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May 14, 2023

The 20 Unhealthiest Ice Cream Pints On The Market

While undeniably delicious, we (sadly) must acknowledge that ice cream isn't the

While undeniably delicious, we (sadly) must acknowledge that ice cream isn't the most nutritious dessert or snack option available to you (unless you dive into these 10 scrumptious DIY sorbets). But that doesn't mean all pints should be tarred with the same brush, as some are better choices than others when you're deciding which to scoop for your midnight snack.

From unfamiliar chemicals to added sugars, remarkable amounts of calories per serving to sky-high carb counts, it's abundantly clear that not all ice cream is created equal. Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean you should banish ice cream from your diet altogether — after all, moderation is always key. But you might want to take another glance at your pint's nutrition label before polishing the whole thing off in one sitting. To help you out, we've rounded up the 20 unhealthiest ice cream pints to watch out for on your next stroll down the frozen dessert aisle.

One of the company's most iconic flavors, Ben & Jerry's Chubby Hubby lives up to its name. Per container, each pint contains 1,400 calories, 85 grams of total fat (including a whopping 47 grams of saturated fat), 880 milligrams of sodium, 133 grams of carbohydrates, 106 grams of sugar, and 28 grams of protein.

As to which of those numbers lands Chubby Hubby a place on our list, the answer is all of them. The flavor's sodium content is one of the highest on the market, while its saturated fat content is more than three times the American Heart Association's recommended 13 grams per day. Although ice cream isn't exactly ice cream without some amount of sugar (or a lower-calorie substitute), each container of Chubby Hubby comes with 82 grams of added sugar. Even in moderation, it might be worth thinking twice before dropping this bomb on your body's overall health.

Just like peaches and cream or berry cobbler, Häagen-Dazs' Butter Pecan Ice Cream is one of those summer southern-inspired flavors that are near-impossible to resist. Unfortunately, this particular pint of one of our ultimate ice cream brands is somewhat less than nutritious — especially if you're keeping an eye on your daily carb intake. Per container, each pint of Butter Pecan consists of 990 calories, 73 total grams of fat, 280 milligrams of sodium, 68 grams of carbs, 57 total grams of sugar, and 16 grams of protein.

While it's not the unhealthiest choice in the ice cream aisle, there are plenty of reasons to think twice before devouring an entire pint of this stuff. However, we completely sympathize with the impulse to want to do so after a hard day! Along with a high carbohydrate content, Häagen-Dazs' Butter Pecan features especially high amounts of saturated fats and added sugar compared to healthier alternatives.

It's hard to beat the classic and beloved taste of vanilla ice cream and how it pairs well with generous toppings. But Ben & Jerry's super-creamy Vanilla Ice Cream is more than capable of standing on its own. However, there are some surprisingly high numbers on the seemingly-basic flavor's nutritional label that might warrant a closer look — especially since this flavor doesn't contain any extra toppings or flavor swirls in its pint. Per container, each pint of Ben & Jerry's Vanilla contains 990 calories, 64 total grams of fat, 200 milligrams of sodium, 86 grams of carbs, 85 total grams of sugar, and 17 grams of protein.

Once again, this particular pint's two biggest shortcomings are its saturated fat (42 grams) and added sugar (63 grams) contents. Unfortunately, the cream and sugar that blend together to give this flavor its irresistible creaminess and rich taste are the same culprits responsible for the less-than-ideal health stats.

Coolhaus might not be as recognizable a brand as Ben & Jerry's or Häagen-Dazs (yet), but their flavors more than compare to the big names in the ice cream industry. One of the most popular flavors is their Street Cart Churro Dough, which features swirls of chocolate flakes and delectable chunks of cinnamon sugar dough blended with brown butter ice cream. While it doesn't pack as much of a caloric punch as some other pints on this list, it's still one to watch if only for its sheer deliciousness, which will no doubt leave you craving more than a single serving.

Per container, each pint of Street Cart Churro Dough contains 830 calories, 41 total grams of fat, 450 milligrams of sodium, a jaw-dropping 106 grams of carbohydrates, 96 total grams of sugar, and 14 grams of protein. The pint's carb-content is a number to remember; after all, extremely high carb intake can lead to carbotoxicity, per a study published in the medical journal Cell.

Is there anything quite as refreshing (or energizing) as a frosty helping of coffee ice cream to beat the mid-afternoon slump in the summertime? To take it up one final notch, Ben & Jerry's Coffee Coffee BuzzBuzzBuzz Ice Cream blends in chunks of rich espresso fudge for the ultimate coffee-flavored pint. Sadly, this creamy, fudgey, pick-me-up ice cream is packing more than just caffeine and chocolate.

Per container, each pint of Ben & Jerry's Coffee Coffee BuzzBuzzBuzz ice cream contains 1,060 calories, 63 total grams of fat, 170 milligrams of sodium, 108 grams of carbs, 99 total grams of sugar, and 18 grams of protein. The most startling number on that list involves the pint's saturated fat content (44 grams, or three times the daily recommended amount) — though its carb and added sugar content are also high enough to challenge even the most decadent Starbucks order.

Clearly, America is suffering from no shortage of creative ice cream flavors. But even the most adventurous connoisseur of frozen treats can admit that it's hard to beat the classic flavors like strawberry, vanilla, chocolate, or a vanilla-chocolate twist. Thankfully, Häagen-Dazs' Chocolate Ice Cream made the ultimate example of a high-quality creamy chocolate pint of ice cream.

Per container, each pint of Häagen-Dazs' Chocolate Ice Cream contains 850 calories, 55 total grams of fat, 180 milligrams of sodium, 73 grams of carbs, 67 total grams of sugar, and 16 grams of protein. Though this pint's added sugar and saturated fat content remain too high to land it the label of healthy, it's worth noting that it is one of the lowest calorie counts on our list. Also, who are we to judge anyone for indulging in a second serving on a sweaty summer day?

Honestly, are there any flavors that complement each other quite like chocolate and peanut butter? Nope! Combine them into crafting the frozen creaminess of Häagen-Dazs' Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream and you have what could possibly be the most decadent dessert in your grocery store's frozen food section. However, there is ample reason to limit your intake of this pint.

Each container of Chocolate Peanut Butter consists of 1,190 calories, 81 total grams of fat, an incredible 525 milligrams of sodium, 95 grams of carbs, 84 total grams of sugar, and 21 grams of protein. Just about every one of those numbers is above the recommended daily amount of these nutrients. However, it's this pint's sodium levels that really earn it a place on our unhealthy list. Not only does this frozen treat contain a third of the American Heart Association's ideal daily intake of 1,500 grams, but a study published in Harvard University's medical journal, The Nutrition Source, concluded that people with high-sodium diets are 20% more likely to die from a heart attack than people who follow low-sodium diets.

Here's another pint straight out of any peanut butter lover's dream! Ben & Jerry's Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream features generous chunks of chocolate peanut butter cups swirled into a base of super-creamy peanut butter-flavored ice cream. Obviously, it wouldn't take too long to put this entire pint away. However, there's ample reason to abide by the recommended serving amount.

Each pint of Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream contains 1,390 calories, 97 total grams of fat, 520 milligrams of sodium, 112 grams of carbs, 102 total grams of sugar, and 27 grams of protein. None of those numbers are within a healthy range, but this pint's fat content (including 55 grams of saturated fat) is one of the highest on our list. Considering the number of medical studies (like one published in the journal Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism) demonstrating the negative health effects of consuming too many saturated fats, it's best to eat this one in moderation.

Blue Bunny Peanut Butter Party is yet another delectably creamy frozen peanut butter creation. At first glance, this pint might look like a healthier choice. After all, each pint contains only 750 calories, which is substantially less than some other pints on this list. But if you read further down the nutritional label, you'll find other numbers that don't quite add up to being nutritious.

Per container, each pint of Peanut Butter Party contains 45 total grams of fat, 370 milligrams of sodium, 78 grams of carbs, 56 total grams of sugar, and 13 grams of protein. Furthermore, the pint lists artificial additives such as polysorbate 80 — an emulsifier used to keep food products stable. Emsulsifier combine other ingredients in the frozen dessert that don't naturally mix so the product won't lose its desired shape or consistency. However, none of the chemicals are naturally occurring.

From its swirls of gooey marshmallows to the chopped roasted almonds and velvety chocolate ice cream, it's no wonder why Häagen-Dazs' Rocky Road Ice Cream is such a universal favorite amongst ice cream fans. But sadly, we can't recommend downing an entire pint of this deliciously creamy frozenness — based on American Heart Association's dietary recommendations.

Per pint, Häagen-Dazs' Rocky Road ice cream contains 960 calories, 55 total grams of fat, 200 milligrams of sodium, 98 grams of carbs, 79 total grams of sugar, and 17 grams of protein. On the one hand, this pint comes with some really high fat and sugar levels. But on the other hand, it doesn't contain any suspicious unnatural chemicals or additives for flavors — so it's still a good pint to buy and eat in moderation. But we wouldn't recommend eating the entire pint in one sitting.

Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream is another mouthwatering flavor with a devoted fanbase. The signature flavor features gobs of chewy cookie dough swirled into vanilla ice cream, along with a considerable heaping of chocolate chips. Sadly, this pick isn't the healthiest pint to down in a single sitting — especially when considering its added sugar content.

Each container of Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough contains 1,130 calories, 61 total grams of fat, 300 milligrams of sodium, 128 grams of carbs, 102 total grams of sugar (including 85 grams of added sugars), and 16 grams of protein. The American Heart Association recommends placing a limit on the number of added sugars in one's diet: 36 grams for men and 25 grams for women. Each pint of this flavor contains more than twice the daily recommended amount for men and triple the amount for women — placing it firmly in the "occasional treat" category.

Mint ice cream — with or without chocolate chips — is one of those flavors that you either love or hate. Some dessert lovers don't understand why others crave a minty treat. But for those of us who can't get enough of the sweet herbal flavor, Häagen-Dazs' Mint Chip Ice Cream offers the ultimate frozen treat. This pint is delightfully creamy, minty, and chocolatey.

But even as we sing its praises, we have to remember that it's on this list for a reason. Each pint of Mint Chip contains 940 calories, 60 total grams of fat, 280 milligrams of sodium, 87 grams of carbs, 75 total grams of sugar, and 15 grams of protein. Even though it's not the top offender on our list, the pint's high fat and added sugar content (as well as its plentiful carbs) make us reconsider devouring the whole thing in one night.

Of all the creative ice cream flavors we can't help but love, Ben & Jerry's Everything But The... is definitely a classic and beloved flavor from the ice cream company. The pint of ice cream features a blend (or "collision," as Ben & Jerry's put it) of rich chocolate and vanilla ice creams, swirled with peanut butter cups, fudge-covered almonds, chunks of white chocolate, and fudge-covered toffee pieces. This flavor relishes in its toppings!

Unsurprisingly, the flavor isn't — and doesn't claim to be — anywhere near something the consumer is expected to eat in one sitting. Per container, each pint of Everything But The... contains 1,250 calories, 78 total grams of fat, 300 milligrams of sodium, 121 grams of carbs, 114 total grams of sugar, and 20 grams of protein. But that's why ice cream is a treat — right?

Hopefully, after the great Blue Bell famine of 2015, we will never again have to live without ready and easy access to some of the tastiest ice cream flavors on the market. The company's Pecan Pralines 'n Cream features super-creamy vanilla ice cream blended with swirls of praline sauce and praline-coated pecans. Yes, we can confirm that this flavor tastes as appetizing as it sounds!

Per container, each pint of Pralines 'n Cream contains 750 calories, 37 total grams of fat, 300 milligrams of sodium, 92 grams of carbs, 82 total grams of sugar, and 13 grams of protein. While undoubtedly delicious, this pint clearly falls short of being healthy for the average consumer. Besides its high carb, sodium, and sugar content, it also contains several artificial colors and ingredients that even some of the "unhealthier" choices on our list manage to do without.

When you think of your typical ice cream flavors, you're probably more likely to come up with vanilla or chocolate than something like Häagen-Dazs Honey Salted Caramel Almond ice cream. But as millions of fans have discovered, the concept of honey-flavored ice cream with a touch of salt is certainly a brilliant pairing. Häagen-Dazs' Honey Salted Caramel Almond ice cream features its signature honey-flavored ice cream blended with swirls of salted caramel and toasted almonds. No wonder the company calls the flavor "the bee's knees!"

While the pint wins points for its novel flavor, its nutritional label betrays the unhealthy truth. Unfortunately, each pint of this ice cream flavor contains 950 calories, 59 total grams of fat, a whopping (and surprisingly high level of) 590 milligrams of sodium, 88 grams of carbs, 81 total grams of sugar, and 17 grams of protein.

Chocoholics really do get all the bang for their buck with this super-duper fudgy pint! Ben & Jerry's New York Super Fudge features the company's signature chocolate ice cream blended with white and dark chunks of fudge, pecans, walnuts, and fudge-covered almonds — essentially a hot fudge sundae in a pint! But as you may have guessed, all that chocolatey goodness comes with a caveat.

Per container, each pint of New York Super Fudge Chunk contains 1,240 calories, 79 total grams of fat, 210 milligrams of sodium, 118 grams of carbs, 105 total grams of sugar, and 20 grams of protein — thanks to the recipe's almonds, walnuts, and pecans. No wonder a single serving amounts to only two-thirds of a cup! While it packs a punch of flavor, its high sugar levels make this treat one to definitely eat in moderation.

The next creamy pint on our list unites the best of two ultra-popular flavors together: chocolate and coffee. Häagen-Dazs' Coffee Chocolate Brownie Ice Cream starts with the brand's classic coffee ice cream but takes this flavor up a notch by adding in generous swirls of espresso chocolate sauce, gooey chunks of brownie, and a sprinkling of cocoa nibs. But once again, you might want to reconsider going back for additional servings — as, surprise, surprise, it's not the healthiest to eat in one serving.

Per container, each pint of Coffee Chocolate Brownie contains 930 calories, 52 total grams of fat, 340 milligrams of sodium, 100 grams of carbs, 82 total grams of sugar, and 16 grams of protein. Just remember that all things can be enjoyed in moderation, even the most tempting frozen treat.

Really, how can a dessert with the words "cheesecake core" in its name not land somewhere on our unhealthiest ice cream list? That, of course, doesn't mean that it isn't mind-blowingly delicious. Ben & Jerry's Cookies and Cream Cheesecake Core consists of chocolate and cheesecake-flavored ice cream swirled with chunks of chocolate cookies around a cheesecake core.

Per each container, the pint also contains a staggering 1,040 calories, 68 total grams of fat, 400 milligrams of sodium, 111 grams of carbs, 100 total grams of sugar, and 19 grams of protein. That being said, this pint is known to make cookies and cream fans weak in the knees. So, proceed with caution ... but still enjoy if the craving hits!

Magnum Ice Cream can always be counted on for a good time. For the most part, their products fall within a relatively healthier category than some other brands on this list and beyond. But let's be real, how could something with such a delectable (and sugary-sounding) name as Double Almond Brown Butter ice cream stay low-calorie and live up to the delicious hype? While its taste is delicious, it comes with a cost.

Per container, each pint of Magnum's Double Almond Brown Butter ice cream contains 1,060 calories, 67 total grams of fat, 260 milligrams of sodium, 104 grams of carbs, 84 total grams of sugar, and 17 grams of protein. However, it must be said that the flavor absolutely meets expectations! If that weren't enough temptation, the treat comes encased in a tasty milk chocolate shell — a perfect treat for a hot summer day.

Pistachio ice cream may not be up there in popularity with chocolate or vanilla flavors. But its distinctly creamy, nutty, Mediterranean-esque flavor nevertheless has a devoted following amongst ice cream fans. Besides the velvety texture of the brand's pistachio ice cream, Ben & Jerry's Pistachio Pistachio flavor also incorporates liberal swirls of lightly roasted nuts throughout the frozen treat.

However, this particular pint also warrants a closer look at the nutritional label. Each pint contains 1,140 calories, 77 total grams of fat, 320 milligrams of sodium, 89 grams of carbs, 81 total grams of sugar, and 24 grams of protein. While its protein levels are a great match for those looking for more in their diet, we need to be weary of this high fat, carb, and sodium content, too.