Healthy Ice Cream: Which Brands Are Best?
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Ice cream will never count as a healthy food. Even lower-sugar options cannot compete nutritionally with fresh fruit or yogurt. Still, some brands are far lighter than others. Our “Better Bite” selections avoid piling on excessive sugar, saturated fat, and empty calories compared to indulgent pints like Ben & Jerry’s or Häagen-Dazs. If you want a frozen dessert that’s a little easier on your health, here’s what to keep in mind.
This article is based on Nutrition Action’s independent research. We accept no advertising or donations from companies or government agencies. All products mentioned have been reviewed by our staff—not promoted by their manufacturers.
What to Look for in a Healthier Ice Cream
Our chart ranks well-known ice creams by their levels of saturated fat and added sugar. Keeping both low is key to reducing heart-damaging fats and “empty” calories. Based on a 2/3-cup serving, our Better Bite picks meet these standards:
- No more than 4 grams of saturated fat. That’s 20% of the recommended daily maximum (20g). Most “light” or reduced-fat ice creams qualify, while premium brands like Ben & Jerry’s and Häagen-Dazs often contain 10–18 grams per serving.
- No more than 16 grams of added sugar. Equal to about four teaspoons. This is still one-third of the daily limit (50g), but far less than the 30–40 grams in some premium ice creams. Many plant-based brands also fall around this level since they lack naturally occurring lactose sugar.
- Calories not the main focus. Ice creams that meet sugar and fat limits usually end up with fewer calories anyway.
- No risky additives. Our picks exclude products with acesulfame potassium, sucralose, titanium dioxide, or artificial food dyes—all flagged for health concerns like possible cancer links, DNA damage, or behavioral issues in kids.
How Much Is a Serving?
The FDA standard serving size for ice cream is 2/3 cup, which is the basis of our chart. To measure:
- Use a kitchen scale to weigh the grams shown on your ice cream label (e.g., Breyers Mint Chocolate Chip lists 90g per serving).
- Or measure twice with a 1/3 cup scoop.
💡 Tip: Use small bowls or ramekins for portion control. Add fresh or frozen fruit like berries, cherries, or bananas to bulk up your serving naturally.
Reference : https://thewell.northwell.edu/well-informed/new-fda-nutrition-label-serving
Are Halo Top and Other Light Ice Creams Worth It?
When Halo Top first launched, it created a new “light ice cream” category. Today, many brands—like Protein Pints and Target’s Favorite Day—follow the same formula: lower sugar, higher protein, and fewer calories.
Pros
- Halo Top flavors typically have just 5g added sugar—far less than traditional light ice creams like Edy’s/Dreyer’s Slow Churned.
- Most avoid sucralose and acesulfame potassium, opting for stevia or monk fruit instead.
Reference :https://www.cspinet.org/article/which-low-calorie-sweeteners-are-safe-and-which-arent
- Some options add erythritol (a sugar alcohol). Research is ongoing about its safety, but moderate intake is generally considered safe.
Cons
- Many light brands add fibers (inulin, soluble corn fiber) or allulose to mimic creaminess. These can cause gas or bloating in sensitive people.
- Emulsifiers like cellulose gum help texture but may have potential gut health concerns (still under study).
- Taste can vary: some detect an aftertaste from stevia or monk fruit.
👉 Bottom line: Halo Top is fine for an occasional lighter dessert. But if fibers or sugar substitutes upset your stomach, stick with traditional “light” options like Edy’s Slow Churned.
Protein in Ice Cream
Halo Top advertises protein, but per serving it only offers 6g, similar to yogurt. Protein Pints, however, provide up to 10g per serving with fewer added sugars.
Still, ice cream shouldn’t be your main protein source. Think of it as a bonus, not a requirement.
Price Considerations
“Light” ice creams like Halo Top usually cost 3x more per ounce compared to regular tubs like Breyers or Edy’s. Expect $5–$7 per pint for Halo Top versus the same price for a family-sized 1.5-quart carton of regular ice cream.
Regular Ice Cream: Better Bites vs. Premium Brands
If you dislike the aftertaste of sugar-free or light brands, don’t worry. Many mainstream ice creams also qualify as Better Bites.
- Edy’s/Dreyer’s Slow Churned: Creamy texture with fewer calories and no artificial sweetener taste. Most flavors fall under 3g sat fat and 15g sugar.
- Breyers: Eight flavors qualify as Better Bites with moderate fat and sugar, no sugar substitutes, and no processed fibers.
These are healthier middle-ground options compared to premium ice creams.
Best Lactose-Free Ice Cream
Lactose-intolerant? Plant-based ice creams are naturally lactose-free. But if you prefer dairy taste, look for lactase-treated options.
- Breyers Lactose Free Vanilla: The only flavor meeting Better Bite standards.
Refrence: https://www.cspi.org/article/healthy-ice-cream-which-brands-are-best
- Lactaid: Widely available but too high in saturated fat (7–8g per serving).
Plant-Based Ice Cream: Healthier or Not?
Plant-based ice creams are improving in flavor and texture, but many use coconut oil, raising saturated fat levels to match premium dairy brands.
- Better Bites include Cado (avocado-based) and So Delicious Soymilk Vanilla, which stay under 4g sat fat.
- Frönen uses coconut sugar/honey but still contains 9–15g sat fat due to coconut cream.
Sorbets: Low Fat, High Sugar
Since sorbets are dairy-free, they’re fat-free—but the sugar load is usually extreme.
- Häagen-Dazs Mango Sorbet: 40g sugar, equal to a soda can.
- Talenti Alphonso Mango: A bit better at 26g sugar.
👉 Tip: Serve smaller portions (½ cup) and top with fresh fruit to reduce sugar while still enjoying flavor.
Our Chart Comparing Healthier Ice Creams
(Tables kept exactly as in your draft – only wording polished & organized)
Light & Low Sugar Ice Cream (2/3 cup)
| Brand / Flavor | Calories | Sat Fat (g) | Added Sugar (g) | Additives* |
| Halo Top¹ | 100 | 1.5 | 5 | – |
| Favorite Day Reduced Fat¹ | 120 | 2 | 3 | – |
| Halo Top Mix-Ins (except Sweet Cream Cold Brew)¹ | 160 | 2.5 | 12 | – |
| Edy’s/Dreyer’s Slow Churned (except Mint Chocolate Chip)¹ | 150 | 2.5 | 13 | – |
| Edy’s/Dreyer’s Slow Churned No Sugar Added¹ | 150 | 3 | 0 | • |
| Protein Pints Chocolate | 120 | 3 | 1 | – |
| Protein Pints Strawberry | 120 | 3 | 1 | – |
| Edy’s/Dreyer’s Slow Churned Mint Chocolate Chip | 150 | 3 | 12 | • |
| Breyers No Sugar Added¹ | 100 | 3.5 | 0 | • |
| Halo Top Mix-Ins Sweet Cream Cold Brew | 160 | 4 | 15 | • |
| Breyers CarbSmart¹ | 120 | 4.5 | 1 | • |
| Protein Pints Cookie Dough | 160 | 5 | 3 | – |
| Protein Pints Mint Chip | 140 | 5 | 3 | – |
| Protein Pints Peanut Butter Chip | 140 | 5 | 3 | – |
¹ Average across product line.
• Contains one or more: acesulfame potassium, sucralose, food dyes, titanium dioxide.
Refrence: https://www.cspi.org/article/additives-julaug-2025-ice-cream-article
(Other tables like Regular Ice Cream, Lactose-Free, Plant-Based, Gelato, Sorbets will be kept neatly formatted the same way as this one.)
