It’s America’s favorite dessert, and for good reason.
Whether it’s topped with sprinkles and syrups or served alongside birthday cake or pie, it’s hard to go wrong with ice cream.
The average American consumes about 18 to 20lbs in a year – roughly four gallons or 128 half-cup scoops – and the US ice cream market adds up to more than $22 billion.
But with seemingly endless varieties to choose from in the freezer section, it can be difficult to pick a favorite – or an option that doesn’t pack on excess calories and sugar.
Not all options, however, are created equal.
‘No traditional ice cream is a health food, and that’s okay. But some of these are noticeably more balanced than others, and the “healthiest” one really depends on what someone is prioritizing,’ Kylie King, a registered dietitian and founder of Kylie King Nutrition in Los Angeles, told the Daily Mail.
‘I look at four things: serving size, added sugar, saturated fat, and the simplicity of the ingredients.’
King also noted that while ice cream serving sizes are typically 2/3 cup, most people eat closer to a cup, ‘so these numbers climb fast in real life.’
Below, King gives her verdict on America’s most popular ice creams and the healthiest choices in your local grocery store.
Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream
Nutritional information (per 2/3 cup serving size)
Calories: 220
Fat: 11g (7g saturated fat)
Total sugars: 24g (17g added sugar)
Carbohydrates: 25g
Ingredients: Milk, cream, sugar, skim milk, high fructose corn syrup, contains 1% or less of: natural and artificial flavor, cellulose gum, guar gum, carrageenan, carob bean gum, annatto extract (for color), salt
What they say: Blue Bell says its homemade vanilla ice cream is its ‘most popular ice cream, and with good reason.’ The brand states that the flavor is ‘rich, homemade-tasting vanilla flavored ice cream with a special hand-cranked flavor that’s the best in the country.’
King’s verdict: ‘This is where the ingredient list works against it. It’s moderate in calories at 220, but it’s the only one here with high fructose corn syrup, plus artificial flavor and a stack of gums and added color,’ King says.
‘When I see several sweeteners and additives layered together, it tells me the product is heavily formulated. Combine that with 17g added sugar, and it lands near the bottom for me. Fine occasionally, but it doesn’t stand out nutritionally.’
King’s score: 2/5
Edy’s Vanilla Ice Cream
Nutritional information (per 2/3 cup serving size)
Calories: 160
Fat: 6g (4g saturated fat)
Total sugars: 19g (14g added sugar)
Carbohydrates: 26g
Ingredients: Skim milk, corn syrup, sugar, whey, coconut oil, cream, guar gym, monoglycerides, natural flavor, carob bean gum, annatto color
What they say: Edy’s says its ice cream uses no artificial colors or flavors, and it is Kosher dairy certified. It also uses milk and cream from cows that were not treated with the growth hormone rBST. ‘Every scoop has been crafted to sweet nostalgic perfection so don’t forget to share the love with the whole family,’ the brand states.
King’s verdict: ‘Edy’s has a relatively moderate nutrition profile at 160 calories, 6g fat and 4g saturated fat, which is a genuine plus,’ King says.
‘The catch is the ingredient list: corn syrup, coconut oil, guar gum, monoglycerides, carob bean gum and added color make it less simple than Breyers. Coconut oil also contributes saturated fat.
‘It’s a middle-of-the-road choice: lighter than the premium brands, but with a longer ingredient list than my top pick and not as low-calorie as Halo Top.’
King’s score: 3/5
Halo Top – Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
Nutritional information (per 2/3 cup serving size)
Calories: 90
Fat: 2g (1g saturated fat)
Total sugars: 8g (4g added sugar)
Carbohydrates: 22g
Ingredients: Ultrafiltered Skim Milk*, Skim Milk, Soluble Corn Fiber, Erythritol, Cream, Sugar, Vegetable Glycerine, Contains 1% or less of Natural Flavors, Ground Vanilla Beans, Dry Egg Yolk, Cellulose Gel, Cellulose Gum, Mono and Diglycerides, Sea Salt, Inulin, Stevia Leaf Extract (Reb M), Annatto for Color, Vitamin A Palmitate. *Not an ingredient in regular ice cream
What they say: Halo Top claims its ice cream is complete ‘with a good source of protein and only 290 calories’ in the entire pint. ‘That’s why we think you can eat the whole pint. Or not,’ the brand states on its website.
King’s verdict: ‘Halo Top is the calorie-conscious pick, and that’s its advantage. At 90 calories with 2g fat and 4g added sugar, it’s very useful for calorie control when you love ice cream and have weight management goals,’ King says.
‘The tradeoff is the ingredient list. This is the most heavily formulated option here, leaning on soluble corn fiber, erythritol, glycerine, cellulose gums and inulin to mimic the texture and sweetness of traditional ice cream.
‘Those ingredients aren’t dangerous, but the added fibers and sugar alcohols can cause bloating or digestive upset for some people, especially past one serving.’
King’s score: 3/5
Van Leeuwen Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
Nutritional information (per 2/3 cup serving size)
Calories: 290
Fat: 18g (13g saturated fat)
Total sugars: 23g (18g added sugar)
Carbohydrates: 23g
Ingredients: milk, cream, cane sugar, egg yolks, vanilla extract (grain alcohol, vanilla bean), salt, vanilla bean
What they say: Van Leeuwen says its ice cream makes vanilla boring ‘no more.’ ‘We’re bringing out vanilla’s more non-vanilla-ey traits by using Tahitian vanilla beans, cold-ground whole,’ the brand states. It also has no artificial additives.
King’s verdict: ‘A beautiful, simple ingredient list: milk, cream, cane sugar, egg yolks, vanilla extract, salt and vanilla bean. From an ingredient standpoint, it’s right there with Haagen-Dazs,’ King told the Daily Mail.
‘But it’s just as rich, at 290 calories, 18g fat, 13g saturated fat and 18g added sugar. I’d call this a high-quality treat.
‘If you want a premium scoop made from recognizable ingredients, it’s excellent. If the question is which is healthiest on calories, sugar and saturated fat, it won’t top the list.’
King’s score: 3.5/5
Haagen-Dazs Vanilla Ice Cream
Nutritional information (per 2/3 cup serving size)
Calories: 320
Fat: 21g (13g saturated fat)
Total sugars: 25g (18g added sugar)
Carbohydrates: 26g
Ingredients: Cream, skim milk, cane sugar, egg yolks, vanilla extract
What they say: The brand prides its product on having five ‘simple ingredients,’ stating ‘Haagen-Dazs believes that the highest quality ingredients make the best-tasting ice cream.’ It is also Kosher dairy certified and is made with milk and cream from cows that were not treated with growth hormones.
King’s verdict: ‘This is one of the simplest ingredient lists of the group: cream, skim milk, cane sugar, egg yolks, vanilla extract. Five real ingredients, no gums, no fillers. I love that,’ King says.
‘But it’s also the richest by far at 320 calories, 21g fat, 13g saturated fat and 18g added sugar per serving.
‘This is a true indulgence, not an everyday scoop. It’s the perfect example of why “simple ingredients” and “healthiest” aren’t always the same thing.’
King’s score: 3.5/5
Breyers Original Ice Cream Natural Vanilla
Nutritional information (per 2/3 cup serving size)
Calories: 170
Fat: 9g (6g saturated fat)
Total sugars: 19g (14g added sugars)
Carbohydrates: 19g
Ingredients: Milk, Cream, Sugar, Vegetable Gum (Tara), Natural Flavor
What they say: The brand says it starts ‘with high-quality ingredients like fresh cream, 100 percent Grade A milk, and sugar and combines them with naturally sourced colors and flavors for wholesome goodness.’ The vanilla flavor is also made with ‘100 percent sustainable vanilla that is Rainforest Alliance Certified.’
King’s verdict: ‘This is my standout for overall balance,’ King told the Daily Mail. ‘A short, simple ingredient list (milk, cream, sugar, tara gum, natural flavor) paired with the most moderate numbers of any traditional option here: 170 calories, 9g fat, 6g saturated fat.
‘Tara gum is just a stabilizer and doesn’t concern me. I’d still like less added sugar at 14g, but if you want real ice cream without the calorie and saturated fat load of the premium brands, this hits the sweet spot on both fronts.’
King’s score: 4/5
King’s final ranking
1. Breyers Natural Vanilla, 4/5
‘The best of both worlds: simple ingredients and the most moderate calories and saturated fat.’
2. Haagen-Dazs, 3.5/5
‘The shortest ingredient list, but a rich, true indulgence.’
3. Van Leeuwen, 3.5/5
‘Premium, recognizable ingredients, but just as rich as Haagen-Dazs.’
4. Halo Top, 3/5
‘Best for calorie control, but the most heavily formulated and can upset digestion for sensitive individuals.’
5. Edy’s, 3/5
‘Lighter numbers, but a longer ingredient list than Breyers.6. Blue Bell, 2/5. Moderate calories, but high fructose corn syrup and the longest, most additive-heavy list.’
6. Blue Bell, 2/5
‘Moderate calories, but high fructose corn syrup and the longest, most additive-heavy list,’ King says.
Picking the ‘healthiest’ ice cream
King told the Daily Mail that the ‘healthiest’ ice cream ‘depends on your health goals and personal food philosophy.’
‘For calorie control, Halo Top makes sense. For the simplest ingredients, Haagen-Dazs or Van Leeuwen win,’ she added.
‘But for the best balance of both, Breyers comes out on top, and that’s the tub I’d reach for.’
