Sugar-Free Breyers Ice Cream: A Keto Conundrum?

Sugar-free ice cream is a popular treat for those on a keto diet, but not all sugar-free ice creams are created equal. While Breyers No Sugar Added ice cream is a tasty option for those looking to cut down on sugar, it may not be the best choice for those following a strict keto diet. With total carbs ranging from 13g to 15.1g per 1/2 cup serving, it has more carbs than some other keto-friendly ice creams on the market. Additionally, the presence of artificial sweeteners and other questionable ingredients in Breyers Carb Smart ice cream may be a cause for concern for those looking to maintain a truly keto-friendly diet. However, for those who are simply looking to reduce their sugar intake, Breyers No Sugar Added ice cream could be a delicious and satisfying option.

Breyers No Sugar Added Ice Cream: Flavours and nutrition

Breyers No Sugar Added Ice Cream is a dessert option for those looking to cut down on sugar without compromising on taste and creaminess. The ice cream is sweetened with Splenda (sucralose), a natural sweetener derived from plants and berries, which is significantly sweeter than regular sugar.

Flavours

Breyers No Sugar Added Ice Cream comes in four mouth-watering flavours:

• Vanilla
• Vanilla Chocolate Strawberry
• Butter Pecan
• CarbSmart™ Vanilla

The Vanilla flavour is made with vanilla sourced from farms in Madagascar, in partnership with the Rainforest Alliance.

Nutrition

The ice cream is gluten-free and made with high-quality ingredients, including skim milk, cream, and natural flavours. It contains 80 calories per 1/2 cup serving, with 2g of saturated fat and 45mg of sodium.

Recipes

Breyers also provides a range of recipes to enjoy their No Sugar Added Ice Cream, such as Vanilla Peppermint Waffle Ice Cream Sandwiches, Coconut Ice Cream Snowballs, and Sweet Potato Ice Cream Pie.

Comparison to Other Breyers Products

Breyers No Sugar Added Ice Cream is a part of their 'Better For You' range, which also includes CarbSmart™ products. CarbSmart™ options tend to have a higher cream content, resulting in a richer mouthfeel and higher calories and fat content.

Keto-Friendliness

While Breyers No Sugar Added Ice Cream may be suitable for those on a keto diet due to its low-sugar content, it is important to consider the other ingredients and their impact on ketosis. The presence of sweeteners, milk, and cream may affect ketone levels, so it is advisable to review the nutritional information and consult a keto-friendly resource or a nutritionist for guidance.

Carb and calorie content

Breyers offers a range of sugar-free ice cream products, including CarbSmart, SugarSmart (also called No Sugar Added), and No Sugar Added Vanilla Chocolate Strawberry. These products are marketed towards those on a keto diet or looking to cut down on their sugar intake.

The carb and calorie content of these products varies slightly. For example, a 1/2 cup serving of vanilla CarbSmart contains 4 grams of net carbs and 130 calories, while a serving of vanilla SugarSmart has 40 fewer calories and half the fat.

The No Sugar Added Vanilla Chocolate Strawberry variety has 17 grams of total carbs and 110 calories per 2/3 cup serving. However, another source states that a 1/2 cup serving of this flavour contains 15.1 grams of total carbs and 99 calories.

Breyers Carb Smart Almond Ice Cream Bars are also an option for those looking to control their portions, with 11 grams of carbs and 150 calories per bar.

It is important to note that the carb and calorie content of these products may vary depending on the flavour and serving size. Additionally, the ingredients and sweeteners used in sugar-free ice cream can vary and may not be suitable for everyone. Some artificial sweeteners, for example, have been linked to negative health effects.

Sweeteners used

Breyers No Sugar Added Ice Cream is sweetened with Splenda (sucralose), a significant improvement in flavour over the previous Nutrasweet (aspartame) formulation. Splenda is an artificial sweetener, and while it helps keep the calorie count low, it has been shown to raise blood sugar and insulin levels, contributing to weight gain and altering gut microbes for the worst.

Other sugar-free ice cream brands use natural sweeteners such as monk fruit and stevia, or erythritol, which is a sugar alcohol. Erythritol is commonly sold under the brand name Swerve and is a popular choice for keto-friendly ice cream as it has the lowest absorption rate of all sugar alcohols.

Sugar alcohols are often used to replace sugar in "sugar-free" or "no sugar added" products. They are natural sweeteners that come from plants and berries and are much sweeter than regular sugar. Common sugar alcohols include xylitol, maltitol, and erythritol. However, they can trigger symptoms for those with IBS or other GI conditions.

Maltitol syrup is another sweetener used in Breyers No Sugar Added Ice Cream, and it is also found in Edy's No Sugar Added Ice Cream. While these products do not contain added sugar, a serving of Edy's butter pecan ice cream still contains 17 grams of net carbs, which is relatively high for a keto diet.

In summary, while Breyers No Sugar Added Ice Cream is sweetened with Splenda, other sugar-free ice cream brands tend to use natural sweeteners such as monk fruit, stevia, or erythritol. It's important to note that artificial sweeteners like Splenda may have negative health effects, and sugar alcohols can trigger digestive issues for some people.

Is it truly keto-friendly?

Breyers No Sugar Added Ice Cream is marketed as a low-carb option for those looking to cut down on their sugar intake. While it may be a good choice for people with diabetes or those watching their dental health, it's important to remember that "sugar-free" doesn't always mean healthier.

A closer look at the ingredients list reveals that while Breyers No Sugar Added Ice Cream may be low in sugar, it contains artificial sweeteners and other questionable ingredients. For example, the Carb Smart Vanilla flavour mentions having only 4 grams of sugar and 4 grams of net carbs per serving, but it includes sweeteners like maltitol syrup, soluble corn fiber, and sucralose (Splenda).

Splenda, in particular, has been associated with negative effects on health. Studies have shown that it can raise blood sugar and insulin levels, contribute to weight gain, and negatively impact gut health. These hidden sugars and artificial sweeteners can undermine your keto goals and lead to more sugar cravings.

Additionally, sugar-free ice creams often use sugar alcohols as sweeteners, such as xylitol, maltitol, and erythritol. These natural sweeteners have a much higher sweetness intensity than regular sugar and can sometimes taste overly sweet. For individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or other gastrointestinal conditions, these sugar alcohols can trigger symptoms.

When it comes to keto-friendliness, it's not just about the number of carbs or the absence of sugar. The quality of ingredients is equally important. Some keto dieters recommend subtracting all or half of the sugar alcohols listed on the nutrition label to calculate the net carbs more accurately. This can help you make a more informed decision about whether a product truly fits within your keto macros.

While Breyers No Sugar Added Ice Cream can be a tasty treat, it's important to enjoy it in moderation and be mindful of the potential impact of artificial sweeteners on your health and keto progress. Checking the ingredients list and calculating net carbs accurately will help ensure that you stay on track with your keto diet.

Other keto-friendly ice cream options

While Breyers does offer some keto-friendly ice cream options, there are several other brands that offer tasty keto-friendly treats.

One of the most popular keto-friendly ice cream brands is Halo Top, which offers a range of flavours in its Keto Series, including Chocolate Cheesecake, Peanut Butter Chocolate, Caramel Butter Pecan, and Chocolate Caramel Lava Cake. Halo Top's ice creams are low in net carbs, with only 5-10 grams per pint, and are a good source of protein.

Another great option is Rebel, an ice cream brand specifically designed for those on the keto diet. Rebel uses cream as its main ingredient, resulting in a higher fat and calorie content than some other keto-friendly brands. Rebel offers a variety of flavours, including Butter Pecan, Triple Chocolate, and Peanut Butter Fudge Swirl.

If you're looking for a dairy-free option, So Delicious offers a full line of dairy-free products, including ice cream made from full-fat coconut milk. Their No Sugar Added varieties are sweetened with a combination of erythritol and monk fruit extract, and have only negligible amounts of sugar.

For those who want a low-calorie option, Arctic Zero offers a keto-friendly, dairy-free ice cream made with plant fibres and faba bean protein. Their ice cream is free of sugar alcohols, which may be beneficial for those with digestive conditions that are triggered by sugar alcohol intake.

Finally, Enlightened offers a variety of keto-friendly ice cream options, including both low-calorie, non-keto options and keto-specific flavours. Enlightened uses allulose, sugar alcohol, and monk fruit extract to replace sugar, resulting in only 2-3 grams of net carbs per serving for most flavours.

So, whether you're looking for a creamy, indulgent treat or a low-calorie, dairy-free option, there are plenty of keto-friendly ice cream options to choose from!

Frequently asked questions