For a snack on a bike ride, choose something that isn’t frozen rather than an ice lolly, which needs to be kept cold. If you fancy an ice cream after your ride, compare the portion size, nutritional information and allergens for the exact recipe. Neither format is, by itself, a suitable option for fuelling a bike ride.
You’re planning to enjoy a cold treat once you’re home, rather than take it with you on your bike. The DGCCRF reminds consumers that the cold chain must also be maintained while food is being transported.
You’d rather choose an ice lolly from a box than serve yourself an undefined amount of ice cream. Pack sizes and the size of individual lollies vary, so check both before you buy.
If certain ingredients or allergens matter to you, read the label for the specific product. The vanilla and chocolate ice lollies described by Auchan, for example, contain milk. Other ingredients and ‘may contain’ warnings depend on the recipe.
First, decide whether you need something to take with you on your ride or an ice cream to enjoy afterwards. For the latter, compare portion sizes and ingredients, without assuming that one recipe is better suited to cycling than another.
| What to consider | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| When you’ll eat it | Storage instructions and whether you can keep it cold until you’re ready to eat it. | If I need to eat while cycling, an ice cream that has to stay frozen won’t meet my needs on the go. Around 46% of consumers put this question of on-ride fuelling first. |
| Portion size | The number of lollies, their weight or volume, and then the nutritional values for the portion you’ll actually eat. | After my ride, I want to choose a portion whose size I know, without confusing the contents of the box with those of a single lolly. This is a priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | The ingredients and allergen information for the exact recipe, as well as the sugars and fat listed on the label. | Before choosing a flavour, I need to check that it suits my dietary requirements and read its nutritional information. For around 18% of consumers, this is the top priority. |
INSEP describes carbohydrates as fuel for the body during exercise, but that doesn’t make an ice lolly practical to carry. The DGCCRF reminds consumers that the cold chain also needs to be maintained on the journey home after buying food.
If you plan to eat while cycling, choose a snack that isn’t frozen. Save the ice lolly for a time when you can keep it cold as required.
Two boxes can contain lollies of different sizes. So a value given per 100 g or 100 ml won’t necessarily tell you how much you’ll consume in a single lolly.
First compare the nutritional information on the same basis, then check the weight or volume of the portion you’ll actually eat.
The vanilla and chocolate recipes described in Auchan and Magnum product listings contain milk, with other allergens or ‘may contain’ warnings depending on the product. A flavour name alone isn’t enough to establish what’s in it.
Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the exact packaging, particularly if you’re choosing a different recipe or pack size.
Auchan’s listing for Magnum Classic describes vanilla ice cream coated in milk chocolate, sold as four 100 ml portions.
The selection described by Auchan includes twelve vanilla and chocolate ice lollies in a 450 g box.
Carrefour’s ice cream range includes classic ice lollies, mini versions and ice cream bars in a variety of pack sizes.
ALDI France includes a box of twelve Mucci chocolate mini ice lollies in its range.
These products are individual frozen treats to enjoy after your ride, provided you have access to a freezer. The selection includes ice lollies, a sorbet on a stick and individually portioned ice creams. If you’re specifically looking for an ice lolly, check the format of the latter products.
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Worth considering as an individual frozen treat after your ride, if you can keep it frozen until you’re ready to enjoy it.
The box contains eight 70 ml ice lollies. The product listing includes milk among the ingredients, so check the label on the product you buy if this matters to you.
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This vanilla, white chocolate and almond recipe is best enjoyed after your ride if you can keep it cold. It’s different from the Magnum Classic described above.
The box contains four 100 ml ice lollies. The listing notes that it contains milk and almonds, and may contain traces of other nuts. The nutritional values per 100 g don’t tell you the amount per lolly unless you also know its weight.
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This sorbet on a stick is one to enjoy after your ride rather than take with you on your bike.
The pack contains four pieces weighing 280 g in total. The listing says the product is made in a facility that also handles milk, nuts, soya, peanuts and gluten. Check the packaging information if any of these are a concern for you.
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These individual frozen treats are best enjoyed somewhere you can keep them cold. If you specifically want an ice lolly on a stick, check the shape of each piece before buying.
The pack contains twelve pieces weighing 444 g in total. The listing notes that the product may contain traces of gluten, peanuts, soya, milk and nuts. Check the packaging if you need to avoid any of these ingredients.
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This multipack of ice lollies lets you choose from several flavours after your ride, as long as you keep them in the freezer.
The pack contains twelve pieces in five flavours, with a total weight of 1 200 g. To find out the size of the portion you’ll actually eat and check the allergens, read the label for your chosen flavour.
It’s not a practical choice for fuelling up while you ride, as you need to keep it cold. The DGCCRF reminds consumers that the cold chain must also be maintained during transport. For a snack on your ride, choose something that isn’t frozen instead.
First compare their nutritional information on the same basis, per 100 g or per 100 ml, then check the weight or volume of the piece you’ll eat. In France, the DGCCRF says that the nutrition declaration for most prepacked foods includes fat, sugars, protein and salt, among other things.
Check the information for the exact product and flavour, rather than making assumptions based on the brand. The recipes described by Auchan and Magnum contain milk. Depending on the product, the information may also mention hazelnuts, soya or possible traces of other nuts.
Keep them out of the freezer for as little time as possible and follow the storage temperature shown on the packaging. The DGCCRF recommends maintaining the cold chain during transport. For its Magnum Classic product, Auchan’s listing says to store at −18 °C.