For a cool treat before exercise that fits your budget, compare the quantity, number of lollies and price per equivalent amount, then check the label of the product you choose. Adjust the portion to suit your workout and your tolerance: an ice lolly alone is not a sports nutrition strategy, which the INSEP and the American College of Sports Medicine both stress is individual.
You’re planning several ice-lolly breaks and have space in your freezer. The total weight and number of lollies help you compare boxes of different sizes without focusing only on the price shown on each one.
You want an easy-to-choose portion before a workout, without expecting an ice lolly to boost your performance. The timing, quantity and your tolerance matter more than any claim suggesting it’s designed for sport.
You check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact box you’re buying. Nutritional information also lets you compare sugars and fat per 100 g and, where shown, per portion.
When choosing an ice lolly before exercise, start with what matters most to you — how much you want to keep in the freezer, the size of your treat or the ingredients — then compare products on that basis. The pack size and label tell you about the product, not whether it can improve your workout.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity and cost | Compare the price per kilo, net weight and number of lollies, and make sure you have enough freezer space. | If I want to keep several ice-lolly treats in the freezer, I want to know how much the box actually contains. Around 40% of shoppers would prioritise how much they get for their budget. |
| Portion before a workout | Check the weight per lolly and the nutritional information per 100 g, then per portion if it’s shown on the pack. | Before I head out, I’d rather choose a portion that suits me than rely on the word ‘mini’. Portion size would be the top priority for around 30% of shoppers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list, allergen information and any ‘may contain’ statements for the exact product. | If a recipe may contain an ingredient I need to avoid, the flavour alone isn’t enough to help me decide. Around 30% of shoppers would put checking the label at the heart of their decision. |
Two boxes may contain different weights and numbers of lollies. The price alone doesn’t tell you how much you’re getting.
Check the price per kilo, then the net weight and number of lollies, especially if you’re choosing between a small pack and a multipack.
A smaller lolly can make it easier to choose your portion, but its size doesn’t tell you its nutritional values per 100 g. Nor does it tell you how well you’ll tolerate it just before exercise.
Compare the sugars and fat in the exact product and consider how soon your workout starts, without assuming the product offers any sporting benefit.
Depending on the recipe, an ice lolly may contain milk, nuts, soya or wheat, or carry a ‘may contain’ warning. The flavour name is no substitute for the ingredients list.
Check the information on the pack of the product you’re going to eat, even if you’ve bought a different version before.
Keeping these frozen products cold is important. Anses highlights the need to keep food at a low temperature, and the product information for Auchan vanilla lollies says not to refreeze once thawed.
Pick up frozen food at the end of your shop, keep the journey home as short as possible and follow the storage instructions on the box.
A range to consider if you’re looking for a box of chocolate and vanilla lollies to enjoy over several portions.
Two Auchan products let you compare a pack of vanilla lollies with a pack of mini vanilla and almond lollies.
The products featured by E.Leclerc include mixed selections, sorbets and chocolate-coated lollies, with options to suit different tastes and quantities.
A brand to consider if you’re specifically looking for vanilla ice cream coated in chocolate, including in a smaller format.
These ice lollies, ice-lolly sorbets and multipacks come in a range of sizes for a cool treat. To see which one suits your budget, compare the quantity with the price shown when you buy, then check the label.
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A box with several portions for anyone planning a few ice-lolly treats. The title lists 12 lollies with a total weight of 444 g. Check the box label if you need to avoid certain ingredients.
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A pack of four sorbet lollies to consider if you prefer a smaller number of portions. The total weight is 280 g. Check the ingredients and allergen information for this product before choosing.
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Eight melon lollies, each individually portioned. The listed volume is 70 ml per lolly. To compare the price per kilo with boxes measured in grams, also check the net weight on the pack.
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An assortment for anyone looking for several lollies in different flavours. The box lists 12 lollies weighing 1,200 g. Make sure you have enough freezer space and check the allergen information on the pack.
Compare the price per kilo, then the net weight and number of lollies. The first gives you a like-for-like price comparison, while the other two help you judge portion size and how much freezer space you’ll need.
No. ‘Mini’ describes a smaller portion, not its nutritional profile or any sporting benefit. Check the nutritional values per 100 g and, if shown on the box, per lolly. The INSEP and the American College of Sports Medicine stress that the type, quantity and timing of food and drink depend on the individual and the exercise.
Check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product, then look at its nutritional information. The DGCCRF says that the nutrition declaration on prepacked food includes details such as energy, fat, sugars, protein and salt.
Keep them out of the freezer for as little time as possible and follow the instructions on the box. The product information for Auchan vanilla lollies says to store them at −18 °C and not to refreeze them once thawed. Anses also stresses the importance of keeping the cold chain intact.