If you’re looking for a “sugar-free” ice lolly, don’t confuse it with a “no added sugars” product: the latter may still contain sugars that occur naturally in fruit. Compare the sugars per 100 g and per lolly, check the allergens, and only plan to have one after exercise if you can keep it frozen until you’re ready to eat it.
You’re looking for a very low sugar content, not simply a recipe with no added sugar. According to the National Consumer Institute, the “sugar-free” claim means a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g or 100 ml.
You’re happy to have sugars that occur naturally in fruit, but want to compare recipes with no added sugars. Check the “of which sugars” figure per 100 g and the amount per lolly.
You’re thinking of having an ice lolly after your workout. Check how to keep it frozen during your journey: the product pages for the Auchan and Picard products featured here say they should be stored at −18 °C and must not be refrozen once thawed.
First decide whether your priority is the “sugar-free” threshold or no added sugars. Then consider the portion size and how you’ll transport it.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| “Sugar-free” claim | According to the National Consumer Institute, this claim means no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g or 100 ml. Check the exact wording on the product and the “of which sugars” figure. | If I’m looking for a strict limit, a recipe that is only “no added sugars” won’t meet my needs. Around 46% of consumers would put this threshold first. |
| Recipe with no added sugars | Compare the sugars per 100 g, then per portion. Also check the ingredients list for the recipe you’re considering. | I’m happy to have sugars from fruit, but want to know how much is in my lolly before choosing one. No added sugars would be the priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Transporting frozen food | Check the storage temperature and instructions about refreezing on the packaging. Plan a journey that will keep the product frozen. | If my snack has to wait until the end of my journey, I need to be able to store it properly before eating it. This would be the top priority for around 18% of consumers. |
The National Consumer Institute sets the threshold for the “sugar-free” claim at 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g or 100 ml. According to their product pages, the fruit recipes from Picard and Auchan featured here contain between 8.7 and 19 g of sugars per 100 g.
If you’re specifically looking for a sugar-free product, check the claim and nutrition information for the exact recipe.
The portions aren’t all the same size: the Picard product page lists 45 g lollies, compared with 60 g for the Auchan products mentioned. So the amount per lolly isn’t enough to compare recipes on a like-for-like basis.
Start by comparing the sugars per 100 g, then check the portion you plan to eat.
The Auchan and Picard product pages say the lollies should be stored at −18 °C and must not be refrozen once thawed.
Plan how to keep it cold during your journey. If that isn’t possible, choose a snack that doesn’t need to be frozen.
The product pages for the Auchan lollies mentioned say they may contain traces of cereals containing gluten, peanuts and nuts. Picard says its product is made in a factory that uses milk.
If you have an allergy or avoid certain foods, read the ingredients and warnings on the packaging of the recipe you buy.
Picard offers a box of six fruit ice lollies with no added sugars, in two flavours and with 45 g portions.
Auchan offers fruit ice lollies with no added sugars in strawberry and mango-passion fruit flavours, in boxes of four 60 g portions.
Magnum’s range includes the Mini Classic Almond White Chocolate selection. It provides a point of comparison with fruit lollies with no added sugars.
No: an ice lolly with no added sugars may still contain sugars that occur naturally in its ingredients. According to the National Consumer Institute, the “sugar-free” claim requires a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g or 100 ml, so check the nutrition information for the recipe you choose.
First compare the “of which sugars” figure per 100 g, then check the amount per lolly. The product pages mentioned list 45 g portions for Picard and 60 g portions for the Auchan recipes. The amount per portion answers a different question from a like-for-like comparison by weight.
Yes, but only if you can keep it frozen until you eat it or put it back in the freezer. The Auchan and Picard product pages say the lollies should be stored at −18 °C and must not be refrozen once thawed. An ordinary gym bag won’t keep it cold enough.
Read the ingredients and warnings for the exact recipe before buying. The Auchan product pages mentioned warn that the lollies may contain traces of cereals containing gluten, peanuts and nuts. Picard says its product is made in a factory that uses milk.