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Can people with diabetes eat ice cream?
People with diabetes can enjoy a variety of foods. A balanced and varied diet is one of the cornerstones of diabetes management. So when it comes to sweet treats, such as ice cream, it’s all a matter of choosing wisely and eating in moderation.
Sweets count as carbohydrates. So, when you choose to eat a sweet such as ice cream, balance it by having a smaller portion of other carbohydrates at that meal. For example, if you have ice cream for dessert, eat less bread, pasta or potatoes at lunch or dinner. A general guideline for carbohydrates is 45 to 60 grams of carbs per meal for women and 60 to 75 grams of carbs per meal for men.
Read on to learn more about ice cream options for people with diabetes.
Are there certain things to look for when buying ice cream?
The three main ingredients in ice cream are milk, cream and sugar. Stabilizers, such as gelatin or gluten, are added to help keep the mixture a consistent texture, as well as natural and artificial flavourings.
A few things to consider when buying ice cream are:
- In most cases, premium ice cream – which is processed to be richer and creamier than regular ice cream – is also higher in sugar, fat, and calories
- While low-fat or no-sugar-added products are often promoted as healthier, these choices may contain around the same number of calories as regular ice cream
- Ice cream products that claim to have “no added sugar” are often sweetened with sugar alcohols, which can cause digestive issues such as bloating and gas in some people
Overall, it’s best to choose an ice cream that has a lower fat and carbohydrate content. Also try to choose an ice cream with fewer artificial ingredients.
What are the best Canadian ice cream products and brands?
The table below shows the nutrition facts for various Canadian brands, products and flavours of regular and premium ice creams (listed by carbohydrate content, from lowest to highest). The serving size for each is ½-cup (or 1 individual product) and they contain 12 to 20 grams of carbohydrate per portion.
Use the slider at the bottom of the chart to reveal all of the columns of information.
| Brand/ Flavour |
Net carbohydrat (grams) |
Calories | Fibre (grams) | Total fat (grams) | Saturated fat (grams) | Trans fat (grams) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breyers Delight Creamy Chocolate | 12 | 70 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Halo Top Chocolate Frozen Dessert | 13 | 80 | 2 | 2.3 | 1.3 | 0 |
| Chapman’s no-sugar-added vanilla | 14 | 120 | 0 | 7 | 4 | 0.3 |
| Chapman’s Vanilla L’il Sammich (1 sammich) | 15 | 90 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0.1 |
| Nestlé Parlour Neapolitan | 17 | 110 | 0 | 3.5 | 3 | 0 |
| Metro Irresistibles pistachio |
17 | 135 | 0 | 7 | 4 | 0.2 |
| Chapman’s butterscotch ripple | 19 | 120 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 0.2 |
| Baskin-Robbins maple walnut | 19 | 140 | 0 | 9 | 4 | 2 |
Use the slider above to reveal all of the columns of information.
Other frozen dessert alternatives
Some frozen dessert alternatives (such as popsicles and frozen yogurt) have fewer calories and fat, and might also tickle your taste buds. Check out the selections in the table below (listed by carbohydrate content, from lowest to highest).
These also contain 14 to 20 grams of carbohydrate per portion.
Use the slider at the bottom of the chart to reveal all of the columns of information.
| Brand/ Flavour |
Serving size | Net carbohydrate (grams) |
Calories | Fibre (grams) | Total fat (grams) | Saturated fat (grams) | Trans fat (grams) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Del Monte Mango Frozen Fruit Bar | 1 bar, 50 mL | 13 | 50 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nestlé Parlour creamy fruit pops | 1 bar, 60 mL | 14 | 70 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Popsicle tropical paradise pops | 1 bar, 48 mL | 16 | 70 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Baskin-Robbins vanilla frozen yogurt | ½ cup | 16 | 80 | 0 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0 |
| President’s Choice Blue Menu key lime kefir smoothie bars | 1 bar, 80 mL | 16 | 90 | 0 | 1.5 | 1 | 0 |
| Compliments mixed berry frozen yogurt bars | 1 bar, 80 mL | 18 | 100 | 0 | 1.5 | 1 | 0 |
| Chapman’s cookies and cream frozen yogurt | ½ cup | 20 | 110 | 0 | 3 | 1.5 | 0 |
Use the slider above to reveal all of the columns of information.
Whatever ice cream or frozen dessert you choose, remember that you can enjoy it in moderation. If you are inclined to make your own ice cream, check out this recipe for chunky monkey. You can also check out these other tasty and healthy dessert recipes.
