What Ingredients Are Used to Make Halo Top Ice Cream?
The brand did a serious revamp of its recipe earlier this year in hopes of more closely mimicking the creamy texture of ice cream. According to CNN, Halo Top now uses ultra-filtered milk, which has less sugar and more protein than regular milk, rather than the skim milk it previously used. As with regular ice cream, you’ll also find cream and eggs in most varieties of Halo Top. The sweetness comes courtesy of zero-calorie stevia, sugar, and the sugar alcohol erythritol.
Mass applauds the company for choosing stevia over other sweeteners. But not everyone’s on board with the choice. Cindy H. Carroll, RD, RN, the founder of Nutrition to Fit You in Bedford, Massachusetts, calls out erythritol as a not-so-great ingredient that can wreak havoc on your gastrointestinal tract, particularly if you have stomach troubles. Erythritol is a type of sugar alcohol, which can lead to gastro issues when consumed in large doses, according to Cleveland Clinic. Sugar alcohols can also have a laxative effect.
The Most Nutritious Halo Top Flavors
Halo Top has also significantly expanded its product line over the years and now offers dairy popsicles with 100 calories or less, nondairy options made with coconut milk (which are great for vegans and those who are lactose intolerant), and a Keto Series featuring keto-friendly pints and popsicles with 5 to 10 grams (g) of net carbs per pint. Plus, it released three fruit sorbet options earlier this year.
In total, Halo Top currently offers 21 flavors of ice cream, four flavors of nondairy ice cream, three fruit sorbets, and 10 Keto pints, including classics like Chocolate, Strawberry, and Vanilla Bean, as well as more interesting flavors like Chocolate Cheesecake and Vanilla Caramel Milkshake.