What is the Healthiest Icy Pole? Unpacking Your Frozen Treat Options

November 13, 2025 •

4 min read

According to LiveLighter, some icy poles contain as much as five teaspoons of added sugar, almost a child's entire recommended daily intake. For those wondering what is the healthiest icy pole, the answer largely depends on opting for minimal ingredients and avoiding hidden sweeteners and artificial additives.

Quick Summary

This guide reveals how to identify the healthiest icy pole choices by scrutinizing ingredient lists and understanding the difference between natural and added sugars. Key comparisons between commercial products and simple homemade versions are provided to help you make an informed decision for a better frozen treat.

Key Points

Homemade is Healthiest: Creating your own icy poles from whole fruits and natural ingredients gives you full control over sugar and additives.
Prioritise Whole Fruit: Opt for recipes or products that use whole fruit puree rather than processed fruit juice concentrates, which offer more fibre and vitamins.
Beware of Added and Artificial Sugars: Many commercial icy poles are loaded with added sugar or use alternative sweeteners that can have negative side effects.
Read the Ingredient Label: For store-bought options, choose brands with minimal, recognizable ingredients and check for added sugars, gums, and artificial colours.
Low Sugar Content is Key: When buying commercial icy poles, look for products with less than 15g of sugar per 100g, and be mindful of total daily sugar intake.
Greek Yogurt Adds Creaminess and Protein: Incorporating Greek yogurt into homemade icy poles offers a creamy texture and extra nutrients, making it a more substantial and satisfying snack.
Consider Cost-Effectiveness: Homemade icy poles are often more economical in the long run than repeatedly buying pre-packaged ones.

Why Making Your Own Icy Poles is the Healthiest Option

When it comes to enjoying a cold treat without the guilt, making your own icy poles at home is the definitive winner. Homemade versions allow for complete control over ingredients, ensuring you use whole fruits, natural sweeteners, and zero artificial additives. This is a stark contrast to many commercial options, which often rely on reconstituted juices, high sugar content, and a host of gums and stabilizers.

The Drawbacks of Most Store-Bought Icy Poles

Many commercially produced icy poles come with a number of drawbacks that make them less healthy. Common issues include:

High Added Sugar Content: Brands like Zooper Doopers contain a significant amount of sugar and little to no nutritional value. Even those claiming to be 'sugar-free' often use artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols, which can cause digestive issues in some people.
Artificial Additives: Artificial colours and flavours are common in many conventional icy poles and have been linked to potential health issues, especially in children. Preservatives are also often added to extend shelf life.
Low Nutritional Value: While some products feature fruit juice, it is often from concentrate and reconstituted, stripping away many of the natural vitamins and enzymes. Whole fruit purees offer a far richer nutrient profile.
Thickeners and Gums: Ingredients like guar gum and xanthan gum are used to improve texture and prevent ice crystals, but they are highly processed and unnecessary in homemade versions.

Comparison: Homemade vs. Store-Bought Icy Poles


Feature	Homemade Icy Poles	Store-Bought Icy Poles	What to Look For	What to Avoid
Ingredients	Whole fruit, yogurt, coconut milk, natural juices.	Reconstituted juices, sugar, glucose syrup, gums, artificial flavours and colours.	Simple, real food ingredients.	Long, unpronounceable ingredient lists.
Sugar	Natural sugars from whole fruit; optional natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup.	Often high in added sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, or artificial sweeteners.	Minimal to no added sugar.	Any form of high-added sugar or artificial sweeteners like sucralose.
Fibre	High, especially when using whole fruit and purees.	Typically low, as juice from concentrate is often used.	Higher fibre content from whole fruits.	Juice-only versions with no pulp or puree.
Additives	None.	Often contains artificial colours, flavours, and preservatives.	Absence of artificial colours and flavours.	E-numbers, preservatives, and unnecessary additives.
Cost	Generally cheaper than purchasing commercial packs.	More expensive per serving than making your own.	Making your own is the most cost-effective.	Paying a premium for processed ingredients.

Creating Your Own Healthy and Delicious Icy Poles

Making your own icy poles is surprisingly simple and allows for endless flavour combinations. You can use silicone moulds or even small cups with sticks.

Simple Fruit and Yoghurt Icy Poles

Blend 2 cups of your favourite mixed berries (fresh or frozen) with 1 cup of plain Greek yoghurt and a tablespoon of honey or maple syrup to taste.
Pour into moulds and freeze for at least 5 hours.
Greek yoghurt provides a creamy texture and added protein, while the whole fruit delivers fibre and vitamins.

100% Fruit Juice Icy Poles

For a simple, classic icy pole, use 100% fruit juice without any added sugar.
Puree fresh watermelon or strain freshly squeezed orange juice.
You can also layer different juices for a colourful and varied treat.

Vitamin-Packed Green Icy Poles

Blend a handful of spinach or kale into a mixture of banana and pineapple. The fruit will naturally mask the flavour of the greens.
This is a great way to incorporate extra nutrients into a fun treat.

How to Choose Healthier Store-Bought Options

If you're buying from the supermarket, knowing what to look for can help you make a better choice.

Read the Ingredients List: The healthiest options will have a short, simple list of real food ingredients, with fruit or fruit puree listed first. Avoid products with corn syrup, glucose syrup, or artificial ingredients.
Check for Added Sugars: Look for options with minimal added sugar. The World Health Organization recommends limiting added sugar intake, so opt for products with less than 15g of sugar per 100g. Be wary of 'sugar-free' claims, which may use controversial sweeteners.
Choose Whole Fruit Over Concentrate: Prioritise icy poles made with whole fruit puree over those made with fruit juice from concentrate. Whole fruit offers more fibre and nutrients, and the concentrate process can strip away beneficial properties.
Avoid Gums and Thickeners: While some gums are not overly concerning in small amounts, they are often a sign of a highly processed product. Simpler ingredient lists are almost always better.

Conclusion

Determining what is the healthiest icy pole ultimately depends on your approach. While store-bought brands like Proud & Punch or certain low-sugar options are a better choice than conventional sugary ones, the absolute healthiest option remains a homemade icy pole. By blending whole fruits, adding creamy ingredients like Greek yoghurt or coconut milk, and avoiding artificial additives, you can create a delicious, nutritious frozen treat that is far superior to anything found in a supermarket freezer aisle. Taking control of your ingredients ensures a healthier, more wholesome, and equally refreshing icy pole every time. For those times when a store-bought treat is unavoidable, remember to read the label carefully and opt for the simplest ingredient list possible. Making healthier choices is a small change that can have a big impact on your diet and well-being.(https://www.bennipops.com/post/organic-popsicles-vs-conventional-popsicles-making-a-healthy-choice).

Frequently Asked Questions

The simplest homemade recipe involves pureeing 100% fruit, such as watermelon or berries, and pouring it into moulds to freeze. For a slightly creamier version, you can blend fruit with plain Greek yoghurt.

Not necessarily. Many 'sugar-free' icy poles contain artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols, like erythritol and maltitol, which are highly processed and can cause digestive issues in some people. They also lack the nutritional benefits of whole fruit.

Look for a short ingredient list with whole fruit or fruit puree listed as the first ingredient. Avoid products with high sugar content, fruit juice from concentrate, artificial colours, and thickeners like guar gum or xanthan gum.

Yes, blending mild-tasting vegetables like spinach, cucumber, or even sweet root vegetables like beetroot into a fruit-based icy pole is an excellent way to add nutrients without compromising flavour.

Some better store-bought options include Proud & Punch (which often uses a high percentage of real fruit juice and minimal ingredients) and Berri Quelch (which uses 99% fruit juice). Always check the specific flavour's ingredient list, as formulations can vary.

Reconstituted fruit juice, which is made from concentrate, loses some nutrients during processing. While it's better than pure sugar water, it lacks the fibre and full nutritional benefits of whole fruit puree. Look for 'whole fruit puree' for the most nutritional value.

For a dairy-free creamy icy pole, you can use full-fat coconut milk or dairy-free yoghurt alternatives blended with your favourite fruit. This provides a rich, smooth texture and is a great option for those avoiding dairy.