When choosing a mini ice lolly, start by checking what one lolly contains: its weight and nutritional values per portion matter more than the word “mini” alone. An ice lolly can satisfy a craving for a portion-controlled frozen treat, but its size doesn’t make it a suitable pre-workout snack. If you’re thinking of having one before a session, check the recipe’s fat, sugar and allergen information too.
An individual lolly gives you a useful starting point, as long as you know its weight and nutritional values. For example, Magnum Mini Double Chocolate lists a 50 g portion; not all boxes present their information in the same way.
If you’re mainly after a small frozen treat, remember that this is different from choosing food to prepare for exercise. Manger Bouger recommends limiting foods that are high in fat, sugar and salt, as well as ultra-processed foods. The Fédération Française de Triathlon also offers guidance on everyday eating, rather than recommending a particular type of ice lolly.
The number of lollies and the total weight help you work out the size of each one. With an assorted box, check the ingredients and allergens for each flavour too.
If you’re considering a mini ice lolly before exercise, start with the one you plan to eat, then compare its ingredients and the flavours available. These checks can help you choose a portion-controlled frozen treat without assuming that a mini size guarantees particular nutritional qualities.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Portion per lolly | Number of lollies, total weight and nutritional values per portion. | If I’m a little hungry, I want to know what one lolly contains rather than rely on the word “mini”. Around 50% of consumers prioritise portion size. |
| Ingredients before a session | Fat, including saturated fat, sugar and allergens on the exact packaging. | If I’m planning to have an ice lolly shortly before exercise, its recipe matters more to me than the size of the lolly alone. This is the main concern for around 33% of consumers. |
| Variety in the box | Flavours included, number of lollies and total box weight. | If I want to keep a few small ice lollies in the freezer or share them, I look for an assortment where I can tell the different lollies and recipes apart. Variety is the main priority for around 17% of consumers. |
A small lolly can still be high in fat. According to Magnum, a 50 g Mini Double Chocolate contains 184 kcal, 12 g of fat and 8.5 g of saturated fat. The size tells you about the portion, not the recipe’s nutritional profile.
Compare the values per lolly. If they’re only given per 100 g, check the weight of one lolly before working out how they relate to the amount you’ll eat.
Ingredients can vary from one lolly to another. Auchan’s mini ice lolly assortment includes a toasted almond version, while Carrefour Extra’s vanilla, chocolate and almond product lists milk and almonds.
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact box for every flavour you’re interested in.
An ice lolly that’s been out of the freezer during transport needs particular care when it comes to storage instructions. Anses highlights the importance of maintaining the cold chain.
Follow the packaging instructions for transport and storage, including any advice not to refreeze the product after thawing.
Mini chocolate-coated ice cream lollies, including Mini Double Chocolate.
Carrefour Extra offers mini vanilla, chocolate and almond ice lollies, among other varieties.
Marque Repère’s Trium range includes mini vanilla ice lollies with a fruit coating.
Auchan offers an assortment of eight mini ice lollies, weighing 258 g in total, with several different coatings.
Lidl sells ice cream under the Bon Gelati brand.
Aldi sells a box of 12 mini ice lollies under the MUCCI® brand, weighing 429 g in total, with several different coatings.
These are Magnum mini ice lollies sold in boxes of six, for anyone who wants to choose one lolly at a time. Compare the recipe and per-portion information on the packaging. Their inclusion here doesn’t mean they’re suitable for preparing for a session.
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A box of six mini ice lollies, so you can have one at a time.
To check what’s in the portion you eat, look at the weight of each lolly and the corresponding nutritional values. Check the allergen information on the exact packaging too.
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Six individual lollies for when you fancy a small portion of ice cream.
Each lolly is listed as 55 ml. Check its weight, nutritional values per portion and allergens on the box before comparing it with another recipe.
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Six mini caramel ice lollies, so you can choose one rather than a larger portion.
The box weighs 330 g in total. Check the weight and nutritional values of one lolly to compare your portion. Read the allergen information on the packaging too.
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A chocolate and caramel recipe in six small lollies, for when you fancy a portion-controlled frozen treat.
The box weighs 282 g in total. Check the nutritional values per lolly and the allergens listed on the packaging before choosing this recipe.
No. “Mini” describes the size of the lolly, not whether it’s a good choice to prepare for exercise. Compare the portion and its ingredients. According to Magnum, a 50 g Mini Double Chocolate contains 12 g of fat, including 8.5 g of saturated fat. For everyday eating, the Fédération Française de Triathlon recommends prioritising foods containing carbohydrates with a low glycaemic index.
Check the number of lollies and their individual weight, if listed. Dividing the total weight by the number of lollies gives you only an average if the lollies in an assortment vary in size. To compare their ingredients, use the nutritional values for the portion you actually choose.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact packaging, including for each flavour in an assortment. Some of the Carrefour Extra and Auchan products mentioned here contain milk or almonds. Don’t assume you know what’s in a lolly from its name alone.
Follow the transport and storage instructions on the box, especially those relating to thawing and refreezing. Anses reminds consumers that maintaining the cold chain helps limit microbiological risks.