People buying packs to share
You want to have several individual desserts ready to serve. The number of lollies and the net weight help you tell a large pack of mini lollies from a pack of larger ones.
Who is this choice for?
Runners looking for a refreshing dessert
You’re considering an ice lolly around a marathon, without confusing it with the food and drink planned to fuel your run. INSEP explains the role of carbohydrates in sports nutrition; choosing a frozen dessert is a different matter.
People who check the ingredients
You need to check the ingredients, particularly if you need to avoid milk, soya, wheat or nuts. A product described as plant-based can still contain allergens.
What should you check?
First decide whether the ice lollies are for sharing as a dessert or whether you’re looking for fuel during the race: these are not interchangeable uses. For dessert, compare the pack size, ingredients and transport requirements.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Pack size | Compare the number of ice lollies with the total weight or volume. Check whether they’re mini-sized before counting the portions. | If I’m planning dessert for several people, I want to know the size of each lolly as well as how many there are; around 36% of consumers would make portion planning their priority. |
| Use around marathon day | If you’re considering the product for the race, distinguish it from the food and drink planned to fuel your run. | I’m looking for an ice lolly to enjoy outside the race, not something to rely on during the event; around 29% of consumers would put this distinction first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you choose, including for plant-based recipes. | If I need to avoid an ingredient, the flavour or the word ‘plant-based’ isn’t enough; around 21% of consumers would prioritise whether the recipe is suitable for them. |
| Transport and storage | Check the storage temperature on the packaging and plan how to keep the lollies cold on the way home. | If I need to transport the lollies before putting them in the freezer, keeping them cold comes first; nearly 14% of consumers would prioritise this. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming a sugary ice lolly is suitable fuel for a marathon
The fact that an ice lolly contains carbohydrates doesn’t, by itself, tell you whether it’s suitable during a race. Frozen products also need to be kept cold during transport and storage. INSEP recognises the role of carbohydrates in fuelling exercise, but doesn’t present ice lollies as marathon fuel.
Choose an ice lolly as a dessert to enjoy after the race, and plan separately what you’ll eat and drink during the event.
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Confusing a large pack with large portions
A pack with more ice lollies may contain mini-sized ones. The number of lollies alone won’t tell you how much each person will get.
Check the number of lollies, the total weight or volume and the individual size shown on the pack.
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Assuming a plant-based ice lolly is suitable for all allergies
Magnum describes its Vegan Amande recipe as a soya-based ice cream with almonds. ‘Plant-based’ therefore doesn’t mean ‘soya-free’ or ‘nut-free’.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact product packaging. According to the DGCCRF, allergens are highlighted on the labels of prepacked foods.
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Forgetting the journey from the shop to the freezer
The DGCCRF warns that a rise in temperature can increase food-related risks. So, being able to transport a frozen product quickly is an important factor when choosing a pack.
Pick up frozen products last, follow the storage instructions on the pack and keep them out of the cold for as little time as possible.
Brands and retailers to know
These examples can help you identify different types of recipes and packs; they don’t guarantee that a particular product will be available at any given shop.
Magnum
The brand offers chocolate-coated ice lollies, mini versions and a soya-based Vegan Amande recipe.
- Magnum’s recipes give you a choice of coatings and ingredients to suit your preferences.
- Depending on the recipe, check the packaging for milk, soya, wheat and nuts.
Carrefour
The retailer stocks ice lollies including Carrefour Classic' and Carrefour Sensation.
- A pack of 12 Classic' chocolate and vanilla ice lollies is an example of a shareable pack size.
- Compare the weight and size of each lolly when switching between ranges or recipes.
E.Leclerc
The retailer offers ice lollies including Smicy, Trium and Eskiss.
- The Smicy assortment of 20 sticks, listed as weighing 850 g, is an example of a pack with plenty to share.
- An assorted pack and an ice lolly from another range may have different ingredients and individual sizes.
Auchan
Its range includes ice lollies, mini ice lollies and frozen bars from various brands.
- These categories make it easier to look for an individual size that suits the occasion.
- Check the product and its details at your chosen shop before comparing two recipes.
Lidl
The retailer offers ice lollies in assortments that may vary depending on the time of year.
- Leaflets can help you spot a pack size you’re interested in.
- Check the product and offer dates before making a special trip.
ALDI
The retailer offers MUCCI ice lollies, including mini versions and lollies with a double coating.
- A pack of 12 mini ice lollies and a pack of four double-coated lollies offer examples of different portion sizes.
- The number of lollies alone isn’t enough to compare these two pack sizes; also check the total quantity and ingredients.
Ice lollies on Joybuy
These packs of ice lollies are individual desserts to enjoy around the event, not something to take with you as fuel during the marathon. Check the size and labelling of the product you’re interested in.
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Binggrae Melona Melon Ice Bar, 8 × 70 ml
A pack to consider if you’d like to serve frozen desserts individually. It contains eight 70 ml ice lollies; check the ingredients and storage instructions on the packaging.
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Madame Wong Red Bean Ice Cream, 5 × 80 g
This pack is ideal for serving frozen dessert in individual portions. It contains five 80 g ice lollies; if the ingredients are important to your choice, check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack.
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Madame Wong Durian Ice Cream, 5 × 80 g
Another individual-portion option for a dessert after the race. The pack contains five 80 g ice lollies; check the ingredients, allergens and storage instructions on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Can an ice lolly be your main source of fuel during a marathon?
Don’t choose an ice lolly as your main source of fuel just because it contains sugar. INSEP identifies carbohydrates as a source of fuel for exercise, but that doesn’t mean an ice lolly is suitable for this purpose. Keeping it cold during the race is also a challenge. Save it for a dessert after the event.
How should you compare two packs of ice lollies?
Check the number of lollies and the total weight or volume, then look at the size of each one and the ingredients. A pack of mini ice lollies and a pack of larger ones don’t offer the same portions, even if both are designed for sharing.
Should you check the allergens in a plant-based ice lolly?
Yes: ‘plant-based’ doesn’t mean the recipe is free from allergens. For example, Magnum describes its Vegan Amande as a soya-based ice cream with almonds. Check the labelling on the exact product; the DGCCRF says allergens are highlighted on prepacked foods.
How should you transport ice lollies after buying them?
Pick them up last and keep them out of the cold for as little time as possible, following the storage temperature shown on the packaging. The DGCCRF warns that a rise in temperature can increase food-related risks.