What is the healthiest ice cream?

While these low fat, low calorie, and low sugar ice cream options sound delicious and appealing, it’s important to note that they typically contain artificial ingredients and fillers to make up for their nutrient reductions.

This means that, despite being lower in calories, fat, or sugar, they tend to be high in artificial sweeteners, flavors, and colors.

Research shows that consuming large amounts of artificial sweeteners such as sugar alcohols — which are commonly found in sugar-free ice creams — can cause digestive issues like flatulence, abdominal discomfort, and increased bowel movements (1).

Therefore, ice creams perceived as healthier because of their reduced calorie and sugar content may end up leaving you with an upset stomach if consumed in large amounts.

However, they’re not harmful if consumed in moderation and may even be the healthiest choice for people following keto or low sugar diets.

The healthiest ice cream for you will ultimately depend on your individual dietary needs.

Just remember to look for products made with high quality ingredients instead of focusing solely on their nutritional profile. Among the products mentioned on this list, reBLEND frozen smoothie shots tick all the boxes.

Lastly, keep in mind that ice cream is meant to be enjoyed in moderation, regardless of which variety you choose.

What is a healthier substitute for ice cream?

Determining a healthier substitute for ice cream will also depend on your dietary needs.

Countless homemade options made with high quality ingredients make excellent ice cream alternatives. For instance, if you’re looking for a dairy-free substitute, homemade frozen banana-based ice creams, often called “nice creams,” can be a rich and creamy dessert.

However, they wouldn’t be the most suitable choice for someone on a keto diet. Instead, homemade ice pops made with unsweetened coconut milk, vanilla extract, cacao powder, berries, and your favorite nut butter could be a delicious keto-friendly option.

Similarly, if you’re looking for a low fat, protein-rich option, you can try making homemade frozen treats using Greek yogurt and fruit.

Is there a heart-healthy ice cream?

Novel avocado-based ice creams, such as Cado, deliver heart-healthy fats instead of the saturated fats found in regular ice cream (16).

Avocados are a high fat food, which contributes to the rich and creamy consistency of these products.

However, their fat content consists primarily of monounsaturated fatty acids, a heart-healthy type of fat. Avocados also contain zero cholesterol, are rich in fiber, and provide numerous beneficial plant compounds (16, 17).

Thanks to their nutritional content, avocados may help reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels and increasing HDL (good) cholesterol levels (16, 17).

Still, some avocado-based ice creams still contain their fair share of sugar, which, if consumed in excess, can increase the risk of weight gain and heart disease (18, 19).

What is healthier, frozen yogurt or ice cream?

Despite being perceived as a healthier option, frozen yogurt is not necessarily healthier than ice cream.

While frozen yogurt can be a source of protein and prebiotics, it can also be high in sugar and fat (20).

Also, frozen yogurt is often enjoyed with toppings such as candies and syrups, which can further increase its sugar content (21).

Feel free to enjoy frozen yogurt and ice cream from time to time. Just remember to do so in moderation since, much like other sweets, they should not account for more than 10% of your total daily calorie intake (20).