Choose a multipack based on how many portions you need to share and the size of each ice lolly, rather than simply counting the number of lollies. After exercise, an ice lolly can be a treat, but it isn’t a complete recovery snack on its own. Check the nutritional information, allergens and storage instructions too, especially if you plan to take one with you.
A mini format makes it easier to keep track of the portion you’ve chosen, but that doesn’t make ice cream a recovery food. As an example for a specific recipe, Carrefour lists 154 kcal for a 55 ml Magnum almond mini ice lolly. Check the nutritional values for the variety you’re buying.
Several ice lollies can be shared between people or saved for different occasions. Carrefour, Auchan and ALDI, for example, list boxes of 8, 10 and 12. The number of lollies alone doesn’t tell you how large each one is.
Before choosing an assortment, check the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the exact box you’re buying. Depending on the recipe, products listed by Carrefour and Auchan contain milk, soya or almonds. A different flavour doesn’t guarantee that the ingredients are suitable for everyone.
For a post-exercise treat, first work out how many ice lollies you’ll actually use. Then compare the individual portion size, ingredients and storage options to make sure they’ll stay frozen until you’re ready to eat them.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Part of your snack | The portion you’ll eat and the nutritional values, particularly sugars and fat. | After exercise, I want an ice lolly as a treat, but I don’t want to rely on it as my whole snack. Around 31% of consumers might put this first. |
| Sharing portions | The number of ice lollies, the weight or volume of each one, and the flavours in the assortment. | If several people are sharing a box, I need enough lollies and portions that suit everyone. This would be the top priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | The ingredients list and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the exact box, including for different flavours. | If someone needs to avoid a recipe because of its ingredients or an allergy, I check what’s in it before considering the format. Around 23% of consumers might make this their first priority. |
| Pack size and storage | How many lollies you’ll use, how much freezer space you have, and the transport and storage instructions. | I prefer a pack I can store easily, with portions that will stay frozen until I eat them. This would be the main concern for around 15% of consumers. |
‘Mini’ describes the format, not the nutritional values. Carrefour, for example, lists 154 kcal and 9.7 g of fat for a 55 ml Magnum almond mini ice lolly.
Check the values for the portion you plan to eat, then consider the ice lolly as part of your overall meal or snack.
Different varieties in the same box can contain different ingredients. Depending on the product, assortments listed by Carrefour and Auchan contain milk, soya or almonds, and may also carry ‘may contain’ warnings.
Read the label on the box you choose, including the information for each relevant variety.
Individual portions make sharing easier, but they still need to be stored correctly. The DGCCRF stresses the importance of maintaining the cold chain during transport and storage.
Follow the instructions on the packaging, and only plan to take an ice lolly with you if you can keep it under the stated conditions until you eat it.
Carrefour lists a box of 6 mini ice lollies, each 55 ml. Auchan also lists an assortment of 10 mini ice creams, each 55 ml.
Carrefour lists assortments of 8 ice lollies, including Carrefour Extra at 8 × 32 g and Simpl in a pack of 8.
Auchan lists an assortment of 8 mini ice lollies with a total weight of 258 g.
The E.Leclerc catalogue includes Mini Trium vanilla ice creams in a pack of 8 and vanilla and chocolate ice lollies in a pack of 12.
ALDI lists a MUCCI pack of 12 mini ice lollies, weighing 429 g in total, with several chocolate flavours.
Lidl sells ice creams under the Bon Gelati brand.
These boxes contain between 4 and 12 ice lollies to share. Compare the weight or volume per lolly: the fruit and chocolate options featured here may suit different tastes, and none should be chosen on the assumption that it alone will help you recover after exercise.
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The pack of 12 is a good choice if you’d like to share the ice lollies between several people or occasions.
The box lists five flavours and a total weight of 1 200 g. If portion size or an allergen is important to you, check the label on the exact box.
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This pack is ideal for sharing, with one ice lolly for each person.
The box contains 10 ice lollies, weighing 700 g in total, and lists five flavours. If nutritional information affects your choice, check the details for the variety and portion you’ll be eating.
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Eight ice lollies of the same volume make it easy to plan an individual portion for several people.
Each ice lolly is listed as 70 ml. When comparing this format with an ice lolly listed in grams, don’t treat volume and weight as interchangeable measures. Check the ingredients list too.
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This box is a good choice for a small group looking for chocolate-coated mini ice lollies.
It contains six 55 ml ice lollies. Check the nutritional information and allergens for this exact product: values for another Magnum flavour won’t necessarily apply to the Classic.
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This pack of four is a good option if you’re after a fruity flavour without needing a large box.
Each ice lolly is listed as 90 ml. A fruity flavour alone doesn’t tell you about the ingredients or sugar content, so check the label on the product you choose.
No. Eating an ice lolly after exercise doesn’t make it a complete recovery snack. Anses points out that a balanced diet includes a range of nutrients. If you’re planning a snack after exercise, think about everything you eat and drink rather than the ice lolly on its own.
Start with how many portions you’ll use, then check the weight or volume of each ice lolly. For example, Carrefour lists an assortment of 8 × 32 g, while Auchan lists an assortment of 10 Magnum mini ice creams, each 55 ml. So the number of lollies alone doesn’t tell you the portion size.
Only choose it after checking the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the exact box. Depending on the recipe, assortments listed by Carrefour and Auchan may contain milk, soya or almonds. The DGCCRF says allergens must be highlighted in the ingredients list on pre-packed foods.
Only if you can store it as instructed until you’re ready to eat it. Follow the packaging directions and make sure you have a suitable way to transport it. The DGCCRF reminds consumers that the cold chain must be maintained when transporting and storing products that need to be kept cold.