Top 5 Low-Carb Ice Cream Options
Low-carb ice cream has come a long way and no longer has that funky “diet” ice cream taste; here are some of the best options for people with diabetes
The number of low-carb ice cream options in today’s grocery stores is pretty awesome. Just a decade ago, the options were few and far between and tasted like funky “diet” ice cream.
These newer options are creatively designed with ingredients that pack in better flavor, better texture, and sweetness without that chemical aftertaste of old-school sweeteners like aspartame.
In no particular order, here are 5 great low-carb options worth tasting! I picked chocolate since it’s my favorite!
Halo Top
Calories: 320 per pint
Carbohydrates (after subtracting fiber/sugar alcohols): 24 grams per pint
Protein: 20 grams per pint
Fat: 10 grams per pint
Ingredients: Skim milk, eggs, erythritol, cream, organic cane sugar, milk protein concentrate, high-fat cocoa, vegetable glycerin, prebiotic fiber, sea salt, organic carob gum, organic guar gum, organic stevia leaf extract.
Review: This is a protein-packed low-carb option that is full of chocolate flavor. The texture of Halo Top can be a little strange at first — it reminds me, at first, of the ice cream astronauts eat — but once it softens up and you’re eagerly shoveling that 4th spoonful into your mouth, you’ll just be enjoying the flavor! It’s also relatively low-fat and low-carb if you want to enjoy an entire pint of ice cream. And eating the whole pint is easy. (And my favorite flavor, by the way, is Pistachio.)
Breyers CarbSmart
Calories: 360 per pint
Carbohydrates (after subtracting fiber/sugar alcohols): 24 grams per pint
Protein: 8 grams per pint
Fat: 20 grams per pint
Ingredients: Milk, Cream, Sorbitol, Maltodextrin (Corn), Dutched Cocoa (Processed with Alkali), Less than 2% of Glycerin, Whey, Mono and Diglycerides, Vegetable Gums (Guar, Carob Bean), Salt, Acesulfame Potassium, Sucralose, Natural Flavor.
Review: This ice cream looks and feels pretty darn close to normal Breyer ice cream. It’s sweetened with sucralose (the same ingredient in Splenda), so there is a bit of a different flavor as a result. Compared to Halo Top, Breyer’s CarbSmart feels more like “diet” ice cream simply because of the fake sugar taste from sucralose. It’s also very high in fat — something to keep in mind if you also eat a high-carb diet. But if you’re looking for something with the texture of more traditional ice cream, this is worth trying.
Rebel
Calories: 600 per pint
Carbohydrates (after subtracting fiber/sugar alcohols): 1 gram per pint
Protein: 8 grams per pint
Fat: 56 grams per pint
Ingredients: Cream, Water, Erythritol, Chicory Root Fiber, Dutched Cocoa, Egg Yolks, Milk Protein Isolate, Vegetable Glycerin, Peruvian Carob Gum, Guar Gum, Monk Fruit.
Review: This option is definitely the lowest in carbs with only one gram, but it’s also significantly higher in fat. Remember that this ice will still impact your blood sugar because of the mega quantity of fat. It also packs twice as many calories because of that fat quantity. Oh…but you know what makes ice cream taste really great? Fat. And this one has got a lot of fat. If you’re in it for the flavor, and you already eat a high-fat / low-carb diet, you’ll love Rebel.
SoDelicious
Calories: 390 per pint
Carbohydrates (after subtracting fiber/sugar alcohols): 30 grams per pint
Protein: 6 grams per pint
Fat: 27 grams per pint
Ingredients: Organic Coconut Milk (Filtered Water, Organic Coconut Cream), Chicory Root Extract, Acacia Gum, Erythritol, Cocoa (processed With Alkali), Vegetable Glycerin, Guar Gum, Pea Protein, Sea Salt, Monk Fruit Extract, Locust Bean Gum, Natural Flavor.
Review: First of all, this one is vegan! If you’re a vegan or trying to cut back on your dairy intake, SoDelicious offers a variety of low-carb ice creams. Do keep in mind that the fat and carbohydrate content are both pretty darn high. You’ll enjoy this brand of low-carb ice cream if you’re ready for the clear change in taste that comes with coconut, almond, or coconut milk. It’s still so delicious but it’s definitely different from the dairy-full options.
Enlightened
Calories: 280 per pint
Carbohydrates (after subtracting fiber/sugar alcohols): 16 grams per pint
Protein: 24 grams per pint
Fat: 8 grams per pint
Ingredients: Skim Milk, Milk Protein Concentrate, Erythritol (Natural Sweetener), Non-GMO Soluble Corn Fiber, Dutched Cocoa, Tapioca Syrup, Cream, Vegetable Glycerin, Natural Flavor, Carob Gum, Guar Gum, Mono & Diglycerides, Monk Fruit Extract.
Review: Enlightened ice cream is very similar in texture to Halo Top but with fewer carbs, fewer calories, and a little less of the awesome flavor. It does taste good but the flavors aren’t nearly as kapow delicious as Halo Top. It’s hard not to compare them because they look and feel so similar. In terms of lightness, Enlightened is a great option since it’s low in carbs and fat. Give it a scoop and see what you think!