Summer is just around the corner, and what is more refreshing on a hot day than ice cream?
Nothing.
But we know that ice cream isn't the healthiest thing for us to snack on. A DQ blizzard can set you back anywhere from 350-1500 calories, and while Blizzards are absolutely worth the calories, eating them multiple times a week can impact your weight and health.
Lucky for us ice cream lovers, the past couple of years have seen amazing changes to ice cream. Many brands are working to release recipes that are low-calorie, low-sugar, and high-protein. In other words, you won't regret eating an entire pint once a week...or twice a week...or more...
Here are five "healthy" ice cream brands that I recommend for anyone looking to make their ice cream game strong! (Get it? Protein? Strength? Okay, good.)
1. Halo Top
If you haven't heard of Halo Top, you might be living under a rock. Ranging from 280 to 360 calories per pint, this ice cream is easy to love. Bonus: each pint is packed with 20 grams of protein. Post-workout snack? I think yes.
And, for my fellow dairy sensitive peeps: Halo Top makes dairy free and vegan varieties of their delicious flavors!
2. Arctic Zero
Arctic Zero's non-dairy desserts boost an impressive 150 to 300 calories per pint and 280 to 360 calories for their new light ice cream. While the texture of their non-dairy desserts is a little different than your typical ice cream, the flavors are awesome. The chunky pints are my favorite - I could probably eat a pint of Cherry Chocolate Pint every day and never get sick of it.
As for protein, Arctic Zero has about 18 grams per pint for their non-dairy flavors and 8 grams for their light ice creams.
3. Enlightened
Enlightened slays the flavor game! Marshmallow Peanut Butter, Movie Night, French Toast, Glazed Donut...so freaking delicious. Flavors range from 60 to 100 calories per serving, or 240 to 400 calories per pint. Plus, each pint packs around 24 grams of protein. Great flavors and great macros = happy ice cream lovers.
4. Breyer's Delights
At 260 to 350 calories per pint and 20 grams of protein per pint, Breyer's Delights are a delicious and smart way to binge. I think the texture and taste of this brand is one of the best in this list, and the pints are a little cheaper than some of the other low-cal ice cream pints out there.
5. Ben & Jerry's Moo-Phoria
Who doesn't love B&J? Everyone's favorite brand recently came out with Moo-Phoria Light Ice Cream, 3 flavors ranging from 140 to 160 calories per serving, or 560 to 640 calories per pint, with around 12 grams of protein per pint. While this is significantly higher than the other brands on this list, it still beats the 800 to 1,000 calories found in the original recipes.
Plus, it's Ben & Jerry's. You just can't beat those chunks and swirls. The current Moo-Phoria flavors include caramel cookie fix, P.B. Dough, and Chocolate Milk & Cookies - hopefully soon we can enjoy a pint of Half Baked or Americone Dream for less calories soon!
Whether you're looking for a new post-workout snack or just want to enjoy a lighter version of your favorite treat hopefully this list will help you while shopping! Happy ice cream eating!
