Low-Calorie Ice Cream Favorites
Everyone—or everyone in New York, at least—has nutrition facts on the brain this week. The new city law forcing restaurants to post calorie counts has unwitting citizens balking at 480 calorie scones (Starbuck's), 1,590 calorie mango berry daiquiris (T.G.I. Friday's), and whopping 2,310 calorie Bloomin' Onions (Outback Steakhouse).
In an effort to prove that it is possible to savor, splurge, and indulge without sabotaging your waistline, I decided to share my top picks for low-calorie ice cream treats. Over the years I've become somewhat of a connoisseur. Because while it's important to me to fit into my skinny jeans, it's equally imperative not to skip dessert.
Häagen-Dazs Chocolate Sorbet
(1/2 cup: 130 calories, 0.5 grams of fat)
Hands down my number one favorite. The chocolate flavor is dark, complex, and, at times, almost bitter—definitely the real deal. Too often, reduced-calorie ice creams add sweeteners to make up for the lack of fat, which can lead to a saccharine-like taste. This sorbet is so smooth and creamy it's hard to believe that it’s dairy-free.
Elan Low-Fat Black Raspberry Frozen Yogurt
(1/2 cup: 130 calories, 2.5 grams of fat)
Unfortunately, élan frozen yogurt, a subsidiary of Brigham's Inc., is available only in New England. Whenever I go home to my parents' house I plow my way through at least a pint. Sweet, fruity Black Raspberry is my favorite flavor, especially when showered with chocolate sprinkles. Bordeaux Cherry Chip is pretty awesome, too.
Hood Ice Cream Sandwiches
(1 sandwich: 180 calories, 6 grams of fat)
There's no need to buy light versions of ice cream sandwiches. Don't get me wrong—I like Skinny Cow just fine (especially the cookies 'n cream)—but nothing is quite as satisfying as the kind I ate as a kid, on the sidewalk in the middle of summer. You know, the ones with the rectangular pieces of chocolate "bread" that you can peel back to reveal the jet-puffed vanilla beneath? At only 180 calories each, they're practically a health food.
Wendy's Junior Original Chocolate Frosty
(160 calories, 4 grams of fat)
Generally speaking, I'm a total snob when it comes to fast-food. I will make an exception to my "no drive-thru" rule, however, for a Wendy's Frosty. So thick you have to fight with your straw at first, they are everything a cheap chocolate milkshake should be: icy, creamy, and while not exactly fudgy, I do love that unique malted flavor.
That's my list. What low-cal frozen gems have you discovered? Here at Serious Eats we're curious to know about your favorite light ice creams!
About the author: Lucy Baker is a graduate student in the writing program at Sarah Lawrence College. Before returning to school to pursue an MFA, she was an assistant cookbook editor at HarperCollins. She lives in Brooklyn and is currently obsessed with all things fennel.
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19 Comments:
Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches are always good. The chocolate mint is heavenly.
Starbucks Frappucino bars that you can find in the grocery store have kept me sane in the summer... the mocha is the best flavor, and they're actually quite low in fat.
modysoul at 8:42AM on 04/25/08
@modysoul --- I was just about to say the exact same thing! Skinny Cow treats, and Starbucks Frappacino Bars are my go-to favorites when I need a "treat".
So, in short... what modysoul said!
Brownie at 8:51AM on 04/25/08
That Haagen Daaz Chocolate Sorbet is pretty amazing for the calorie and fat count. Also, Sharon's Passion Fruit sorbet is really amazing if you can find it. I know TJ's in Union Square has it sometimes and so does Key Food and Whole Foods (on occasion).
bitchincamero at 10:08AM on 04/25/08
i am a big fan of the edy's slow churned ice cream. particularly the mint chocolate chip and the peanut butter cup varieties. it has a consistency and mouthfeel similar to non-premium full-fat ice cream, but is around 150 calories and 4-5 grams of fat per half cup.
mickeymets at 10:56AM on 04/25/08
Though I never doubted the calorie counts of margaritas/daquiris, the thought of having 2 or 3 (3000+ calories) kinda puts a damper on my Friday night happy hour plans.
Skinny cow has gotta be my favorite as well.
sharsd at 11:09AM on 04/25/08
I know I talk about Weight Watchers a lot, but I can't say enough good things about their Giant Fudge Bars. They are only 1 point each (not sure of the calorie count, but it must be LOW) and huge! They don't taste artificial at all, either.
kll205 at 11:45AM on 04/25/08
i love getting italian ices...there's a great neighborhood institution around the corner from my apartment and while i can't attest for calorie counts, the "water ices" (as opposed to the "creme ices" and the insanely thick ice cream) are fat-free and always satisfy my craving for a cold & sweet & refreshing treat.
billyburgwife at 11:48AM on 04/25/08
I'll second the vote for the slow-churned or double-churned ice cream. It doesn't taste or feel like reduced fat or calorie ice cream. At one point Edy's made slow-churned Samoa ice cream. It was so good. I haven't been able to find it in two years.
The nice thing about skinny cow is that the ice cream sandwiches also control your portion. I've been known to occasionally scoop more than the serving size when I get it out of the carton.
Periodically, I also like the no sugar added fudge pops, not because they're actually good, but they're cold and sweet. Sometimes I guess that's all it takes.
blackolive at 12:29PM on 04/25/08
I've been eating Tofutti Cuties and mochi ice cream but have recently discovered Trader Joe's Soy Creamy Orange Vanilla Bars. I love creamsicles and these are only 80 calories a bar. I can eat two guilt-free!
spros at 12:41PM on 04/25/08
Stonyfield Farm's frozen yoghurt is about 100 calories per half cup. I've only tried the vanilla, but I like it much better than I like their regular, non-frozen yoghurt.
platoeatssouls at 1:09PM on 04/25/08
In the heat of July, I make homemade peach-mint sorbet with the peaches from local producers and mint from the yard. Fat-free and oh-so summery.
Mizbee at 1:24PM on 04/25/08
I also love the Edy's Slow Churned, but make sure to read the labels---some of them contain partially hydrogenated oils, i.e. nasty trans fats. Breyer's Light Ice Cream is a good alternative, and the strawberry is delicious!
nosillak at 2:15PM on 04/25/08
Another fan of Edy's Slow Churned.
wookie at 3:03PM on 04/25/08
ditto to Edy's Slow Churned and stonyfield farms fro-yo, I'm a fan of their Javalanche flavor. It was a staple pick-me-up in college.
pearltellszoe at 3:29PM on 04/25/08
I love Turkey Hill lowcal ice cream - there's one with chocolate and cherry....mmmmm....
I also dig Chapman's lowfat frozen yogurt. The vanilla and the chocolate come in at under 100 cal per half-cup, and they're very creamy.
piccola at 9:50PM on 04/25/08
Watch Dreyer's or Edy's Slow Churned or other low calorie ice creams. They usually use empty carbs to fill in for the lower fat. Much better to eat a small amount of regular....very slowly. Or better yet, Skinny Cow doesn't use fillers, and sorbet doesn't need any.....it's tasty as is! :)
amanda0730 at 10:10PM on 04/25/08
I know you're all gonna hate me for this but I'm on a very restricted calorie count (lost 40 lbs) and I've found the no sugar added Fudgesicles for 40 cal. per serving. It's not premium but it sure does take the edge off.
bessfour at 5:27PM on 05/06/08
Thanks for sharing. Ice cream is one of my weaknesses. It's hard to eat on the road especially when you have dietary needs or want to watch your calorie intake. I wanted to share a new service my company just launched called ‘Wellternatives’ that lets people find nutrition info for thousands of chain restaurants – right from their cell phone or on the web. It also makes recommendations for a healthier alternative to your favorite restaurant meals, hence the name… Wellternatives. Check out how many calories are in Haagen-Dazes ice cream! Would love to hear what you think of it! Maija
wellsphere at 12:40PM on 05/07/08
I'm probably in the minority here, but I love the Tofutti Fudge pops. Fat free, 30 cals and 1 g fibre each.
jo_jo_ba at 8:03PM on 06/22/08