Cautious runner preparing for the start
You’re wondering whether an ice lolly could be part of your final meal before a marathon. IRBMS recommends having a light, low-fat meal well before the race.
Who are these tips for?
Runner looking forward to a treat after the finish
You’re considering an ice lolly as a treat after the race or well before the start. Portion size and recipe allergens matter more here than whether it’s labelled ‘premium’.
Shopper comparing pack sizes
You’re choosing between individual ice lollies and larger packs. Compare the number of portions, ingredients, and how easy the product will be to transport and store.
What should you look for?
First, decide when you plan to enjoy this dessert. Then compare the portion size and recipe, and choose a pack you can store properly.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| When you’ll eat it | How long before the start you’ll have the dessert, and the fat content shown for the portion. | If I’m running soon, I’d rather stick to my usual eating habits and avoid a rich dessert before the start; around 42% of consumers would put digestive comfort first. |
| Portion size and ingredients | Nutrition information per portion or per 100 g, as well as the ingredients and allergen information. | After the race, I want to choose a dessert with a portion size I can enjoy and ingredients I can check; around 33% of consumers would put portion size and ingredients first. |
| Pack size and storage | The number of ice lollies, net quantity and storage instructions on the packaging. | When I buy a pack of ice lollies, I want to be able to get them home frozen and choose a pack size that suits how much I’ll eat; around 25% of consumers would prioritise these practical considerations. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Relying on a rich ice lolly as your last fuel before the race
A chocolate-coated ice lolly is a dessert, whereas IRBMS recommends a light, low-fat final meal, finished 2 h 30 to 3 h before the race.
Save this kind of ice lolly for a time well before the start, and avoid changing your eating habits on race day.
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Assuming the brand tells you which allergens are present
Two recipes from the same range may contain different ingredients and carry different ‘may contain’ warnings.
Check the ingredients list and ‘may contain’ information on the packaging of the product you choose.
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Choosing a pack without planning how to transport it
A pack size is only useful if you can get the ice lollies back to the freezer in suitable conditions. The DGCCRF stresses the importance of maintaining the cold chain.
Check the storage instructions and take a cool bag if your journey calls for one.
Brands to know when comparing recipes
Magnum
The range includes chocolate-coated ice lollies, with recipes that vary by product.
- The choice of flavours and pack sizes makes it easy to find a specific recipe for a treat well before the start.
- Check the dairy ingredients, fat content and any nut warnings for each product.
Auchan
The retailer’s own-brand range includes vanilla and almond ice lollies.
- The ingredient and nutrition information lets you check the portion you’re choosing.
- The vanilla and almond ice lolly reviewed contains milk, almonds and soya; check the packaging of the product you buy.
MUCCI
This ALDI brand covers a range of frozen desserts, including ice cream and sorbet, depending on the product.
- The choice of pack sizes makes it easy to compare ice lollies with larger packs to share.
- A tub of ice cream or sorbet isn’t necessarily an ice lolly. Check the product type, portion size and ingredients of the specific product.
TRIUM
The range includes frozen cones listed by E.Leclerc.
- You can use the ingredients of a specific product to compare frozen dessert recipes.
- The cone reviewed isn’t an ice lolly; don’t assume its features apply to other TRIUM products.
Ice lollies for a dessert well before the start
These ice lollies are options for a dessert after the race or at another time well before the start, not a pre-marathon fuelling strategy. Compare pack sizes and check the exact recipe before choosing.
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POPELINO Sicilian Pistache, white chocolate, 4 × 78 g
A dessert to enjoy well before the start if you’re looking for a pistachio and white chocolate recipe.
Box of four, 312 g in total. Check the allergens on the packaging.
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POPELINO Intense Dark Chocolate, 4 ice lollies, 312 g
An individual portion to consider as a chocolate dessert, well before the start rather than as race fuel.
Box of four, 312 g in total. Check the packaging for nutrition information per portion and allergen details.
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Magnum Mini Classic, Almond and White Chocolate, 6 pieces, 254 g
The mini size could be just right if you fancy a smaller dessert portion well before the race.
Assortment of six, 254 g in total. Check the ingredients and nutrition information for the recipe you choose.
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Magnum White Chocolate Almond, 4 × 100 mL
A white chocolate and almond recipe to save for a time well before the start.
Four 100 mL ice lollies. Compare the nutrition information with the portion you’ll actually eat, and check the allergens on the packaging.
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MAGNUM Salted Caramel & Almond, 3 ice lollies, 222 g
A salted caramel and almond recipe for a dessert to enjoy well before the start.
Box of three, 222 g in total. Check the packaging for portion size, ingredients and allergens.
Frequently asked questions
Is a premium ice lolly suitable just before a marathon?
Not as your main source of fuel just before the start. For race day, IRBMS recommends a light, low-fat meal, finished 2 h 30 to 3 h before the race. Save a rich frozen dessert for another time.
What should I check if I need to avoid certain allergens?
Read the ingredients list and any trace warnings for the exact product. For example, the product details for Auchan’s vanilla and almond ice lolly list milk, almonds and soya. Recipes from the same brand aren’t interchangeable when it comes to allergens.
How should I transport ice lollies bought around a race?
Plan a way to keep them frozen during the journey, such as using a cool bag, then follow the storage instructions on the packaging. The DGCCRF warns that breaking the cold chain can increase the risks associated with food storage.