High Protein & Low Calorie Ice Creams: Hype or Hope? Studio Taste Test

Do you ever crave ice cream but worry about the calories? We all know the feeling! Many new high protein and low-calorie ice creams promise guilt-free indulgence, but do they live up to the hype?

Inspired by countless Weight Watchers Connect posts about Halo Top, we explored the world of healthier ice cream options. We set out to find plain chocolate flavors for a fair comparison, but some brands, like Kroger's Simple Truth Low Cow Chocolate, lacked this option. Our test subjects included Ben & Jerry's Moo-phoria Chocolate Milk & Cookies, Enlightened Chocolate Peanut Butter, Breyer's Delights Creamy Chocolate, Halo Top Dairy Free Chocolate (unintentional vegan option!), and Simple Truth Low Cow Chocolate.

While including the Dairy Free Halo Top might not be ideal for a scientific test, we decided to review it anyway. After all, real people make mistakes, and we're here to share our honest experience, not just scientific data!

Can Low-Calorie Ice Creams Satisfy Your Cravings? A Taste Test

#5 Halo Top Dairy Free Chocolate

70 Calories per 1/2 Cup, 280 Calories per pint, 3 WW Points per serving, $3.82 — 70 Calories per 1/2 Cup, 280 Calories per pint, **3 WW Points** per serving, $3.82

Halo Top Dairy Free Chocolate: While coconut milk forms the base of this vegan option, the strong coconut flavor might not be everyone's preference. Testers found the bitterness overpowering and the chocolate notes somewhat artificial. Compared to traditional ice cream, the texture may also be different.

It's important to note: We unintentionally included this dairy-free option, making a direct comparison to the other ice creams less accurate. We recommend trying Halo Top's regular chocolate flavor for a more representative experience of their products.

#4 Enlightened Chocolate Peanut butter

100 Calories per 1/2 Cup, 400 Calories per pint, 3 WW Points per serving, $5.89 — 100 Calories per 1/2 Cup, 400 Calories per pint, **3 WW Points** per serving, $5.89

Enlightened Chocolate Peanut Butter: This option boasted a silky, pudding-like texture that appealed to most testers. However, a subtle bitterness similar to Halo Top's was noted, possibly linked to the added protein. Despite generous swirls of nutty peanut butter, some found the overall flavor lacked sweetness, tipping the balance towards bitterness. While not unpleasant, its high price point didn't justify the taste experience for our team.

#3 Breyer’s Delights Creamy Chocolate

90 Calories per 1/2 Cup, 270 Calories per pint, 2 WW Points per serving, $4.49 — 90 Calories per 1/2 Cup, 270 Calories per pint, **2 WW Points** per serving, $4.49

Breyer's Delights Creamy Chocolate: This low-calorie option offered a unique, whipped texture that some might find intriguing, while others described it as spongy or bubbly. However, its rapid melting makes it less ideal for cones. The flavor profile presented a challenge, with testers noting an unpleasant chalky aftertaste that fell short of expectations based on the Breyer's brand reputation. While the calorie count is certainly attractive, the flavor profile might not satisfy classic chocolate ice cream cravings.

#2 Ben & Jerry’s Moo-phoria Chocolate Milk & Cookies

140 Calories per 1/2 Cup, 560 Calories per pint, 6 WW Points per serving, $4.99 — 140 Calories per 1/2 Cup, 560 Calories per pint, **6 WW Points** per serving, $4.99

Ben & Jerry's Moo-phoria Chocolate Milk & Cookies: Standing out from the pack, this option garnered praise for its resemblance to traditional ice cream, perhaps due to its higher calorie count compared to the others. Testers appreciated the creamy texture and the chunky, delicious cookie pieces that added textural contrast. While a subtle aftertaste of artificial sweetener emerged after consumption, the overall experience impressed the team enough to encourage them to explore other Moo-phoria flavors.

#1 Simple Truth Low Cow Chocolate Milk & Cookies

60 Calories per 1/2 Cup, 240 Calories per pint, 2 WW Points per serving, $3.49 — 60 Calories per 1/2 Cup, 240 Calories per pint, **2 WW Points** per serving, $3.49

This unexpected winner impressed our taste testers with its combination of affordability and low calorie count. Many admitted they wouldn't have chosen this brand without the taste test.

What stood out:

Smooth and rich texture: This ice cream lacked the artificial aftertaste or chalkiness often associated with low-calorie options.
Real chocolate flavor: Testers agreed it delivered a satisfying and realistic chocolate taste.
Realistic ice cream texture: The consistency closely resembled traditional ice cream.

Overall: Simple Truth Low Cow Chocolate surprised everyone with its delicious flavor and quality, proving that "diet" ice cream doesn't have to compromise on taste. This experience has certainly piqued our interest in exploring other Simple Truth flavors, including: Vanilla, Sea Salt Caramel, Mint Chocolate Chip, Birthday Cake, and Lemon Cake.