17 Healthiest Ice Cream Brands for 2024
Lots of us love ice cream as a dessert, an evening snack or a treat on a hot day, but what are the healthiest ice cream choices?
While ice cream should always be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet, there are lots of dairy ice creams and non-dairy frozen desserts that can provide all of the taste but with fewer calories, thanks to their lower sugar content and focus on high-quality ingredients.
We’ve got the full scoop on 17 of the healthiest ice cream choices available right now, plus a few tips on how you can enjoy ice cream while still working towards your health goals.
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The 17 Most Healthy Ice Creams to Try
1. Halo Top
Halo Top regularly ranks as one of the healthiest ice creams to purchase. Each serving contains around 100 calories and 6 grams of protein, helping you feel fuller for longer.
With a huge range of flavors, Halo Top offers great variety for those seeking the healthiest ice cream brands. One of the most popular is the chocolate chip cookie dough — a rich vanilla base sprinkled with chocolate chips and pieces of raw cookie dough. There are also non-dairy and keto options, plus an assortment of sorbets which are all available at most major supermarkets.
2. GoodPop
A creamy alternative to the nostalgic popsicle you might have enjoyed as a kid, GoodPop is a superb choice for those seeking the healthiest ice cream.
We love the Orange n’ Cream Pop especially, which is made with organic orange juice and vanilla coconut cream. They’re dairy-free, so perfect for those avoiding lactose, and contain only 90 calories per portion. GoodPop is also organic, made from fairtrade ingredients and completely gluten-free.
For those who don’t like fruity flavors, this healthy ice cream brand also makes a selection of sandwiches, chocolate-covered ice cream squares and dairy ice cream bars.
3. Bubbies Mochi
If you fancy a bite-sized frozen treat, these are some of the healthiest ice cream options around. Based on the traditional Japanese dessert, Bubbies Mochi are made from a sweet rice dough filled with ice cream. They come in more than 25 flavors, from mango and strawberry to pistachio, churro, green tea and chocolate peanut butter.
Each individual mochi contains only 90 calories and is certified gluten-free so they’re one of the healthiest ice cream choices if you’re intolerant to gluten. They’re also very convenient if you’re hosting or looking for a dessert that kids will love.
4. Arctic Zero Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert
Arctic Zero first released its line of frozen desserts in 2018 and since then, has become one of the most popular healthiest ice cream brands. The texture is described as ‘light’ and ‘fluffy’ and each pint contains only 160-180 calories, working out to around 50 calories per serving.
Made from low-calorie fava beans, Arctic Zero is also certified plant-based so is great for vegans or those with a lactose intolerance. Thanks to the plant-based ingredients, it’s also higher in protein and has more fiber than some other brands labeled as the healthiest ice cream options.
Arctic Zero is available in a variety of exciting flavors including salted caramel, cake batter and Cookie Shake.
5. Cado Avocado Frozen Dessert
With 50% less sugar than standard ice cream and only 230 calories per serving, Cado is one of the healthiest ice cream choices. This vegan and dairy-free frozen dessert contains no corn syrup and is made from unsaturated avocado fat.
You can choose from 10 pint tub flavors, including chocolate mud pie, cookies and cream and our number one favorite, chocolate peanut butter. Fancy an individually wrapped version? No problem, because this healthy ice cream brand recently released two varieties of ice cream sandwiches.
6. Sweet Nothings Dessert Pops
If you’re looking for a healthy snack for any time of the day, then Sweet Nothings Dessert Pops should be top of your list. They come in three varieties, including banana chocolate peanut butter which is made from just six ingredients (bananas, water, organic dates, peanut butter, cacao and sea salt).
Each Dessert Pop is certified organic, gluten-free and entirely plant-based, making it one of the simplest additions to our healthiest ice cream list. Every naturally sweet Dessert Pop contains 80 calories and no added sugar.
They’re very portable, ideal for picnics and handy for kids. Plus, as they come in a convenient squeezy tube, it’s super simple to practice portion control, making it even easier to enjoy this pick among the healthiest ice cream options on the market.
7. Enlightened Keto Ice Cream
Perfect for those following a keto diet and looking for the healthiest ice cream, Enlightened’s P.B. Cookie and Brownie Dough is made with vanilla ice cream packed with cookie dough and brownie dough, as well as chocolate chips and a swirl of peanut butter.
Each serving contains only 1 gram of sugar and 2 grams of net carbs, so it’s a perfect after-dinner treat if you’re looking to cut down on carbohydrates. Each portion also has 5 grams of protein and 220 calories.
If you’re not a peanut fan, you don’t have to miss out — the Enlightened Caramel Double Dough and Butter Pecan ice creams are excellent alternatives and both contain 0 grams of added sugar and a maximum of 3 grams of net carbs.
8. So Delicious Frozen Dessert Sandwiches
Who doesn’t love an ice cream sandwich? If you’re like us, it’s often the first cool treat you make a beeline for when the temperature starts to rise. But if you’re seeking the healthiest ice cream sandwich then So Delicious Vanilla Bean might just be the wafer winner.
Each one is made with a smooth frozen vanilla dessert center, sandwiched between crisp chocolate wafers, and contains a mere 100 calories and only 7 grams of sugar. As they’re made from coconut milk, they’re also suitable for vegans.
In fact, the only criticism many reviewers have is that it’s difficult not to eat the entire box!
9. What the Chocolate Fudge Skinny Cow
If you’re looking for the healthiest ice cream cone, it doesn’t get much better than Skinny Cow’s What the Chocolate Fudge. Each cone is made with Skinny Cow’s light chocolate ice cream and topped with fudge sauce, at only 160 calories per cone, they’re a satisfying treat.
Each pack contains four cones to share (or not!) and can be purchased at supermarkets across the country. If you’re not a chocolate fan, there’s also a vanilla caramel version which is equally delectable and also one of the top healthiest ice cream choices.
10. Chloe’s Pops
Founded by a busy mom who wanted a sweet treat with no artificial ingredients, Chloe’s Pops are made from fruit, cane sugar and water. However, despite being one of the healthiest ice cream choices on the market at just 60 calories each, they’re also big on flavor.
The dark chocolate edition is a fan favorite but you can also check out other flavorful options, including mango, blueberry, lime and strawberry. They’re all dairy-free as well, so are suitable for vegans and anyone with a lactose intolerance.
11. Wildgood
Completely unique in our list of the healthiest ice cream options, Wildgood is made with a base of extra virgin olive oil directly from the founder’s family olive orchards in Greece. Perfected over a development period of eight years, the olive oil in Wildgood creates a creamy texture without the need for dairy ingredients.
This makes it a good option for vegans and those with a lactose intolerance. It also means that it only has 1 gram of saturated fat per serving, definitely earning it a place among the healthiest ice cream options on the market.
Wildgood has created a complete range of healthy ice cream flavors including chocolate hazelnut, mint chocolate chip and pistachio as well as caramelized fig and tahini mocha chip.
12. Alden’s Organic Bars
Alden’s focuses on using high-quality ingredients, including milk from grass-fed cows, to create its range of ice creams and frozen desserts. One of our healthiest ice cream favorites is the Chocolate Fudge Bar, which doesn’t contain any artificial ingredients, sweeteners or high fructose corn syrup.
Instead, each bar is made with organic components and only has 100 calories, so is fantastic for when you just want a small sweet treat. As well as bars, Oregon-based Alden’s makes an assortment of ice cream tubs with flavors like peanut butter, cold brew coffee and cookies and cream.
For those looking for the healthiest ice cream made without dairy, Alden’s also produces a range of vegan bars and ice cream sandwiches.
13. Yasso Poppables
When you just want a miniature ice cream hit, Yasso Poppables are a fantastic choice. We’ll come clean straight away and admit that while they did make it onto our list of the healthiest ice cream, they are actually made from frozen Greek yogurt. However, most reviewers aren’t able to tell the difference between this frozen yogurt treat and regular ice cream.
Each Poppable is made with a creamy vanilla interior and a rich, chocolate shell and contains just 35 calories. We think they’re one of the healthiest ice cream options, not only because they’re a bite-sized treat but also because they contain live cultures to support gut health.
14. Dream Pops
Containing only 100 calories per serving, Dream Pops is another awesome choice if you’re looking for the healthiest ice cream for a quick bite. They’re made with a frozen coconut milk filling coated with chocolate but are completely plant-based, making them suitable for vegans.
They’re also gluten-free, soy-free and don’t contain any artificial sweeteners. There are currently five flavors of Dream Pops to choose from, including birthday cake, Berry Dreams and the popular cookie dough.
15. Talenti
As a gelato, Talenti contains more milk and less cream than traditional dairy ice creams so is a good choice from the healthiest ice cream tubs in your local store. We love it though because it’s slow-churned so has a creamy texture that makes it very similar to full-fat ice cream.
Talenti comes in a range of delectable flavors, from simple vanilla to sea salt caramel. Each serving contains around 260 calories, depending on the flavor. Although that makes it more calorific than some of the other healthiest ice cream picks on our list, it’s still a good swap compared to full-fat dairy ice cream.
16. Alec’s Ice Cream
Although it's a full-fat ice cream, Alec’s makes it onto our list of the healthiest ice cream thanks to its organic ingredients. It’s made from A2-certified organic milk from pasture-fed cows and is made without any preservatives and additives.
Despite being made from dairy milk, there’s evidence to suggest that A2-graded milk can be more easily digested by some people who are lactose intolerant.
Every serving of Alec’s Tahitian vanilla ice cream has 270 calories, 23 grams of sugar, 18 grams of fat and 5 grams of protein but you’ll find plenty of other delicious flavors in the freezer, all with similar nutritional values. Our personal favorite is salted dark chocolate but the coffee and toffee combo isn’t far behind.
17. Kind Frozen Bars
You might be more used to seeing protein bars from the well-known brand Kind but they have recently branched into the frozen aisle, creating one of the healthiest ice cream bars on the market.
These innovative bars feature plant-based ice cream with crunchy nut pieces and smooth nut butter. They’re available in four flavors, including mint chocolate and dark chocolate sea salt and each bar contains just 180 calories as well as 4 grams of protein and 7 grams of fiber, helping to fill you up.
What Is the Healthiest Ice Cream?
The healthiest ice cream for you depends on your dietary needs, but opting for low-calorie, low-sugar and high-protein brands is a smart choice. Options such as Alec’s or Talenti are good for anyone seeking ice cream with minimal and responsibly sourced ingredients. Although these choices are higher in calories, they contain no artificial ingredients and can be part of a balanced diet when eaten in moderation.
For a low-sugar choice, Arctic Zero Non-Dairy offers some of the best frozen desserts. Protein-packed ice creams, such as Halo Top, can be a good choice to fill you up, minimizing the amount you consume, while Wildgood is packed full of healthy fats thanks to its olive oil base.
Ice Cream vs. Gelato vs. Frozen Desserts
When choosing the best and healthiest ice cream for your spoon, it can be helpful to understand the difference between ice cream, gelato and frozen desserts. Ice cream is made from a mix of sugar, dairy milk and cream. In order to be labeled officially as ice cream, it must contain at least 20% cream, 10% milk and 10% total fat per serving.
Gelato, however, is made with more milk and less cream than ice cream which makes it lower in fat and one of the healthier ice cream choices. In Italy, gelato legally has to be made with a fat content of 3.5% but this isn’t a requirement in the U.S.
If a product is made with more milk than cream or from plant-based milk, such as oat or soya, it must be labeled as a frozen dessert. There’s a growing number of these plant-based ice creams that are made without dairy and are suitable for vegans and those avoiding lactose.
While these might appear to be some of the healthiest ice cream picks, they can actually be higher in sugar than standard ice cream. It’s important to always check the nutrition information and opt for brands with under 15 grams of sugar and 6 grams of saturated fat per portion, such as Cado, to ensure you’re getting the healthiest ice cream, gelato or dairy-free frozen dessert.
Tips for Enjoying the Healthiest Ice Cream
Opting for any of the healthy ice creams featured on the list above is a great option if looking for a relatively nutritious sweet treat. However, there are some other tips to keep in mind to ensure you choose the healthiest ice cream if the above aren't available at your local store or don't take your fancy.
Check the Nutritional Information
Whichever of the healthiest ice cream picks you choose, it’s important to check the nutrition information label to find out the calorie, sugar and saturated fat content in a standard suggested serving.
If you’re looking to monitor your calorie intake, then measuring your serving is a great way to keep track. Or, you could pick one of the healthiest ice cream choices that come as a bar or sandwich, such as Kind Frozen Bars or Yasso Poppables, for an easy way to portion your treat.
Add Healthy Toppings
One of the best methods to increase the nutrition of even the healthiest ice cream is to add fruit, nuts and seeds. Some options on our list of the healthiest ice creams already contain healthy fruits, such as Sweet Nothings Dessert Pops, but adding extra can provide even more vitamins and minerals to contribute to overall good health.
Make Ice Cream From Scratch
Homemade ice cream is easier to whip up than you might think and can be one of the healthiest ice cream options. Making your own means you can control the amount of sugar going into the final product and allows you to customize your scoop with your favorite healthy ingredients.
Check out this recipe for cottage cheese ice cream for a protein-packed dessert that’s one of the healthiest ice cream choices.
Ice cream is a very popular treat and can be enjoyed as an occasional indulgence as part of a healthy diet. It’s not only delicious but also quick and easy to serve, available in a cool array of flavors and can be kept for a long time in the freezer.
While the healthiest ice cream covered on our list can help you add extra nutrition to your bowl or cone, it’s also important to monitor your portion size and make sure that your diet includes plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables and other nutrient-rich foods.
There’s a huge number of brands claiming to be the healthiest ice cream but, hopefully, this list has given you a good idea of which are the healthiest at the store. Choose the option that works best for you, whether that’s a bar, scoop or cone, and enjoy in moderation as part of a balanced diet. Plus, you can use our simple tips to add extra nutrition to your scoop.
For even more ways to explore your favorite foods, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.
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