Halo Top Ice Cream Reviews - Is This Light Dessert Really Healthy?

Halo Top Ice Cream Reviews - Is It Really Healthy?

Halo Top revolutionized the ice cream industry when it launched as a low-calorie, high protein ice cream made with natural sweeteners. But is the wildly popular brand of ice cream really healthy? Let's review the pros, cons, nutrition facts and what dietitians have to say.

About the Brand

Los Angeles lawyer turned ice cream maker, Douglas Sprong was tired of having to give up desserts to watch his weight. He experimented with making reduced sugar ice cream using the natural sweetener stevia and protein to create a healthier pint you can eat straight from the carton guilt-free.

He teamed up with two friends to start an ice cream business focusing on no sugar added, non-GMO, gluten free and dairy free options made with quality ingredients.

Since hitting store shelves in 2012, Halo Top's uniquely flavored high protein, low calorie pints became the fastest selling pint in America by far, outselling top national ice cream brands. Sales continue rising thanks to strong word of mouth and over 284,000 Instagram hashtags.

Taste & Texture

One concern about low calorie desserts is that the taste suffers. But reviewers praise Halo Top's creamy, frosty texture reminiscent of regular ice cream, unlike sorbet or icy frozen yogurt.

Halo Top puts their own spin on flavors using real ingredients like vanilla beans, cocoa powder, whole nut butter, and fruit purees. Popular flavors include:

• Peanut Butter Cup
• Pancakes & Waffles
• Lemon Cake
• Chocolate Almond Crunch
• Candy Bar
• Birthday Cake
• S'mores

The stevia and erythritol used give it sweetness while preserving a rich, creamy mouthfeel. Flavor offerings keep expanding so there's always new, unique pints to try if you get bored.

Macros & Calories

A standard 1/2 cup serving of ice cream averages around 200 calories. But Halo Top's whole pint contains:

• 240-360 calories
• 20g protein
• 20-24g carbs
• 5-12g fiber
• 5-7g fat

To keep calories low with sizable servings, Halo Top doesn't use sugar. Instead they rely on protein from milk and eggs alongside fiber from chicory root to provide bulk and satisfaction.

The high volume to calorie ratio allows you to eat nearly a whole pint for under 400 calories. Compare that to 1,000+ calories for most premium ice cream pints.

Ingredients & Additives

Halo Top takes a simpler, healthier approach to ingredients:

• No sugar added
• Non-GMO
• Gluten-free with gluten free oats
• No artificial colors or flavors

Base ingredients include milk, cream, eggs and erythritol or stevia. The dairy-free coconut line uses a coconut cream base.

They forego additives and emulsifiers common in commercial ice cream, instead relying on high fat cream and egg yolks for smooth texture. This produces a rich, clean flavor.

Sugar Substitutes Used

With no sugar added, what sweetens Halo Top? The main low-calorie sweeteners used are:

• Erythritol - Naturally derived sugar alcohol with 70% sweetness of sugar
• Stevia - Extracted from stevia leaf up to 300x sweeter than sugar
• Monk fruit - Natural sweetener extracted from monk fruit
• Organic cane sugar - Some flavors use a little bit of organic cane sugar

These allow Halo Top to mimic the sweet taste without all the calories. The sweeteners may cause mild digestion upset if eaten in excess.

Dietitian Reviews

What do nutrition professionals think of Halo Top's wildly popular low calorie, high protein recipe?

Many dietitians praise Halo Top for creating a frozen dessert option that fits into any healthy eating plan, whether you're counting calories or following a special diet like Keto, Paleo or gluten-free.

They like that Halo Top took an typically indulgent food like ice cream and made it more nutritious and responsible by lowering net carbs, boosting protein, eliminating additives and using natural alternative sweeteners.

For diabetics and those conscious of sugars and carbs, Halo Top is a smart substitute for regular ice cream that still satisfies sweet cravings.

Benefits & Pros

Here's what makes Halo Top a standout:

• Significantly fewer calories than regular ice cream
• Higher protein helps fill you up
• Contains prebiotic fiber for gut health
• No artificial ingredients, colors or flavors
• Sweetened with natural alternatives to sugar
• Most flavors are dairy-free and/or vegan

Reviewers praise the flavor variety so there's always new pints to try. The brand listens to customer feedback and keeps innovating unique flavor mashups.

Downsides

While most nutritionists approve of an occasional pint of Halo Top, they warn against making it an everyday habit or overdoing portion sizes.

Potential cons include:

• Easy to overeat since it's low-calorie
• Added preservatives in some flavors
• Contains common food allergens like milk, eggs, tree nuts
• Not enough protein for post workout recovery
• Some sweeteners may cause digestion issues if over-consumed

The main concern is that the packaging supports eating the entire pint. But it's intended to substitute a small bowl, not an unlimited free-for-all. Practice moderation and stick to suggested serving sizes.

Nutrition Label

Here's a sample Halo Top dairy-free nutrition facts label:

Pay attention to calories, fat, protein, carbs and any ingredients you want to avoid if you have allergies or dietary restrictions like vegan, dairy-free or gluten-free.

Cost

Halo Top retails around $4-5 per pint making it price comparable to premium ice creams like Ben & Jerry's and Haagen Dazs. Since you get nearly double the volume for the calories, the value factor is impressive.

Occasional sales drop pints to $3-3.50 each making it more budget friendly. Signing up for their email list provides exclusive discounts and coupons as well.

Where To Buy

You can find Halo Top in the frozen dessert aisle of major grocery chains across the U.S. like Safeway, Kroger, Publix, Target, Walmart and more.

Natural food stores like Sprouts, Whole Foods and EarthFare also carry the full range of Halo Top flavors. The brand keeps expanding into more retailers and recently launched internationally.

Flavors To Try First

Since Halo Top keeps rolling out wild new flavors, deciding where to start can get overwhelming. Here are 5 popular picks to begin with:

1. Birthday Cake - Vanilla cake flavor with rainbow sprinkles
2. Peanut Butter Cup - Chocolate ice cream with peanut butter swirls
3. Pancakes & Waffles - Maple syrup flavor with pie crust pieces
4. Candy Bar - Salted caramel ice cream with chocolate crisps
5. Lemon Cake - Creamy lemon sorbet studded with cake crumbs

The Verdict on Halo Top

When enjoyed responsibly in moderation, most nutrition experts and dietitians approve of Halo Top as an innovative healthier alternative to traditional high sugar, high fat ice creams.

The brand offers unmatched flavor variety and continues innovating new daring flavor mashups for endless novelty. By re-engineering ice cream to be low sugar, high protein and responsibly portioned, Halo Top made ice cream more diet-friendly.

Be mindful of allergens present and any additives you wish to avoid. Practice moderation and stick to suggested serving sizes to keep calories in check.

Overall, Halo Top makes frozen dessert more accessible as an occasional treat, even if you follow a structured diet plan or have strict dietary needs.

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.