Best Ice Cream to Have on Low-Carb Diet

Ice cream can pose a problem when you're trying to watch the amount of carbohydrates in your diet. Many ice cream varieties are loaded with sugars, carbohydrates and high-sugar mix-ins such as chocolate, cookies or caramel. However, there are also numerous ice creams and frozen desserts that offer people watching their carb intake a way to still enjoy this delicious treat.

A couple is eating ice cream together. (Image: Rayes/Digital Vision/Getty Images)

Net Carbs and Sugar Alcohols

Net carbs are often promoted on low-carb products and foods. Net carbs are calculated by subtracting the grams of fiber and sugar alcohols from the total grams of carbohydrates a food contains. Fiber and sugar alcohols do not significantly affect blood sugar levels, and therefore they are not included in the total amount of carbs. Sugar alcohols are lower-calorie alternatives to sugar and are commonly used in low-carb products. While sugar alcohols do lower the grams of carbs and sugar a food contains, they can also have a laxative effect or cause other gastrointestinal discomfort for some people.

Breyers CarbSmart

Breyers' CarbSmart line of ice cream and frozen desserts is designed specifically for those watching their carbohydrate intake. Breyers offers both a vanilla- and chocolate-flavored ice cream with 120 calories, 4 grams of net carbs and 4 grams of sugar per 1/2-cup serving. The CarbSmart line also includes three ice cream bars: vanilla & almond, chocolate fudge or vanilla. Each ice cream bar contains 100 to 190 calories, 3 to 6 grams of net carbs and 4 to 6 grams of sugar.

Blue Bunny No Sugar Added

Blue Bunny offers 11 different flavors of no-sugar-added ice cream. Each 1/2 cup provides between 80 and 100 calories, 10 to 12 grams of net carbs and 5 to 6 grams of sugar. Blue Bunny additionally carries 11 varieties of ice cream bars, cones and sandwiches. Each serving of these ice cream novelties contains between 70 and 190 calories, 2 to 13 grams of net carbs and 2 to 8 grams of sugar.

Edy's No Sugar Added

The Edy's brand offers seven flavors of no-sugar-added ice creams in their slow-churned line. Each 1/2 cup contains between 90 and 120 calories, 12 to 15 grams of net carbs and 3 grams of sugar. In comparison, 1/2 cup of Edy's regular vanilla slow-churned ice cream contains 100 calories, 15 grams of carbohydrates and 12 grams of sugar.