What Is the Healthiest Ice Cream Brand for Your Diet?

October 5, 2025 •

5 min read

Searches for 'high protein ice cream' surged by 39% between 2023 and 2024, showing a significant rise in consumers seeking healthier alternatives for their favorite treats. This trend leads to a single, pressing question: What is the healthiest ice cream brand?

Quick Summary

Deciding on the healthiest ice cream brand depends on dietary needs, focusing on low sugar, calories, and artificial additives. Top contenders include Halo Top, Enlightened, and Rebel, but the best choice varies based on individual health goals.

Key Points

Define Your 'Healthy': What makes an ice cream 'healthy' is subjective. The best choice depends on your specific dietary goals, such as limiting calories, carbs, or avoiding dairy.
Scrutinize the Ingredients: A short, recognizable ingredient list is often a sign of a less-processed product. Be wary of a long list of fillers, gums, and artificial additives.
Know Your Sweeteners: Low-sugar brands often use sugar alcohols and natural non-nutritive sweeteners. These can sometimes cause digestive distress, so be mindful of your tolerance.
Dairy-Free Doesn't Always Mean Lower Calorie: While great for those with lactose intolerance, non-dairy options can sometimes be high in saturated fat and calories, particularly if they are coconut-based.
Portion Control is Paramount: Regardless of the brand, mindful portion control is the most effective way to enjoy ice cream as part of a balanced diet. Look for pre-portioned bars or use a small bowl.
Consider High-Protein Options for Satiety: Brands that add protein or fiber can help you feel full and satisfied with a smaller serving, aiding in appetite control.

Finding the 'healthiest' ice cream is not as simple as picking the lowest-calorie option on the shelf. The best choice depends heavily on your specific dietary needs, whether you're managing weight, avoiding dairy, or following a ketogenic diet. While most traditional premium ice creams are high in saturated fat and added sugar, a growing market of alternatives offers more nutritious profiles. To make an informed decision, it's crucial to look beyond marketing claims and examine the nutrition facts and ingredient list closely.

Key Factors for Defining 'Healthy' Ice Cream

What one person considers healthy, another may not. When evaluating a frozen dessert, consider these factors:

Added Sugar Content: This is a major area of concern for most diets. Many 'healthier' brands reduce added sugar by using natural, non-caloric sweeteners like stevia, monk fruit extract, or sugar alcohols. However, sugar alcohols can cause digestive discomfort for some.
Saturated Fat: Standard ice cream is high in saturated fat due to its cream base. Low-fat and dairy-free options often contain less, but coconut-based alternatives can still be high.
Calorie Density: This is a top consideration for weight management. Brands like Halo Top and Enlightened are known for their lower overall calorie counts per pint.
Protein and Fiber: Some brands add extra protein or fiber to increase satiety, which can help with portion control.
Ingredient Quality: Look for a short, recognizable ingredient list with minimal artificial additives, preservatives, or colorings.

Contenders for the Healthiest Ice Cream Brand

Halo Top

Known for its low-calorie and high-protein approach, Halo Top was a pioneer in the 'healthy' ice cream space.

Pros: Low calorie count (around 280-360 calories per pint), high protein, and low sugar, using stevia and erythritol.
Cons: Taste and texture may differ from traditional ice cream, sometimes described as icy or chalky. Erythritol can cause GI issues in sensitive individuals.

Enlightened

Offering a range of low-calorie, low-sugar, and high-protein pints, Enlightened is another strong competitor.

Pros: Creamy texture, low calorie (80-120 per serving), high protein. Also uses erythritol and monk fruit.
Cons: Contains fillers and thickeners to achieve creaminess.

Rebel Creamery

An excellent option for those on a keto or low-carb diet, Rebel uses a high-fat, no-sugar approach.

Pros: Made with real cream and egg yolks, resulting in a rich, traditional ice cream texture. Sweetened with monk fruit and erythritol, containing zero grams of added sugar.
Cons: High fat content leads to a higher calorie count than other low-cal brands, though still moderate.

Yasso Greek Yogurt Bars

These frozen Greek yogurt bars are a standout for portion-controlled, high-protein snacks.

Pros: High in protein and lower in fat compared to regular ice cream, plus pre-portioned for easy control.
Cons: While lower fat, they can still contain a significant amount of sugar.

Cado

Made from avocado, Cado offers a dairy-free, plant-based alternative rich in healthy unsaturated fats.

Pros: Organic, dairy-free, vegan, and soy-free. Provides healthy fats and a creamy texture.
Cons: Lower in protein and can still be calorie-dense.

So Delicious Dairy Free

With a wide variety of dairy-free options (coconut, oat, cashew, soy milk), So Delicious caters to many dietary restrictions.

Pros: Extensive flavor selection, vegan, and uses organic ingredients.
Cons: Don't assume all non-dairy is low calorie. Some versions, especially coconut-based, can be high in saturated fat and sugar.

Comparison Table: Healthy Ice Cream Brands

Here is a side-by-side comparison of different healthy ice cream options based on typical nutritional profiles. All figures are based on a standard 2/3 cup serving, which is the FDA standard.


Brand	Base	Key Feature	Calories (2/3 cup)	Saturated Fat (g)	Added Sugar (g)
Halo Top (Vanilla Bean)	Dairy	Low-Calorie, High-Protein	100	1.5	5
Enlightened (Vanilla)	Dairy	Low-Calorie, High-Protein	100	2.5	5
Rebel (Vanilla)	Dairy (Keto)	No Added Sugar, High-Fat	190	19	0
Yasso (Fudge Bar)	Greek Yogurt	Portion-Controlled, High-Protein	80 (per bar)	0	12
Cado (Vanilla Bean)	Avocado	Dairy-Free, Healthy Fats	220	2	14
So Delicious (Soymilk Vanilla)	Soymilk	Dairy-Free, Low Sat Fat	170	0.5	16
Breyers (Light Vanilla)	Dairy	Low-Fat, Mainstream	140	3	14

Making an Informed Choice

Beyond specific brands, knowing how to interpret nutritional information is key to finding a healthy frozen dessert.

Check Serving Size: The FDA-mandated standard serving size is 2/3 cup, but many pints market a low-calorie total based on consuming the entire container. Be mindful of how much you're actually eating.
Prioritize Added Sugars: The FDA lists 'added sugars' separately from total sugars. Aim for options with lower added sugar to reduce your intake of empty calories.
Scrutinize the Ingredient List: Look for natural ingredients like milk, cream, and fruit. A lengthy list full of gums, stabilizers, and artificial sweeteners can indicate a more processed product.

Conclusion: The Best Choice is a Personal One

There is no single answer to the question, What is the healthiest ice cream brand? The best option depends entirely on your dietary needs and preferences. For those counting calories, Halo Top and Enlightened are strong choices. If you're on a low-carb or keto diet, Rebel Creamery excels. Dairy-free seekers have excellent options in Cado and So Delicious. For a simple, portion-controlled treat, Yasso bars or homemade fruit sorbets are great. The ultimate takeaway is that moderation is always key, and making an informed choice based on nutrition labels and personal goals will lead to the most satisfying, healthy frozen treat.

For more in-depth nutritional information, visit the Center for Science in the Public Interest's guide on choosing healthy ice cream.

The Best Ice Cream Is Personalized

Your definition of 'healthiest' should align with your specific dietary needs, such as low-carb, vegan, or calorie-conscious goals.

Read the Label, Not Just the Pint

Ignore total calories emblazoned on the front and check the actual serving size and detailed nutrition facts, especially for added sugars and saturated fats.

Be Wary of Zero-Sugar Claims

Brands that market as 'no sugar added' often use sugar alcohols like erythritol, which can cause digestive issues for sensitive individuals.

Explore Dairy-Free Beyond Just Vegan

Dairy-free options like Cado (avocado-based) offer different nutritional profiles. Don't assume all vegan alternatives are lower in calories or fat, especially those with coconut cream.

Homemade 'Nice Cream' Is a Top Contender

For ultimate control over ingredients and sugar, making 'nice cream' at home with frozen bananas or other fruit offers a simple and nutrient-dense alternative.

Moderation is Key for All Options

Even the healthiest-marketed ice cream is a treat. Portion control remains the most important factor for incorporating it into a balanced diet.

Frequently Asked Questions

While Halo Top offers a lower-calorie and higher-protein alternative to traditional ice cream, it is not a health food. It contains sweeteners like erythritol that may cause GI issues in some people and should be enjoyed in moderation.

Not necessarily. Dairy-free ice creams, especially those with a coconut milk base, can be high in saturated fat and sugar. It is essential to compare the nutrition labels with dairy-based alternatives to make an informed choice.

Look for a product with minimal and recognizable ingredients. Pay attention to the serving size, total calories, and especially the grams of added sugar on the nutrition label.

Yes, but you should choose a brand specifically formulated for keto diets, like Rebel Creamery or Halo Top's Keto series. These products are low in carbs and sugar, using alternative sweeteners like monk fruit and erythritol.

While often lower in fat, some sorbets can be exceptionally high in sugar. Similarly, some frozen yogurts may be loaded with sugar to compensate for lower fat content. Always check the nutrition facts.

Many people find that low-calorie and low-sugar alternatives have a slightly different texture or an aftertaste from their alternative sweeteners. Taste preference is personal, so experimenting with a few brands might be necessary.

Practice portion control by serving the ice cream in a small bowl instead of eating directly from the pint. You can also opt for pre-portioned snacks like Yasso bars to help manage your intake.