Tasty Low Sugar Ice Cream Sandwich Ideas and Healthy Brand Reviews

A Cool Treat That's Easy on the Sugar

Ice cream sandwiches are a fun and delicious dessert, but many traditional versions are loaded with sugar. For people looking to cut back on added sugars or follow a low sugar diet, finding healthier ice cream sandwich options can be a challenge. Thankfully, there are now plenty of tasty low sugar ice cream sandwiches on the market, featuring clever ingredient swaps and less sweet options.

What Makes an Ice Cream Sandwich High in Sugar?

A traditional ice cream sandwich is made by sandwiching a block of ice cream between two cookies or wafers. While the different components can vary, most conventional ice cream sandwiches tend to be high in added sugars for a few reasons:

• The ice cream itself is typically high in sugar, with some brands containing 20 grams or more per serving.
• Cookies and wafers also add extra sugar to the treat.
• Toppings like fudge, caramel, and chocolate syrup can pile on even more sweet stuff.

All those sugary ingredients add up fast. To create lower sugar ice cream sandwiches, companies are rethinking each element of these frozen treats.

Innovative Ways Brands Cut Sugar in Ice Cream Sandwiches

Here are some of the ways brands are reducing sugar content in ice cream sandwiches while still delivering on taste:

• Using lower sugar ice cream: Swapping in ice cream with less added sugar is one of the easiest ways to cut sugar. Look for options with 12 grams or less per serving.
• Replacing cookies with lower sugar wafers or biscuits: Subbing in options like Graham crackers or vanilla wafers can trim a few grams of sugar.
• Opting for sugar-free chocolate coatings: Skipping the extra sugar from syrupy toppings helps keep sugar counts lower.
• Developing naturally sweetened recipes: Some brands use unrefined sweeteners like honey or maple syrup to reduce reliance on added sugar.
• Featuring fruit fillings and mix-ins: Berries and other fruits infuse natural sweetness and flavor.

What to Look for When Choosing a Healthy Ice Cream Sandwich

When searching for the best low sugar ice cream sandwich for your needs, here are some helpful tips for picking a healthier option:

• Check labels and aim for 10-12 grams of sugar or less per sandwich.
• Look for types made with creamy ice milk or gelato rather than regular ice cream.
• Seek out versions with fiber-rich wafers or cookies made from whole grains.
• Look for sandwiches featuring mix-ins like cocoa nibs, nuts, or dried fruit for extra nutrition.
• Select options made with natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup when possible.
• Avoid added toppings like fudge, caramel, and candy pieces which add extra sugar.

Reviews of the Top Low Sugar Ice Cream Sandwiches

Today more and more brands offer delicious frozen treats minus all the added sugar. Here is an overview of some of the top better-for-you ice cream sandwiches worth trying:

Yasso Greek Yogurt Bars

Made with creamy Greek yogurt instead of ice cream, Yasso Bars have about half the sugar of regular ice cream sandwiches. At just 5 grams per pop, they're a substantially lower sugar option. They come in flavors like sea salt caramel and peanut butter chocolate chip.

Halo Top Ice Cream Sandwiches

Featuring Halo Top's famously low sugar ice cream, these sandwiches contain 5-7 grams of sugar depending on variety. They come in unique flavors like banana crumble, chocolate almond crunch, and lemon cake.

Breyers Delights Ice Cream Sandwiches

Breyers Delights features a line of low sugar ice cream sandwiches wrapped in chocolate wafers. With 8-12 grams of sugar each, they come in flavors like chocolate peanut butter, cookies & cream, and mint chocolate.

Nick's Ice Cream Cookie Sandwiches

Nick's makes their treats with organic grass-fed milk and cream plus organic cane sugar. Their cookie sandwiches have 9 grams of sugar and come in maple walnut, vanilla bean, and chocolate chip cookie dough flavors.

Skinny Cow Ice Cream Sandwiches

Skinny Cow is known for guilt-free ice cream treats. Their crispy wafer sandwiches have just 5 grams of sugar and fun flavors like salted caramel pretzel and chocolate peanut butter.

Enlightened Ice Cream Sammies

These portion-controlled sandwiches feature Enlightened's low sugar, high protein ice cream. With 8-10 grams of sugar and added fiber, they come in mint chocolate chip, chocolate peanut butter, and cold brew coffee flavors.

No Sugar Added Fudgsicles

For an even more bare bones option, try Popsicle brand's no sugar added fudge and vanilla ice cream sandwiched between two chocolate wafers. Each pop has just 1 gram of sugar.

Kool Katz Frozen Yogurt Sandwiches

Made with creamy frozen yogurt, these kid-friendly sandwiches are lower in sugar than typical ice cream versions. The chocolate cookie and rainbow sprinkle options have 6 grams of sugar per sandwich.

Ciao Bella Gelato Sandwiches

Swapping regular ice cream for Italian-style gelato is one trick Ciao Bella uses to cut sugar. Their gelato cookie sandwiches like chocolate hazelnut only have 5-6 grams of sugar apiece.

Outshine Fruit Bars

For a more fruity twist, try Outshine's coconut or raspberry sorbets sandwiched between crispy wafers. Both flavors are no sugar added treats made with just fruit, juice and water.

DIY Healthier Ice Cream Sandwich Ideas

In addition to store-bought options, you can also easily make healthier ice cream sandwiches at home. Get creative with combinations of low sugar cookies, reduced fat ice creams, and fresh fillings.

Cookie Bases

Try any of these lower sugar cookies or biscuits as your base:

• Graham crackers
• Fig cookies or other fruit-filled biscuits
• Animal crackers
• Vanilla wafers
• Gingersnaps
• Whole wheat chocolate chip cookies

Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt Flavors

Here are some tasty options for the filling:

• Vanilla frozen yogurt
• Strawberry sorbet
• Mango gelato
• Low sugar chocolate ice cream
• Light vanilla bean ice cream
• Nonfat lemon frozen Greek yogurt

Fun Mix-ins and Toppings

Customize your frozen sandwiches with any of these delicious add-ins:

• Fresh berries
• Banana slices
• Chopped nuts
• Shredded coconut
• Mini chocolate chips
• Crushed Graham crackers

Tips for Enjoying Low Sugar Ice Cream Sandwiches

Keep these pointers in mind for savoring healthier ice cream sandwiches without overdoing sugar, portions, or calories:

• Stick to a single sandwich as a serving. Don't go overboard on portions.
• Savor your treat slowly. Eat mindfully and enjoy each bite.
• Skip sugary toppings and syrups to keep sugar counts low.
• If opting for a smaller low sugar sandwich, pair it with fresh fruit for a more filling sweet snack.
• Select low sugar sandwiches made with nutrient-rich ingredients like Greek yogurt and dark chocolate.
• Let frozen treats soften slightly before eating so flavors shine through.

The Scoop on Healthier Ice Cream Sandwiches

Ice cream sandwiches don't have to be sugary calorie bombs to satisfy sweet cravings. The growing selection of low sugar, better-for-you options makes it easy to enjoy these fun frozen treats while sticking to healthy habits. With clever ingredient tweaks and thoughtful portions, low sugar ice cream sandwiches can be part of a balanced diet.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.