What Is the Lowest Sugar Ice Cream? A Guide to Guilt-Free Treats

October 23, 2025 •

4 min read

The average scoop of traditional ice cream can pack more sugar than a can of soda, but that doesn't mean you have to skip dessert. For those monitoring their intake, understanding what is the lowest sugar ice cream and how to find it is essential for a healthier choice.

Quick Summary

Compare the best lowest-sugar ice cream brands for keto, low-carb, and general health. Learn how to decipher labels and evaluate artificial sweeteners for an informed choice.

Key Points

Label Literacy: Read beyond the "low sugar" claim; check for Total Sugars, Added Sugars, and specific sweeteners listed on the nutrition label.
Keto Brands: Brands like Rebel Creamery and Keto Pint offer some of the lowest sugar options, using sweeteners like erythritol and monk fruit.
No Sugar Added: Mainstream brands like Breyers and Edy's NSA have no added sugar but may contain natural milk sugars and alternative sweeteners like sucralose.
Digestive Effects: Be mindful of sugar alcohols like erythritol and maltitol, which can cause bloating or gas in some people.
DIY Alternatives: Consider making your own low-sugar frozen treats using blended frozen bananas, Greek yogurt, or avocado to control all ingredients.
Mindful Indulgence: Low-sugar ice cream is a treat, not a health food. Portion control is key, even with lighter versions.

Navigating the Sweetscape of Ice Cream

For health-conscious consumers, the frozen dessert aisle can be a minefield of sugar and calories. But with growing demand, a new generation of ice creams and frozen treats has emerged, promising low-sugar indulgence. The key to finding the lowest sugar ice cream lies in understanding labels and knowing which brands prioritize lower sugar formulations.

The Importance of Reading Nutrition Labels

Simply relying on a "low-sugar" claim can be misleading. A closer look at the nutrition label is crucial, especially the sections on 'Total Sugars' and 'Added Sugars.' A product labeled "No Sugar Added" may still contain naturally occurring sugars from milk, while low-carb or keto products often use sugar alcohols or alternative sweeteners that impact overall carbohydrate and calorie counts differently.

Deciphering Sweeteners and Their Effects

Low-sugar ice creams achieve their sweetness by replacing traditional cane sugar with alternatives. These vary widely and can affect your body and taste buds in different ways:

Sugar Alcohols: Erythritol, maltitol, and sorbitol are common. While they contain fewer calories, they are not fully absorbed by the body. In large amounts, they can cause digestive upset, bloating, and gas in sensitive individuals.
Natural Sweeteners: Stevia and monk fruit extract are derived from plants and are generally well-tolerated. They provide intense sweetness with minimal impact on blood sugar levels.
Allulose: This is a low-calorie sugar found naturally in small quantities. The FDA allows it to be excluded from total and added sugar counts on labels because it is not metabolized like regular sugar.

The Contenders: Your Lowest Sugar Ice Cream Options

Several brands stand out for their commitment to low-sugar products, catering to various dietary needs from keto to dairy-free. Here are some of the most popular choices:

Rebel Creamery: Widely known in the keto community, Rebel Creamery offers a full-fat, low-carb option with zero grams of added sugar. It uses erythritol and monk fruit extract for sweetness, providing a rich, creamy texture without the sugar crash. Because of its higher fat content, it stays soft even at low temperatures.
Keto Pint: As its name suggests, this brand also targets the keto market. Keto Pint offers delicious, creamy pints with zero grams of added sugar, relying on natural sweeteners to achieve its flavor. It uses milk protein concentrate and heavy cream to maintain a traditional ice cream feel.
Breyers No Sugar Added: A classic, accessible option found in most grocery stores. The No Sugar Added Vanilla Frozen Dairy Dessert has no added sugars but contains some naturally occurring sugar from milk. It uses maltitol syrup and Splenda (sucralose) as sweeteners and has a lower calorie count than regular ice cream.
So Delicious No Sugar Added (Dairy-Free): For those seeking a non-dairy, no-added-sugar option, So Delicious offers coconut milk-based frozen desserts. These are sweetened with monk fruit and erythritol, and contain zero grams of added sugar.
Edy's/Dreyer's Slow Churned No Sugar Added: Similar to Breyers, this light ice cream is formulated to contain no added sugar and fewer calories and fat than regular versions. It uses a blend of sweeteners, including maltitol syrup and sucralose.
Arctic Zero: This brand focuses on low-calorie, non-dairy frozen desserts with significantly less sugar and fat. Some flavors use allulose and monk fruit to achieve a lower sugar profile. It is known for its lighter texture compared to full-fat options.

DIY Options for Complete Control

If you want total control over ingredients and sweetness, making your own low-sugar ice cream is a great option. Base recipes often use natural, unsweetened ingredients like frozen bananas, Greek yogurt, or avocado. For sweetness, you can add a touch of low-sugar fruit, stevia, or monk fruit extract. Using an ice cream maker can help with a smoother texture, but simple, no-churn recipes are also available.

Weighing the Trade-offs: Taste, Texture, and Health

When choosing a low-sugar ice cream, it's important to set realistic expectations. Replacing sugar and fat affects the final product's taste and texture. Some people notice a slight aftertaste from certain sweeteners, while others find the texture to be icier than premium ice cream. Digestive sensitivity to sugar alcohols is also a major consideration.

For a truly healthy choice, remember that low-sugar ice cream is still a processed dessert. It is not a nutritional powerhouse like whole fruit or yogurt, but it can be an excellent occasional treat. Read labels, understand the sweeteners used, and listen to your body to find a product that works for you. The Cleveland Clinic offers an excellent resource on the safety of artificial sweeteners: Are Artificial Sweeteners Bad for You?.

Comparison Table: Popular Low-Sugar Ice Cream Brands


Brand	Type	Total Sugars (per serving)	Sweeteners Used	Notes
Rebel Creamery	Keto / Full-Fat	0g Added Sugar	Erythritol, Monk Fruit	Zero added sugar, higher in fat for creaminess.
Keto Pint	Keto / Dairy	0g Added Sugar	Erythritol, Monk Fruit	Certified keto and gluten-free.
So Delicious	Dairy-Free	0-3g (varies)	Monk Fruit, Erythritol	Coconut milk base, certified vegan, zero added sugar.
Breyers No Sugar Added	Frozen Dairy Dessert	5g (natural)	Maltitol Syrup, Sucralose	Widely available, no added sugar, uses sucralose.
Edy's/Dreyer's NSA	Light Ice Cream	5g (natural)	Maltitol Syrup, Sucralose	Light ice cream, no added sugar, uses sucralose.
Arctic Zero	Non-Dairy Dessert	8g (vanilla latte)	Allulose, Monk Fruit	Very low calorie, dairy-free, uses allulose.
Halo Top	Light Ice Cream	4-5g Added Sugar	Erythritol, Stevia	Low calorie, but check specific flavor for added sugar.

Final Scoop: Your Best Bet

The ultimate choice for the lowest sugar ice cream depends on your personal health goals and taste preferences. Keto-focused brands like Rebel and Keto Pint offer zero added sugar options but are higher in fat. If you prefer a lighter, lower-calorie treat, brands like Breyers NSA and Arctic Zero are strong contenders. For those with dairy sensitivities, So Delicious provides a great plant-based alternative. Always scrutinize the nutrition label to understand the total sugar, fiber, and type of sweetener used before making your final decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Brands that specifically label as zero added sugar, such as Rebel Creamery or Keto Pint, generally have the lowest total sugar content, primarily relying on non-sugar sweeteners like monk fruit and erythritol. Some non-dairy options also achieve very low sugar counts, like certain So Delicious products.

Yes, many brands cater specifically to the keto diet. You should choose options from Rebel Creamery or Keto Pint, which are formulated to be low-carb and high-fat with zero added sugar.

Many do, often using sugar alcohols (like erythritol) or other high-intensity sweeteners (like sucralose) to replace the sweetness of sugar. Always check the ingredients list to see what type of sweetener is used.

The primary cause is the use of sugar alcohols like erythritol, which can ferment in the gut and lead to gas, bloating, and other digestive discomfort, especially when consumed in larger quantities.

Not necessarily. "No Sugar Added" means no sugar was added during processing, but the product may still contain naturally occurring sugars from ingredients like milk. "Sugar-free" means it contains a minimal, often legally defined, amount of sugar.

Halo Top is a popular low-calorie and low-sugar option, but it is not always the lowest. Many flavors still contain some grams of added sugar per serving. Always check the nutrition facts for the specific flavor you are considering, as keto-specific brands often have lower overall sugar counts.

Consider your dietary goals first. If you are on a keto diet, look for keto-certified brands. If you are focused on minimal processing, consider DIY options. For general low-sugar, weigh the trade-offs between taste, texture, and potential digestive side effects of the sweeteners used, and always prioritize reading the nutrition label.