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18 Best Healthy Ice Creams

what is a healthy alternative to ice cream

Are you looking for the healthiest ice cream in the UK? OriGym has got you covered! 

Everyone loves a cold sweet treat now and then, but healthy ice cream choices can be difficult to come across. 

We know that even once you’ve found what seems like a great option, it often doesn’t quite compete with the taste of the real stuff. But that’s why we’re here to help!

Just below, we’ve shared our reviews of the 18 most healthy ice cream brands offering healthy sweet treats that taste good too! 

Before we begin, if you’re interested in a career in health and fitness or want to become a nutritionist, why don’t you enquire about the Advanced Nutritionist courses that we offer in the UK? Otherwise, download our prospectus for further information about the accredited qualifications that we offer here at OriGym.

The Best Healthy Ice Creams

#1 - Halo Top Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Low Calorie Ice Cream

Price: £5.00

healthiest ice cream

Starting our list of healthy low calorie ice creams is this option from Halo Top. 

This is an indulgent vanilla ice cream base filled with rich chocolate chips and raw cookie dough. 

It’s super light in texture while creamy and comes in at just 360 calories for the entire tub!

This is pretty good when compared with other brands on the market, for example, a tub of Ben and Jerry’s Cookie Dough is a whopping 1350 calories.

As healthy ice creams go, this range has an impressive protein content of 19g which when paired with the low calorie content, can still help you achieve your health and fitness goals. 

There is a range of flavours online and in supermarkets such as peanut butter cup and chocolate but we think that the cookie dough is by far the best!

Plus, priced at just £5.00 per pub, you know you’re not going to have to break the bank to get an indulgent treat for a few calories. 

You can get Halo Top’s Cookie Dough from most supermarkets such as:

  • Sainsbury’s
  • Ocado
  • Tesco
  • Asda

 

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#2 - Halo Top Strawberry Cheesecake Low Calorie Ice Cream

Price: £5.00

ice cream healthy

While we’re on the topic of Halo Top, we thought it fitting to discuss their Strawberry Cheesecake flavour, perfect for those who prefer fruity ice creams.

Strawberry Cheesecake is a light strawberry base ice cream with a cinnamon biscuit swirl which adds an extra element of summery deliciousness.

With that, there are several ways that you could use Halo Top’s range.

Dollop a scoop into some fresh fruit, into a milkshake, or just on its own with a spoon - it’s such a versatile ice cream which is why we think it’s one of the best healthy low calorie ice creams out there. 

Plus, you can eat the whole tub guilt-free as it will only set you back by 360 calories! 

As with the previous option, Halo Top offers the healthiest ice cream to buy from a range of supermarkets. 

The brand has boomed in recent years which makes accessing your favourite flavours super easy. 

Why not pop a Strawberry Cheesecake into your basket during your next food shop? We’re sure that you’ll love it!

#3 - Oppo Brothers Cookies & Cream

Price: £5.00

healthiest ice cream to buy

Next up on our list of the best healthy ice creams is Oppo Brothers’ Cookies & Cream.

This is a velvety vanilla ice cream made with fresh milk and cream. This is combined with crunchy cookie pieces and a sprinkle of cocoa for extra richness.

A sweet chocolate swirl ripples throughout, offering a different texture.

Does this sound like something you’d enjoy? 

If so, you’ll be pleased to know that 100ml comes in at just 84 calories, making Oppo Brothers one of the healthiest ice cream brands on the market. 

Previous customers absolutely love this ice cream. Here is an example from a reviewer: 

“This is a delicious, creamy texture and I love the chocolate swirl all the way through. My new favourite Oppo flavour!”

So, if you’re searching for the healthiest ice creams to enjoy guilt-free, Oppo Brothers is a brand you ought to try! 

After all, the reviews speak for themselves!

#4 - Yee Kwan - Matcha Green Tea 

Price: £4.99

what is the healthiest ice cream to buy

Are you looking for a green tea ice cream that’s healthy? Well, look no further for we may have the perfect pick for you with this ice cream from Yee Kwan! 

This particular ice cream’s calorie count is, admittedly, a lot higher than some of the other ice creams on this list, with a 100ml serving containing around 516 calories. 

Still, when compared to your regular Ben & Jerry’s Cookie Dough tub of ice cream, it has close to 1,000 calories less

That same 100ml serving also contains around 2.65g of protein, so despite the slightly higher calorie count, you know that you’re getting a decent amount of protein too. 

This ice cream was made with 2% green tea matcha powder. Green tea is rich in antioxidants, healthy bioactive compounds, and may even be able to help improve your brain function, so to have a small amount of it in your ice cream is definitely a good start! 

This gluten-free, vegetarian-friendly ice cream is perfect for anyone who’s after a healthy green tea flavoured ice cream, which can be quite difficult to find in stores! 

#5 - Skinny Cow Mint Double Choc Stick

Price: £2.50

healthy mint chop chip ice cream

If healthy mint chocolate chip ice cream is what you’re looking for, this next option is for you!

Skinny Cow offers a cool mint flavoured iced dessert with a rich swirl of chocolate sauce and chocolate chip pieces. 

This is a new and improved recipe by Skinny Cow as they’re a company determined to provide their customers with the best quality ice creams to enjoy every day. 

Each ice cream stick is a mere 98 calories with just 1.5g of fat, so there’s absolutely no need to worry about your health goals not being met with Skinny Cow’s range. 

Each pack contains 3 indulgent ice creams for just £2.50 which works out slightly cheaper than other healthy ice creams on the market. 

Now, when shopping around for the healthiest ice cream to buy, reviews can help you to make a decision.

On Ocado, this healthy mint chocolate chip ice cream has an average rating of 4.1 / 5-stars which is pretty good going! 

Almost 80% of reviewers said that they’d recommend the range to a friend, so why not give it a go yourself? 

At just 98 calories per portion, what’s not to love?

#6 - Oppo - Double Salted Caramel 

Price: £4.50 

is there healthy ice cream

One of the healthiest supermarket ice cream options available today is this double salted caramel flavour by Oppo. 

You probably never thought you’d ever read the words ‘double salted caramel’ and ‘low-calorie’ in the same sentence together, but, surprise, now you have. 

It’s no mistake either, because this product only contains 178 calories per tub, making it the perfect option if you’re looking for a healthy low calorie ice cream option. 

As well as the delicious taste, it is also a great source of protein, with one 100ml serving containing around 2.5g of protein! 

This award-winning product is also free from artificial-sweeteners and has been approved by the Vegetarian Society too. 

With some reviews online saying that this tastes better than some of the higher calorie options out there, you know you’re in for a treat if you decide to go for this healthy choice of ice cream from Oppo! 

 

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#7 - Whole Creations Dairy and Gluten-Free Vanilla Mini Sticks 

Price: £4.30

best healthy ice cream

This vegan healthy ice cream is yet another top option and worth checking out if you’re shopping for free-from products. 

Whole Creations is a free-from food company that delivers healthy alternatives to classic foods to allow those with vegan and gluten-free diets the option to indulge in their favourite sweet treats.

This range of dairy and gluten-free vanilla mini sticks are made with a coconut milk base and dipped in a delicious dark ‘chocolate’ coating. 

Each stick contains just 112 calories, a lot lower than the average calorie content of a vanilla ice cream which is 273 calories. 

Plus, at just 72p per portion, this is a great way to get your ice cream fix without breaking the bank.

Since Whole Creations are a relatively new brand, you can only purchase their healthy dairy-free ice cream directly from their website. 

But, be sure to keep your eyes peeled on supermarket shelves in the coming years as we’re sure they’ll be stocked in your local store soon!

#8 - Jude’s - Low Cal Vegan Chocolate 

Price: £4.50

best healthy ice cream

As far as healthy vegan ice cream goes, it doesn’t get much better than this one from Jude’s! 

With a full tub, it contains only around 340 calories, this tub has around 30% fewer calories than similar products on the market. For that reason, this one of the best options you could go for if you’re after a healthy low calorie ice cream to incorporate into your diet! 

One 100ml serving contains around 2.5g of protein and minimal salt. In fact, if you ate the whole tub, you’d only have consumed 1g of salt, which is a sixth of your daily allowance, though we wouldn’t recommend eating the whole tub in one go, of course. 

This award-winning dessert is also available in various flavours, including the aforementioned chocolate, salted caramel, vanilla bean, and peanut butter, to name but a few. 

This vegan healthy ice cream is also relatively cheap too, with one tub only costing £3.00 in Sainsbury’s. This is a great option if you’re working on a budget and don’t want to break the bank to get a half-decent healthy alternative! 

#9 - Jude’s Vegan Cookie Dough Brownie Ice Cream

Price: £4.80

non dairy ice cream

If you’re after another one of the best non-dairy ice creams, Jude’s vegan cookie dough brownie is a must-buy. 

Jude’s Master ice cream makers and Britain’s top chefs have come together to create a truly superb dessert option for vegans. 

This carefully crafted ice cream has a coconut milk base that is super smooth and light. 

Chunks of raw plant-based cookie dough and brownies can be found within the vanilla base to add an extra element of indulgence. 

An entire tub contains just 460 calories which is made up of 4 portion sizes. This works out at a mere 115 calories per serving!

Purchasers absolutely love Jude’s range and have left some comments that we’re sure will make you want to run down to your local supermarket to get your own. 

One reviewer notes:

“Love this so much, but have to be careful buying it as I can easily end up eating nearly the whole tub! 

It’s much lower in fat and calories than Ben and Jerry’s Vegan ice cream alternative.” 

So, if you’re on the hunt for the best non-dairy ice creams, this is a range to take note of!

#10 - Arctic Zero - Classic Vanilla

Price: £5.15 

healthy vanilla ice cream

If you’re not a fan of all the different flavours we’ve had a look at so far, and you’re just looking for a healthy vanilla ice cream, then you’re in luck, as Arctic Zero might have the perfect one for you.

This vegan, keto-friendly, gluten free ice cream is incredibly healthy, and that’s thanks mainly to its low-calorie content. One serving only contains 40 calories, making this one of the lowest calorie counts on this list! 

A single serving also contains 1g of protein and no fat whatsoever, making this the perfect option for anyone shopping for a fat free ice cream that’s healthy! 

Additionally, it is dairy-free too - ideal if you’re looking for a healthy dairy free ice cream to add to your diet! 

Arctic Zero has a range of different flavours available, including chocolate, cake batter, pistachio, salted caramel, mint, and chocolate peanut butter, to name but a few. 

You wouldn’t be going wrong in giving Arctic Zero’s vanilla a try!

#11 - Oatly - Strawberry Flavour

Price: £4.50 

healthiest ice cream to buy

Whilst this vegan food brand from Sweden is more commonly associated with drinks, they also make a range of healthy ice creams including this one that comes in Strawberry flavour! 

Though it’s a little high in sugar, we wouldn’t recommend eating a whole tub in one go.

It only contains around 197 calories, which definitely puts it in the healthy category of desserts. 

It may not be very high in protein, but it is actually made with 15% real fruit, along with oats, beetroot colouring, and coconut oil, which have all been described as being high-quality ingredients by Oatly. 

As mentioned, Oatly is a vegan food brand, so there’s no surprise in finding out that this product is completely plant-based. It’s also free from lactose, soya, and milk protein. 

Oatly is relatively easy to get your hands on and is sold in supermarkets across the UK, and at £4.50, isn’t going to cost a bomb to buy. 

If you’re a fan of healthy vegan ice cream, then we highly recommend you checking out Oatly’s strawberry-flavoured dessert.

#12 - Northern Bloc - Vegan Peanut Chip

Price: £3.66 

green tea ice cream healthy

Northern Bloc’s peanut chip is yet another healthy vegan ice cream that we highly recommend you check out! 

This product doesn’t use dairy substitutes, and its highest ingredient is water, meaning that the calorie count of this particular dessert is a lot lower than some of the other options out there. 

The tub contains around 201 calories, making it a great option if you’re after a healthy low calorie ice cream.

Additionally, this dessert contains around 2.8g of protein, though unfortunately, it is rather high in sugar, so again, we don’t recommend you scoffing it all in one go! 

Due to its highest ingredient being water, this also means that this product from Northern Bloc is lower in fat too than other options out there, which is ideal if you’re after a low fat healthy ice cream option. 

As for price, it can be found for £3.66, making it a great, cheap option for anyone looking for healthier dessert options whilst working on a budget!

#13 - Doughlicious Blueberry Frozen Yoghurt

Price: £4.50

healthiest ice cream to buy

If you’re looking for a healthy blueberry ice cream, you likely know that it’s difficult to come by. 

Here we have an option that we’re sure will take your fancy - blueberry frozen yoghurt cookie dough balls. 

Doughlicious’ balls have a luxurious blueberry interior made from whole milk and fresh blueberries. 

The frozen yoghurt is then formed into balls and coated in the finest, premium-range cookie dough.  

This is a truly unique way to enjoy frozen treats and is one that doesn’t require any washing up!

Simply take the Doughlicious balls out from the freezer and leave them to melt slightly for a few minutes, and enjoy! It’s that easy. 

Each pack contains 6 cookie dough balls for £4.50 and each ball is just 100 calories. 

Doughlicious is a relatively new dessert brand and so is currently only available at Waitrose & Partners and Ocado. 

But, keep your eyes peeled for this healthy blueberry ice cream alternative as we’re sure they’ll be stocked in more supermarkets soon!

#14 - Oppo Brothers Chocolate and Hazelnut Low Calorie Ice Cream

Price: £4.50

low calorie ice cream

If you’ve ever wondered “is protein ice cream healthy?”, we hope that this next option proves to you that it definitely can be.

Oppo Brothers’ Chocolate and Hazelnut low calorie ice cream is one of their best-sellers and for perfectly good reason.

It’s crafted with a Columbian chocolate ice cream base with finely chopped and lightly toasted hazelnuts mixed throughout.

Half a tub contains just 195 calories while having an impressive protein profile of 8.1g which is far more than other healthy ice creams on the market. 

The range also won the ‘Best Taste’ award in 2019 and has glowing reviews on Ocado with an average rating of 4.5/5 stars. 

Reviewers note that the ice cream is packed full of flavour and is surprisingly rich considering the low calorie content. 

Oppo Brothers’ is definitely one of the healthiest ice cream brands on offer and this range is one we’d recommend that you get in your freezer to share with family and friends. 

#15 - Fravocado Original Coconut and Avocado Ice Cream

Price: £5.49

avocado ice cream

Fravocado is a plant-based avocado ice cream store that crafts some of the smoothest and most delicious frozen treats for vegans. 

The brand’s Original ice cream has a refreshing and clean taste while still super luxurious thanks to the coconut milk and avocado.

Fravocado’s ice creams are sweetened by using an agave syrup that is made from natural and plant-based ingredients. 

Unlike many other vegan ice creams on the market, this range is free from all allergens making it suitable for a range of diets. 

This avocado ice cream contains 177 calories per serving which is a little more than other healthy ice creams on this list.

However, avocado is naturally higher in calories and good fats and so provides the body with a plethora of fantastic nutrients that regular ice cream doesn’t. 

A 500ml tub is £5.49 which equates to a measly £1.01 per serving. You really can’t go wrong. 

So, why not give avocado ice cream a go? It might sound a little strange to begin with but creates a wonderful creaminess to ice cream that you can’t get anywhere else. 

 

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#16 - Little Moons Chocolate and Hazelnut Mochi Ice Cream

Price: £5

healthiest ice cream brand

Now, if you’re after the healthiest chocolate ice cream on the market, then look no further.

Little Moons Mochi ice cream balls are one of the most delicious yet lightweight ice creams ever made and contain just 82 calories per ball. 

The chocolate and hazelnut ice cream is wrapped in a thin layer of mochi which adds a chewy texture and an extra element of sweetness that other ice creams don’t have.

Plus, there’s no need to wash up any bowls and spoons with Little Moons! 

The brand suggests taking the balls out of the freezer 5-minutes before you want them to allow them to soften. This also helps to create a richer, more intense flavour. 

Compared with other healthy low calorie ice creams on this list, Little Moons has some of the best reviews from purchasers. 

On Ocado, the range has an average rating of 4.8/5-stars trumping all other products.

One reviewer mentions:

“If you are a fan of Mochi, chocolate, and hazelnuts you will be a fan of these. They’re my absolute favourite flavour, they taste exactly as you’d hope.”

So, if you’re searching for the healthiest chocolate ice cream, Little Moon’s chocolate and hazelnut is a must-try. 

#17 - Ice Kitchen Banana and Milk Chocolate Ice Lolly

Price: £5.00

healthy banana ice cream

Finding healthy banana ice creams can be challenging to find which is why we had to include Ice Kitchen’s range.

Everyone remembers choc-ices that were wrapped with paper that would always get soggy once the ice cream started to melt.

With that, Ice Kitchen’s healthy banana ice cream aims to transport you back to your childhood with a sweet fruity flavour, yet this time without the mess!

Each ice cream contains half a banana, whole milk, and real Belgian chocolate which adds a rich indulgence to every bite. 

1 lolly contains 111 calories, another option that can satisfy your sweet treat craving without rapidly diminishing your daily calorie allowance.

Each pack contains 3 lollies and is priced at £5.00. This works out at £1.60 which is definitely cheaper than going to the ice cream truck (and healthier!)

This is one of the best healthy ice creams on the market and one you should definitely stock into your freezer in time for warm summer days.

#18 - Asda - Low-Calorie Cookie Dough

Price: £2.50

healthiest ice cream uk

Whilst Asda may not be the first brand you think of when it comes to the healthiest ice cream brand, don’t let that put you off checking out what they have to offer! 

Asda’s own brand is easily one of the healthiest supermarket ice creams you can buy and is a worthy addition to this list. 

One tub of their peanut butter flavoured ice cream, for example, contains 177 calories, whilst their Birthday Cake flavoured option contains 196 calories. 

The cookie dough flavour comes in at just 199 calories, which whilst is more than the other two, is still an excellent number compared to many others on this list.

It also has a decent protein content too, with one 100ml serving providing you with 3.8g of protein - definitely enough to go some way to keeping you feeling full for a while. 

One of the best things about this product has to be the price. At just £2.50 per tub, not only is this a great healthy dessert option, but it's also a far more affordable option!

What Is A Healthy Alternative To Ice Cream?

When you’re looking to lose weight or find healthy alternatives to your favourite dessert, there are many options out there. 

A simple swap of replacing ice cream for frozen yoghurt is a great way of finding an alternative that is lower in fat and calories!

Another great choice is to blend frozen fruit and vegetables into a smoothie. Not only will this provide you with the same cold, smooth texture as ice cream, but it's a great way to get your 5 a day in with ease. 

What we’re trying to say is that there are tons of healthy dessert options and recipes online. Not prepared to replace ice cream with a similar sweet treat? Fortunately for you, there are a couple of healthy ice cream options out there.

What Ice Cream Is ‘Healthy’?

If you’re wondering ‘is there ice cream that’s actually healthy?’ The answer is yes! Any regular ice cream can be replaced with one of the options in our list for a sweet treat without the unnecessary calories. 

Your average tub has three main ingredients. Those are: milk, cream, and sugar. You don’t need us to tell you that cream has a pretty high fat content, and so regular ice cream is typically really high in calories.

The difference between healthy and regular ice cream is that a couple of healthy substitutions are made. Healthier ice cream brands use skimmed milk, add milk protein, and replace the sugar with erythritol - a type of sugar alcohol that contains 0 calories (compared to 4 calories per gram for regular sugar).

So, now you know that healthy ice creams exist, but what is the healthiest ice cream to buy?

Not all low calorie ice creams are ‘healthy’ as some are filled with artificial additives and sweeteners that improve the ice cream’s taste but not its nutritional value.

So for a ‘healthy’ choice ice cream, nutrition facts and ingredients should be the first thing you should look out for on the packaging!

Before You Go! 

Well, there you have it, the 18 best healthy ice creams you can find online! We hope that our list has helped you to find a new favourite flavour that won’t take you off track!

If you’re interested in working in the fitness industry, take a look at our Level 4 Advanced Courses in Nutrition (UK regulated) to see how you can turn your passion into a career!

Otherwise, download our free prospectus for further information about our courses.

Written by Zac Yeo

Fitness Content Executive, OriGym

Join Zac on Facebook at the OriGym Facebook Group

With a BA (Hons) Politics and International Relations from Kingston University and previous experience working in the finance sector, Zac’s passion for fitness brought him to OriGym, and ultimately led him to become a qualified Personal Trainer and Nutrition Specialist. With a keen interest in developing consumer trends, Zac enjoys the creation of deep, insightful content catering to new trends and has contributed to various publications including the Daily Star. Outside of work, Zac can be found watching football, either in-person supporting Charlton Athletic or virtually on Fifa.

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