The Best Ice Cream to Eat If You're On A Diet
Life without ice cream is not worth living.
Swearing off ice cream while on a diet requires the kind of willpower we just do not possess, but there are actually several store-bought brands that are pretty diet-friendly. Whether you're eating low-calorie, dairy-free, low-sugar, or all-natural, we've found an option that can fill that cone-shaped void in your soul.
If You Need Your Chocolate Fix:
Bad day, time of the month, just another Monday night viewing of The Bachelor — when you need your chocolate fix, all diet rules go out the window. But if you don't want to sabotage yourself, stock your freezer with So Delicious's almond milk chocolate ice cream. Not only is it low-cal at 130 per serving, it's also dairy-free.
When You're Craving Birthday Cake Remix:
For those moments when you're craving the Cold Stone classic — or the ultimate party combo, cake and ice cream — go for Enlightened's Birthday Cake flavor. An entire pint is 280 calories. If you ate the same amount of Birthday Cake Remix, it'd set you back 1,520 cals. Sure, there's no brownie or hot fudge in this low sugar, high-protein dessert, but you can easily modify that.
If You're Craving A Bar:
Step away from the Klondikes — these toffee bars provide the same chocolatey crunch, but for only 70 calories per bar.
If You Gotta Have Some Ben & Jerry's:
If you tossed all your Phish Foods and Tonight Doughs when you started your New Year's resolution, you may be in luck. While the classics will still majorly derail your healthy diet (R.I.P. Half Baked), the non-dairy frozen desserts aren't a bad substitute. The chocolate fudge brownie will cost you 200 calories per serving, which is much less than the originals, and you can keep yourself on dairy-free track.
If You Want To Eat An Entire Pint:
Put a spoon into a pint of Ben & Jerry's and you could end up hanging your head in 1,000 calories of shame, but at only 150 calories for an entire pint of Arctic Zero Cake Batter ice cream, you can eat the whole thing without judging yourself hard.
When You Need Some Mint Chocolate Chip:
If mint chocolate chip is your go-to, you're in luck. You can have your fave ice cream flavor with your same old familiar brand — Edy's slow-churned ice creams are lower in calories than the classic flavors, so the mint chocolate chip at 110 calories per 1/2 cup won't knock you too far off track.
If You Want To Be All Natural:
All-natural is the diet buzzword of the moment, and it totally extends to ice cream. If you want to make sure nothing artificial is added, stick with Breyers Natural Vanilla.
If You Want A Lighted-Up Version Of A Classic:
If dairy-free, no-sugar substitutes are not your thing, we get it. Ice cream purists don't have to switch things up too much just because they're dieting. Instead, try Turkey Hill's "light" ice creams. They're the same flavors you love, just lower in fat.
When You Gotta Have That Sandwich:
Cookies and ice cream are just better together, but most versions of the classic treat are seriously offensive, calorie-wise. Thanks to Skinny Cow's 140-cal option, you can have your ice cream sandwich without sacrificing flavor.
For Everyone Who Prefers Gelato:
Talenti gelato has its own cult following, but since many pints are high in sugar and calories, they're often considered off-limits to dieters. Simply Strawberry, at 170 calories, is your most waistline-friendly bet.
If You Want Interesting Flavors:
Halo Top is the new "miracle" ice cream. Not only is it low-calorie and low in sugar, but it also packs protein (24 grams per serving!) into every pint. But the best part? You won't have to stick to boring vanillas and classic chocolates — the brand has crazy cool, ice cream parlor-worthy flavors like oatmeal cookie, red velvet, and s'mores.
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