Is there any ice cream without sugar? Understanding Your 'No Sugar' Options

November 29, 2025 •

4 min read

Most traditional "sugar-free" ice creams are actually labeled "no sugar added" because they still contain natural sugars, such as lactose from milk. This means that while true zero-sugar ice cream is rare, there are many delicious and viable alternatives available for those watching their sugar intake.

Quick Summary

This guide explains the difference between "no sugar added" and truly sugar-free ice cream, highlighting how alternatives use artificial or natural sweeteners. It covers various commercially available options, homemade recipes, and important factors like the use of sugar alcohols and potential health considerations for making informed choices.

Key Points

No Sugar Added vs. Sugar-Free: Commercially, most products are "no sugar added" because dairy contains natural lactose sugar, making truly zero-sugar ice cream very rare.
Alternative Sweeteners: Brands replace sugar with alternatives like erythritol, stevia, monk fruit, allulose, and sucralose to achieve sweetness without the caloric impact.
Texture Science: Manufacturers use a combination of sugar alcohols and bulking agents to mimic the texture, mouthfeel, and freezing point that sugar normally provides.
Keto and Dairy-Free Options: Numerous brands, such as Rebel, So Delicious, and Halo Top, cater to specific dietary needs with low-sugar, dairy-free, and keto-friendly products.
Homemade Alternatives: Homemade recipes using frozen fruit (like bananas) or high-fat bases with natural sweeteners offer a healthy and customizable alternative to store-bought varieties.
Check Labels: Always read the nutrition label to understand which sweeteners are used and if the product contains sugar alcohols that might cause digestive issues for some individuals.

The Sweet Truth: No Sugar vs. No Added Sugar

Many consumers searching for a sugar-free treat are surprised to find that most products are labeled "no sugar added" rather than genuinely sugar-free. The key distinction lies in the ingredients. Traditional ice cream is made with dairy, and milk naturally contains lactose, a type of sugar. Unless an ice cream is completely dairy-free, it will likely contain some form of natural sugar. Therefore, products labeled "no sugar added" simply mean that no additional cane sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, or other caloric sweeteners were included during the manufacturing process. To achieve the sweet taste, manufacturers rely on natural or artificial sweeteners that provide sweetness without the calories or glycemic impact of sugar.

Sweeteners and the Science of 'Sugar-Free' Ice Cream

The science of creating a frozen dessert without sugar is more complex than simply omitting it. Sugar plays a crucial role in ice cream's texture, mouthfeel, and freezing point. To compensate for the missing bulk and to prevent the dessert from becoming a rock-hard block of ice, manufacturers use a combination of different ingredients:

Freezing Point Depressants: Sugar alcohols like erythritol, maltitol, and xylitol are often used to lower the freezing point, ensuring a scoopable, soft texture.
Bulking Agents: Ingredients such as inulin and polydextrose are added to replace the bulk and creaminess that sugar provides, preventing the product from having a watery mouthfeel.
High-Intensity Sweeteners: Artificial or natural sweeteners like sucralose, stevia, and monk fruit extract are added in small doses to provide the necessary sweetness without impacting texture or bulk.

Commercial Brands Offering Low-Sugar and No-Sugar-Added Options

The market for low-sugar and no-sugar-added ice cream has expanded significantly, offering a range of products for different dietary needs, such as keto or dairy-free. Some prominent brands include:

Rebel Ice Cream: Specifically designed for keto diets, Rebel uses high-fat dairy and is sweetened with erythritol and monk fruit.
Halo Top: Known for its low-calorie, high-protein pints, Halo Top offers both low-sugar and keto-series options.
So Delicious: Their "No Sugar Added" line features coconut milk-based, dairy-free frozen desserts sweetened with monk fruit and erythritol.
Breyers CarbSmart: This line of frozen dairy desserts uses sugar alcohols and sucralose for sweetness and offers a low-carb alternative.
Arctic Zero: Offers keto-friendly options using allulose and monk fruit, with a lower calorie count.
Naturals Ice Cream: Some of their offerings, like Anjeer and Mango, are labeled as "no added sugar".

Making Your Own Sugar-Free Ice Cream at Home

For those who prefer a more natural or customized approach, homemade recipes are a great option. Controlling the ingredients is simple and allows for healthier results. Many recipes for a creamy, no-sugar-added treat exist and don't even require a dedicated ice cream maker.

A simple homemade approach involves:

Frozen Fruit Blends: Blending frozen bananas or other frozen fruit with coconut milk creates a naturally sweet "nice cream" with a creamy texture.
Keto Vanilla Base: Combining heavy whipping cream, a powdered zero-calorie sweetener like allulose, and vanilla extract can create a smooth, rich keto-friendly ice cream base.
Using Avocados: For a decadent, naturally fatty ice cream, blend ripe avocados with cocoa powder and a sweetener for a rich chocolate dessert.

A Comparative Look: Sweeteners in No-Sugar-Added Ice Cream

To help you decide, here's a comparison of common sweeteners used in sugar-free and no-sugar-added ice creams:


Sweetener	Type	Taste	GI Impact	Common Use	Pros	Cons
Erythritol	Sugar Alcohol	Mild, slightly cool	Negligible	Keto brands (e.g., Rebel, Halo Top)	Minimal calories, no blood sugar spike	Can cause digestive issues in large amounts
Stevia	Natural (Plant)	Very sweet, some aftertaste	Negligible	Low-sugar products	Zero calories, plant-based	Taste can be polarizing for some
Monk Fruit	Natural (Fruit)	Intense sweetness	Negligible	Keto and NSA options	Zero calories, no blood sugar effect	Often combined with other sweeteners
Allulose	Rare Sugar	Mild, like sugar	Negligible	Growing in popularity (e.g., Arctic Zero)	Tastes and functions like sugar, few calories	Newer, may be less widely available
Sucralose	Artificial	Very sweet, no aftertaste	Negligible	Breyers CarbSmart, other NSA	No calories, very strong sweetness	Some concerns regarding artificial additives

Conclusion

So, is there any ice cream without sugar? The answer is a bit nuanced. While commercially produced dairy ice creams will always contain some natural lactose, many excellent "no sugar added" and sugar-free alternatives are available. These products use natural or artificial sweeteners and are formulated to replicate the rich, creamy texture of traditional ice cream. Whether you opt for a store-bought keto brand like Rebel, a dairy-free option from So Delicious, or a homemade frozen fruit blend, you can satisfy your craving for a sweet, frozen treat without added sugar. Be mindful of which sweeteners are used, as their impact on taste and digestion can vary. Choosing the right product or recipe depends on your dietary goals, whether they're related to weight management, diabetes, or simply a healthier lifestyle.

Visit Health.com for more information on keto-friendly ice cream brands and ingredients.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main difference is that 'no sugar added' ice cream contains natural sugars from its ingredients, like lactose from milk, while 'sugar-free' implies a product with virtually no sugar. Since almost all dairy ice creams contain lactose, most are labeled 'no sugar added'.

Common sugar substitutes include natural sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit, and sugar alcohols like erythritol, xylitol, and maltitol. Some products also use artificial sweeteners like sucralose.

Yes, many people with diabetes can enjoy no-sugar-added ice cream, but it's important to be mindful of the total carbohydrates and fiber content, as different sweeteners and dairy bases can affect blood sugar levels. Products like Rebel and Halo Top offer low-carb options.

The flavor can differ due to the sweeteners used, as some, like stevia, can have a mild aftertaste or a "cooling" effect on the tongue, unlike the distinct sweetness of sugar. Replacing the bulk and texture of sugar also affects the overall mouthfeel.

Homemade options can be healthier as they give you full control over the ingredients. You can use natural, whole-food bases like frozen fruit or avocados, and choose your preferred sweetener, avoiding artificial additives.

Yes, sugar-free ice cream is not necessarily calorie-free. It still contains calories from other ingredients like dairy fat or coconut milk. The absence of added sugar simply lowers the total calorie count compared to traditional ice cream.

Rebel Creamery is a popular keto-friendly brand, known for its high-fat, low-carb formulas that are specifically designed to fit into a ketogenic diet.