You're sure to find a frozen dessert worth spooning into.
Image Credit: ArtMarie/E+/GettyImages Ice cream is the quintessential summertime sweet. After all, the average American eats 23 pounds of it — from cones and bars to sandwiches and sundaes — every single year, the International Dairy Foods Association reports.
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Fortunately, there are a lot of better-for-you options on the market, even if you're in search of something lower in fat, sugar, calories or all three. So next time you're at the freezer aisle, look to this guide to see if your favorite frozen treat would fit on this list and try some new brands below.
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What to Look for in Healthy Ice Cream
Lower in calories: Aim for 200 calories or less per serving. Low in added sugars: Look for a treat that has 15 grams or less of added sugars per serving — that translates to just under 4 teaspoons of added sugar, which is under the daily cap recommended by the American Heart Association. Built-in portion control: Ideally, dessert should come in a small package. You won’t find this with every frozen treat, of course, but it can be a helpful tool if you’re the kind of person who likes to save a dish and eat straight out of the container. A nutrition bonus: Seek out a dessert that offers up something notable when it comes to nutrition. Does it include some fruit? Is there some fiber or protein or probiotics?
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10 Healthier Frozen Treats to Buy
Yasso Poppables Visit Page https://yasso.comThese delicious, poppable bites come in several flavors for every craving. Image Credit: Yasso Per poppable: 60 calories, 3 grams fat (2.5 grams saturated fat), 15 milligrams sodium, 7 grams carbohydrates (0 grams fiber, 5 grams sugar, 4 grams added sugar), 2 grams protein
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High-protein Low-carb
These low-calorie chocolate-covered yogurt bites are exactly as their name implies — bite-sized and poppable. They’re also new to the Yasso family of frozen Greek yogurt treats and come in four different flavors: Vanilla, Chocolate, Mint, and Sea Salt Caramel, all with a tasty and crunchy outer chocolate coating. Buy it: yasso.com; Price: $56.00 (8 boxes) 2. Coconut Bliss Cups of Joy
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https://coconutbliss.com
These mini cups of joy are great because they come pre-portioned.
Image Credit: Coconut Bliss Per serving: 140-160 calories, 10-12 grams fat (9-11 grams saturated fat), 30-70 milligrams sodium, 12-15 grams carbohydrates (<1-2 grams fiber, 10 grams sugar, 8-9 grams added sugar), 1 gram protein
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Vegan Keto
Madagascan Vanilla Bean or Dark Chocolate, these single-serve plant-based, dairy-free ice cream cups are made with coconut milk and coconut syrup. Another boon: Their new packaging is oh-so-pretty and entertaining-worthy. Buy it: CoconutBliss.com; Price: $9.00 (pack of 4) 3. Klondike Wind Down & Chocolate Shake
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https://www.target.com
Bring these packable milkshakes to the beach or a picnic — just make sure to enjoy before they're liquid!
Image Credit: Target Per serving: 120 calories, 4 grams fat (3.5 grams saturated fat), 55 milligrams sodium, 20 grams carbohydrates (<1 gram fiber, 9 grams sugar, 7 grams added sugar), 3 grams protein
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Calorie-friendly
Klondike Wind Down & Chocolate Shake is a diner-style milkshake in a squeezy pack. These come nicely portion-controlled with each 4.7-ounce package, delivering only 120 calories. Not a fan of chocolate? Try the Chill Out & Vanilla Shake, which has fewer calories (and also slightly less protein). Buy it: Target.com; Price: $5.99 (pack of 6) 4. Chloe’s Oat Milk Raspberry Chip Pops
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https://go.skimresources.com
If you like oat milk in your coffee or cereal, you'll love it in frozen form.
Image Credit: FreshDirect Per popsicle: 100 calories, 2.5 grams fat (2 grams saturated fat), 20 milligrams sodium, 18 grams carbohydrates (0 grams fiber, 13 grams sugar, 12 grams added sugar), 1 gram protein
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Vegan Gluten-free Dairy-free
Oat milk-based pops are new to Chloe’s line of frozen treats and fully dairy-free. They also don’t contain any of the other top allergens. In addition to Raspberry Chip, Chloe’s has five other oat milk-based flavors, which include Chocolate Peanut Butter, Salted Caramel, Cookies & Cream, Brownie Batter and Mint Chip.
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Buy it: FreshDirect.com; Price: $9.58 (pack of 4)
Halo Top Gourmet Fudge Pops Visit Page https://go.skimresources.comYou know Halo Top for its pints, which have taken over the frozen foods section. Now you can enjoy their treats on a stick. Image Credit: InstaCart Per popsicle: 80 calories, 1.5 grams fat (1.5 grams saturated fat), 45 milligrams sodium, 12 grams carbohydrates (6 grams fiber, 6 grams sugar, 4 grams added sugar), 6 grams protein
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High-protein High-fiber Low-carb
Chocolate Fudge has the lowest calorie content of the Halo Top Pops bunch. It’s loaded with fiber (21 percent of your daily target) and 6 grams of protein. The other flavors — like Strawberry Swirl and Mint Chip — also deliver notable amounts of fiber and protein. Buy it: Instacart.com; Price: $6.56 (4 pops) 6. Wyman’s Just Fruit & Greek Yogurt Bites
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https://www.target.com
This frozen treat is basically an even more convenient version of a tasty parfait.
Image Credit: Target Per serving: 45 calories, 0 grams fat (0 grams saturated fat), 10 milligrams sodium, 10 grams carbohydrates (2 grams fiber, 7 grams sugar, 4 grams added sugar), <1 gram protein
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High-fiber Fat-free
Brought to you by the company best known for their frozen Wild Maine Blueberries, the Just Fruit & Greek Yogurt Bites are refreshing with just the right amount of sweetness. In addition to the classic Wild Blueberries flavor, Wyman’s also makes Wild Blueberries and Mangos, Wild Blueberries, Strawberries and Banana Bites, and Raspberries and Strawberries. They’re also low-calorie and portioned into single-serve cups. Really, all you need is a spoon. Buy it: Target.com; Price: $4.99 (4 cups) 7. Pro Rich Nutrition Rocket Launch
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https://www.prorichnutrition.com
The push-pop-style container makes for a mess-free snack that's fun to eat.
Image Credit: Pro Rich Nutrition Per serving: 150 calories, 5 grams fat (3 grams saturated fat), 70 milligrams sodium, 17 grams carbohydrates (3 grams fiber, 12 grams sugar, 9 grams added sugar), 10 grams protein
High-fiber High-protein
A frozen dessert with 10 grams of protein, 26 vitamins and minerals, probiotics and 3 grams fiber? It sounds too good to be true, but Pro Rich Nutrition proves it’s the real deal. The Rocket Launch flavor is a mix of coffee, caramel and chocolate chips, and supercharges you with 71 milligrams of caffeine — about the amount in a shot of espresso — deeming it perfect before the gym or as a midday snack. Other flavors include Mint Madness, Chocolate Chunk and Strawberry Sundae, so there’s something to please every palate.
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Buy it: Prorichnutrition.com; Price: $11.79 (3-pack)
Daiya Classic Vanilla Bean Bars
Visit Page https://www.target.comVegan ice cream treats have seriously improved over the years, and this Daiya Bar proves it. Image Credit: Target Per serving: 190 calories, 14 grams fat (12 grams saturated fat), 45 milligrams sodium, 17 grams carbohydrates (1 gram fiber, 13 grams sugar, 13 grams added sugar), 1 gram protein
Vegan Gluten-free
Vegans and plant-based eaters rejoice: The vegan dessert aisle is top-notch these days and Daiya helps lead the way. Daiya Dessert Bars come in delicious classics such as Classic Vanilla Bean, Chocolate Fudge Crunch and Salted Caramel Swirl. What we love most about this dessert is that it doesn’t cut corners. It’s a decadent dessert, just in a smaller portion, which is the right way to go in our book. Buy it: Target.com; Price: $4.59 (4 bars) 9. Bubbies Strawberry Mochi Ice Cream
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https://www.instacart.com
Bubbies Mochi ice cream is as cute as it is delicious.
Image Credit: InstaCart Per serving: 90 calories, 2.5 grams fat (2 grams saturated fat), 10 milligrams sodium, 15 grams carbohydrates (0 grams fiber, 10 grams sugar, 9 grams added sugar), 1 gram protein
Gluten-free Kosher
What’s great about mochi is that it has built-in portion control. And what we love about Bubbies is that it also has vegan offerings. You can choose between the two vegan flavors currently available, Chocolate and Strawberry — both are decadent and the perfect solution for any sweet craving. Buy it: Instacart.com; Price: $5.26 (6-pack) 10. Diana’s Dark Chocolate Banana Babies
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https://www.instacart.com
You can find Diana's Chocolate Banana Babies in dark chocolate or regular milk chocolate.
Image Credit: InstaCart Per serving: 130 calories, 6 grams fat (3.5 grams saturated fat), 15 milligrams sodium, 18 grams carbohydrates (1 gram fiber, 14 grams sugar, 3 grams added sugar), 2 grams protein
Gluten-free
Sure, you could make your own chocolate-dipped bananas at home but why would you when you could just buy Diana’s Bananas? Each pop is a half-banana dipped in chocolate and served on a stick. These are a naturally good source of vitamin C and potassium thanks to the banana. We like the Milk Chocolate flavor, too, and it is about the same nutrition-wise. Buy it: Instacart.com; Price: $3.99 (5-pack) Click to save these healthy ice cream brands for later!
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references
International Dairy Foods Association: "Ice Cream Sales & Trends"
American Heart Association: "How Much Sugar Is Too Much?"
Nutrition Bulletin: "Probiotics for Human Use"
references
International Dairy Foods Association: "Ice Cream Sales & Trends"
American Heart Association: "How Much Sugar Is Too Much?"
Nutrition Bulletin: "Probiotics for Human Use"
You're sure to find a frozen dessert worth spooning into.
Image Credit: ArtMarie/E+/GettyImages
Image Credit: ArtMarie/E+/GettyImages
Visit Page
https://yasso.com
These delicious, poppable bites come in several flavors for every craving.
Image Credit: Yasso
Image Credit: Yasso
Buy it: yasso.com; Price: $56.00 (8 boxes)
Visit Page
https://coconutbliss.com
These mini cups of joy are great because they come pre-portioned.
Image Credit: Coconut Bliss
Image Credit: Coconut Bliss
Buy it: CoconutBliss.com; Price: $9.00 (pack of 4)
Visit Page
https://www.target.com
Bring these packable milkshakes to the beach or a picnic — just make sure to enjoy before they're liquid!
Image Credit: Target
Image Credit: Target
Buy it: Target.com; Price: $5.99 (pack of 6)
Visit Page
https://go.skimresources.com
If you like oat milk in your coffee or cereal, you'll love it in frozen form.
Image Credit: FreshDirect
Image Credit: FreshDirect
Buy it: FreshDirect.com; Price: $9.58 (pack of 4)
You know Halo Top for its pints, which have taken over the frozen foods section. Now you can enjoy their treats on a stick.
Image Credit: InstaCart
Image Credit: InstaCart
Buy it: Instacart.com; Price: $6.56 (4 pops)
This frozen treat is basically an even more convenient version of a tasty parfait.
Image Credit: Target
Buy it: Target.com; Price: $4.99 (4 cups)
Visit Page
https://www.prorichnutrition.com
The push-pop-style container makes for a mess-free snack that's fun to eat.
Image Credit: Pro Rich Nutrition
Image Credit: Pro Rich Nutrition
Buy it: Prorichnutrition.com; Price: $11.79 (3-pack)
Vegan ice cream treats have seriously improved over the years, and this Daiya Bar proves it.
Image Credit: Target
Buy it: Target.com; Price: $4.59 (4 bars)
Visit Page
https://www.instacart.com
Bubbies Mochi ice cream is as cute as it is delicious.
Image Credit: InstaCart
Buy it: Instacart.com; Price: $5.26 (6-pack)
You can find Diana's Chocolate Banana Babies in dark chocolate or regular milk chocolate.
Image Credit: InstaCart
Buy it: Instacart.com; Price: $3.99 (5-pack)
International Dairy Foods Association: "Ice Cream Sales & Trends"
American Heart Association: "How Much Sugar Is Too Much?"
Nutrition Bulletin: "Probiotics for Human Use"
