As temperatures heat up, there are few things you’ll crave that are sticky and sweet. Ice cream is the exception, especially when you can enjoy it guilt-free. Impossible, you say? This deliciously healthy selection of store-bought frozen treats is higher in protein, packs fewer calories per pint and has less sugar. Some brands on the list also use organic-only ingredients and are free of processed sugars and artificial dyes. And if you’re dairy-free, soy-free or nut-free, you can have your scoop and eat it, too. We’ve got you covered with sorbets, fruit pops and even goat milk froyo. Craving a cone yet? Stock your freezer with these healthy ice cream brands ASAP.
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9 Healthy Ice Cream Brands to Try Now
1. Halo Top
Whether you’re desperately trying to quit sugar or at least wean yourself off of it, Halo Top uses stevia, a natural sweetener that comes from the stevia herb. It’s technically a lot sweeter than sugar but won’t give you the same blood-sugar spikes and crashes. And with taste-tempting flavors like lemon cake, red velvet, s’mores and oatmeal cookie, Halo Top’s got all your cravings covered. Plus, each pint packs 20 grams or more of protein. If you manage to eat the whole pint (we won’t tell), most top out at 320 calories and under.
2. Enlightened
You’ll love the creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture of Enlightened’s ice creams, which feature skim milk, milk protein isolate and monk fruit extract. In pints and bars, you can satisfy your craving for birthday cake, bananas foster, frozen hot chocolate and strawberry cheesecake. A half-cup serving of ice cream will run you just 60 to 100 calories. And for half the fat and sugar of regular ice cream, you can afford to add a few sprinkles on top.
3. Yasso
If it’s got a probiotic, then we can have one bar a day, right? Yasso’s ice cream sandwiches, bars and frozen candy bars are made with gut-friendly Greek yogurt. It also boasts a texture similar to slow-churned ice cream that’s often lost in low-fat, low-calorie varieties. If portion control is your kryptonite, each bar will fill you up with five grams of protein so you won’t hanker for another one. A bite of the Cinnamon Bun, Toffee Caramel Chocolate Chip and Black Raspberry Chip will melt away the stress of the day.
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4. Talenti
Talenti is known for its to-die-for Italian gelato and sorbettos made with all-natural and carefully sourced ingredients. Think Tahitian vanilla bean and Alphonso mangoes from India. For those following a dairy-free diet, we’re partial to the Peanut Butter Fudge Sorbetto. It’s packed with the creamy decadence of peanut butter and the richness of cocoa. (Did we mention it also has six grams of protein per serving?) The Vanilla Bean and Simply Strawberry gelatos are also good options if you want to stick to something low in sugar.
5. Victory Garden
The farm-to-table food trend is coming to a froyo stand near you, thanks to Sophia Brittan, the founder and chef of Victory Garden. The West Village-based café in New York City whips up fresh goat milk soft serve and fro-yo (lactose-friendly and a good source of iron, calcium, protein and potassium). Honey Lavender, Rose Petal, Salted Caramel, Chocolate and Baah-nilla are perfect pints to share at tea party or brunch.
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6. Chloe’s Pops
Made with real fruit, water and a touch of organic cane sugar, Chloe’s pops aren’t artificially sweetened like some store-bought ones are. The signature strawberry pops are just 60 calories and 14 grams of sugar per serving. Other flavors include mango, dark chocolate, pomegranate, tangerine, raspberry and pineapple. They’re so refreshing you’ll want to pop one into your glass of white wine for a colorful spritzer.
7. So Delicious
You’ve hit the vegan jackpot with these coconut, soy, almond and cashew milk-based ice cream treats. In pints, bars and sandwiches, you’ll find flavors like Cherry Amaretto, Chocolate Brownie Almond, Green Tea and Pomegranate Chip. They’re so refreshingly creamy and satisfying, your dairy-eating friends won’t know the difference.
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8. Charlie’s Sorbet
Check gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, carrageenan-free off the list for these delectable sorbets. While not all the ingredients are totally organic, Charlie’s Sorbets don’t have any artificial flavors or sweeteners. Sumptuous flavors include Midnight Chocolate, Double Coconut and Passion Fruit Lovin’. We’ll take a double of everything, please.
9. Julie’s Organic Ice Cream
USDA-approved organic and non-GMO, these frozen treats use the finest ingredients and have interesting flavor profiles. For example, Blackberries and Cream features real blackberries, egg yolks and lemon juice. For a frozen treat that’s made with whole milk, cream and cane sugar, you’ll feel satisfied after just a half-cup serving.