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To tackle increasing concerns over excessive sodium consumption, many ice cream brands are creating low-sodium alternatives to their most popular products. It can be difficult to know which options to choose when you’re at the store, so I have put together a list of the best low-sodium ice cream brands.
What Defines A “Low Sodium” Ice Cream?
Every ice cream brand has to state the amount of sodium in its products by law. Most brands will indicate the amount of sodium per serving on the nutrition labels of their products in milligrams.
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a product that contains 140 mg or less of sodium per cup can be labeled as ‘low sodium’. If the product contains 25% less than the standard version, it can be labeled as ‘reduced sodium.’
Regular ice cream contains 100 mg of sodium or more. Low-sodium ice cream is one that contains 80 mg or less per 2/3 cup serving. If you want to reduce your sodium intake, you should always check the labels of your favorite ice cream brands and choose those that are below this threshold.
The guidelines for ice cream sandwiches are different.
The average amount of sodium in an ice cream sandwich is between 150 and 250 mg per serving (1 sandwich), so choosing an option that contains less than 140 mg per sandwich is best if you’re looking for a low-sodium option.
Check out How Much Sodium Is A Low Sodium Diet?
Best Low-Sodium Ice Creams
The best low-sodium ice creams are:
- Wellsley Farms Premium Cookies and Cream Ice Cream
- Breyers Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream
- Häagen-Dazs Vanilla Ice Cream
- Kroger Deluxe Neapolitan Ice Cream
1. Wellsley Farms Premium Cookies and Cream Ice Cream
If you want something a little different from standard vanilla ice cream and you’re trying to cut back on your sodium intake, the Wellsley Farms Premium Cookies and Cream Ice Cream is the perfect option.
It contains almost half of the sodium content of most traditional ice cream products, with 60 mg per serving.
- Sodium per serving (2/3 cup): 60 mg
Buy at BJS here
2. Breyers Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream
Breyers offer a range of ice cream flavors, and vanilla is one of the lowest in sodium with 60 mg per serving.
It is made using whey and egg yolks, which are known to help muscle growth and repair.
- Sodium per serving (1/2 cup): 60 mg
Buy at Amazon here
3. Häagen-Dazs Vanilla Ice Cream
Although a little higher in calories than the other options on this list, the Häagen-Dazs Vanilla Ice Cream is still relatively low in sodium, with just 60 mg per 2/3 cup serving.
It provides 10% of your daily calcium needs, helping to keep your bones strong and healthy and promote healthy muscular function.
It also contains slightly more protein than most standard ice creams, with 5 grams in every serving.
- Sodium per serving (2/3 cup): 60 mg
Buy at Amazon here
4. Kroger Deluxe Neapolitan Ice Cream
The Kroger Deluxe Neapolitan Ice Cream is another great option when you’re trying to cut back on your sodium intake. It has 170 calories, 8 grams of total fat, and 80 mg per 2/3 cup serving.
This product contains 8% of your daily calcium needs and 4% of your daily potassium requirements.
- Sodium per serving (2/3 cup): 80 mg
Buy at Kroger here
Best Low-Sodium Ice Cream Bars
The best low-sodium ice cream bars are:
- My Mochi Cookies & Cream Mochi Ice Cream
- Häagen-Dazs Chocolate Dark Chocolate Ice Cream Bars
- Häagen-Dazs Vanilla Milk Chocolate Almond Ice Cream Bars
- Kroger Low Fat Fudge Bars
- Weight Watchers Giant Chocolate Fudge Low Fat Ice Cream Bars
1. My Mochi Cookies & Cream Mochi Ice Cream
The Mochi Cookies & Cream Ice Cream Bars have 110 calories and 25 mg of sodium. They’re an ideal dessert when you want something low in sodium but still delicious and indulgent.
Each bar is only 43 grams, so they’re relatively small in size but make the perfect afternoon snack or post-dinner dessert.
- Sodium per serving (1 bar): 25 mg
Buy from Amazon here
2. Häagen-Dazs Chocolate Dark Chocolate Ice Cream Bars
The Häagen-Dazs Chocolate Dark Chocolate Ice Cream Bars have a delicious blend of sweet and smooth vanilla ice cream on the inside with a crunchy dark chocolate coating. Each 88 ml bar contains 30 mg, 270 calories, and 15% of your daily iron needs.
This product is gluten-free and made with cocoa powder. Cocoa and dark chocolate contain high levels of antioxidants that help your body cope with stress and protect you from disease. One study showed that cocoa and dark chocolate have more potent antioxidant activity than blueberries and acai berries.
- Sodium per serving (1 bar): 30 mg
Buy at Amazon here
3. Häagen-Dazs Vanilla Milk Chocolate Almond Ice Cream Bars
The gluten-free Häagen-Dazs Vanilla Milk Chocolate Almond Ice Cream Bars combine vanilla ice cream, milk chocolate, and chopped almonds to provide a delicious, low-sodium dessert.
Each bar provides 8% of the recommended daily calcium intake and 6% each of your iron and vitamin A needs.
- Sodium per serving (1 bar): 40 mg
Buy at Amazon here
4. Kroger Low Fat Fudge Bars
The Kroger Low Fat Fudge Bars contain 60 calories, 14 grams of carbohydrates, and 50 mg of sodium per serving.
There is no added sugar in these 64-gram bars, and they contain just 1 gram of total fat (0.5 grams of saturated fat). There are 4 grams of protein in each bar thanks to the whey protein isolate that is included in each one.
- Sodium per serving (1 bar): 50 mg
Buy at Kroger here
5. Weight Watchers Giant Chocolate Fudge Low Fat Ice Cream Bars
With just 55 mg of sodium and 90 calories in each bar, the Weight Watchers Giant Chocolate Fudge Low Fat Ice Cream Bars are another great option when you’re trying to avoid sodium.
This product is free from artificial sugars, colors, and sweeteners.
- Sodium per serving (1 bar): 55 mg
Buy at Kroger here
Best Low Sodium Ice Cream Sandwiches
The best low sodium ice cream sandwiches are:
- Alden’s Organic Old School Vanilla Ice Cream Sandwiches
- Perry’s Vanilla Ice Cream Sandwiches
- Ice Cream Vanilla Chocolate Chip Cookie Sandwiches
1. Alden’s Organic Old School Vanilla Ice Cream Sandwiches
With 170 calories and 95 mg of sodium per sandwich, Alden’s Organic Old School Vanilla Ice Cream Sandwiches are a great option for those of you looking to reduce your sodium intake.
- Sodium per serving (1 sandwich): 95 mg
Buy at Amazon here
2. Perry’s Vanilla Ice Cream Sandwiches
Perry’s Vanilla Ice Cream Sandwiches contain 200 calories and 125 mg of sodium per serving, meaning they are below the 140 mg threshold. They are a delicious post-dinner snack that contains just 200 calories and 7 grams of total fat per bar.
- Sodium per serving (1 sandwich): 125 mg
Buy at FreshDirect here
3. Chipwich Vanilla Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches
Although higher in calories than many other options, the Chipwich Vanilla Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches are relatively low in sodium. Each sandwich has 320 calories and 135 mg of sodium and provides 10% and 4% of your daily iron and calcium requirements, respectively.
- Sodium per serving (1 sandwich): 135 mg
Buy at FreshDirect here
Should You Make Your Own Low-Sodium Ice Cream?
It’s worth making your own low-sodium ice cream if you have the time. Making homemade ice cream means that you can control the amount of sodium in your dessert and choose the healthiest and tastiest ingredients to suit your preferences.
Ice cream can be cheaper to make than to buy at the store, especially if you make it in large batches. You can buy the ingredients in bulk and make several portions of ice cream to store in the freezer for weeks of delicious desserts.
Making your own ice cream isn’t as difficult as you might first think. However, it does require a specific technique and a lot of time to get right. Ice cream needs to be churned at the right rate to prevent ice crystals from developing and to keep it soft enough to eat.
If you’ve got the time and energy to do so, it could be a great idea to try making your own homemade ice cream. If you’re ready to attempt it, try out our high-protein ice cream recipe.
This recipe doesn’t use any salt. Most of the sodium in it comes from the whey protein powder and almond milk. The entire recipe has under 180 mg of sodium, which would mean 90 mg per serving if you divide it into two.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have Ice Cream On A Low-Sodium Diet?
Yes, you can eat ice cream on a low-sodium diet by choosing a brand that offers low-sodium options. Look for one that has less than 100 mg of sodium per serving. If you’re buying ice cream sandwiches, look for ones with less than 140 mg of sodium per sandwich.
Is Ice Cream High In Sodium?
The average amount of sodium in one serving of ice cream is around 100 mg, which is similar to many other desserts.
Does Sherbet Have Sodium?
Yes, sherbet has around 40 mg of sodium per serving.
Does Gelato Have Sodium?
Yes, gelato has around 50 mg of sodium per serving.
Other Low-Sodium Foods
About The Author
Athina Crilley is a Biochemistry graduate, a qualified personal trainer, and nutrition coach. She is passionate about helping women to balance their hormones and cycle. She is the host and producer of Finding Flo podcast, which covers all things women’s health and nutrition.