk Ice Cream: Blend coconut milk and your choice of sweetener, then freeze to create a rich, indulgent frozen dessert that is gluten-free, soy-free, and dairy-free.
- Almond Milk Ice Cream: Blend your almond milk with sweetener and flavorings to create a creamy frozen dessert.
- Avocado Ice Cream: Blend avocados with cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and dairy-free milk.
Other Alternatives
- Frozen Yogurt: Use yogurt as a base, often sweetened with sugar, fruit, or other additives.
- Greek Yogurt: Eat your Greek yogurt by itself or freeze it to create a chilled dessert.
- Popsicles: Make popsicles with your favorite fruit juice, yogurt, or coconut water.
- Smoothies: Customize your smoothie with nut butter, leafy greens, protein powder, or fresh fruit.
- Whipped Topping: Enjoy whipped topping by itself as an alternative.
Homemade Recipes to Try
- Sugar-Free Greek Yogurt Ice Cream: Sweetened with natural alternatives like stevia or erythritol.
- Keto Ice Cream: Made with heavy cream and monk fruit sweetener.
- Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream: A dairy-free, vegan option with just peanut butter and bananas.
Tips for Mindful Indulgence
- Know Your Triggers: Identify what triggers your ice cream cravings (stress, boredom, hot weather).
- Portion Control: Stick to a half-cup serving.
- Eat Slowly: Savor each bite and use a small spoon to make it last longer.
- Add Fruit: Incorporate sliced bananas or strawberries for added nutrients.
- Drink Water: Stay hydrated to help beat false hunger.
Other Treat Cravings
The principles of moderation and healthier swaps can be applied to other treat cravings as well.
- Chocolate: Opt for dark chocolate with higher cocoa and less sugar.
- Chips: Try baking plantain or zucchini slices for crunchy alternatives.
- Cookies: Swap in banana or apple sauce for some of the butter.
- Candy: Fruits like grapes or berries can provide a sweet fix.
- Cake: Mix applesauce or yogurt into the batter to reduce fat and calories.
- Pie: Make mini crustless versions in a muffin tin for portion control.
When to Seek Additional Support
If you're struggling to control ice cream or other treat cravings, additional support from a medical advisor or counselor may be beneficial.