People who want to decide on their portion in advance
You want to decide to have one lolly before opening the box. A value given per lolly makes this easier: Carrefour, for example, lists 154 kcal for a 55 mL Magnum Mini Almond.
Who is this choice for?
People comparing recipes
You check the sugars, fat and ingredients before choosing between a chocolate coating and a fruit-based recipe. Compare the nutritional information on the same basis, then check the allergens in the variety you choose.
Households buying a box to share
You’re looking for a number of lollies that suits the people you’re serving, while keeping everyone’s portion in mind. With a box of mini lollies, you’ll need to decide how many to take out of the freezer.
Which criteria should you look at first?
When choosing mini ice lollies with portion size in mind, start with your main priority: how much you’re serving, the ingredients or the box size. Then read the nutritional information carefully, noting whether it’s given per lolly or per 100 g.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Portion eaten | Check the amount and energy per lolly, then decide how many you’ll serve. | If I want to stick to one, I need to know what that means in practice rather than relying on the word ‘mini’. Around 45% of consumers are said to put portion size at the top of their list of concerns. |
| Recipe and nutritional values | Compare sugars and fat on the same basis, then read the ingredients and allergen information. | When choosing between a chocolate coating and a fruit-based recipe, I want to know what each product contains. For around 33% of consumers, ingredients are said to be the main priority. |
| Box size | Check the number of lollies and the total quantity to plan portions for sharing. | When I’m buying for several people, I want a box that suits the household without serving more lollies than needed. Pack size is said to be the top priority for around 22% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming that a mini size is always low in energy
The Magnum Mini Almond listed by Carrefour contains 154 kcal and 9.7 g of fat per 55 mL lolly. The size makes the portion clear, but it doesn’t tell you everything about its nutritional values.
Decide how many lollies you plan to eat, then check the values per lolly.
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Assuming a fruit flavour means a low-sugar recipe
Auchan lists 25 g of sugars per 100 g for its POP'FRUIT raspberry and white chocolate mini lollies, despite containing 46% raspberry purée. The flavour name doesn’t replace the nutritional information.
Compare the sugars per 100 g and the size of the lolly you’ll be eating.
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Comparing one lolly directly with 100 g
A value per lolly and a value per 100 g refer to different quantities. Simply putting them side by side won’t tell you which lolly represents the larger portion.
Check the amount in one lolly and compare recipes using the same basis.
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Overlooking the variety and its storage instructions
Ingredients and allergens vary from one recipe to another. For its Magnum Mini selection, Joybuy’s product details state that it should be stored at −18 °C or below.
Read the allergen information and storage instructions on the exact box you’re buying.
Brands to compare
Magnum
Mini ice cream lollies with a chocolate coating, for anyone who wants a clearly defined, indulgent portion.
- Carrefour lists 55 mL and 154 kcal per lolly for the Mini Almond variety.
- This variety contains milk and almonds; check the allergens for each variety.
Auchan
A range that includes mini vanilla lollies with a fruit coating, as well as assorted boxes.
- Auchan lists 163 to 167 kcal per 100 g, depending on the variety of its fruit lollies, sold in a box of eight weighing 300 g.
- The recipe includes sugar, glucose syrups and milk, among other ingredients; a fruit coating is not the same as a portion of fruit.
POP'FRUIT
The raspberry and white chocolate variety is a mini sorbet lolly made with a recipe that highlights fruit purée.
- Auchan lists 46% raspberry purée and 47 g per lolly for this variety.
- It also contains 25 g of sugars per 100 g: the presence of fruit alone doesn’t tell you how much sugar it contains.
Trium
E.Leclerc offers Trium mini lollies in vanilla, fruit and chocolate recipes.
- The varieties shown include boxes of eight mini lollies, including a vanilla version with a fruit coating.
- Check the nutritional values and ingredients on the specific box before comparing varieties.
MUCCI
An ALDI ice cream brand worth considering if the number of lollies in a box matters to your household.
- ALDI has offered a 429 g box of 12 MUCCI mini lollies.
- The number of lollies doesn’t tell you the nutritional values per lolly; check the packaging for the variety you choose.
Ice lollies on Joybuy
These products offer options for an individual frozen treat, from a box of mini lollies to an assortment for sharing. They don’t all belong to the same ice cream category: start by choosing the recipe that appeals to you, then check the amount in one lolly and its label.
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CAPRI-SUN Orange & Cherry Ice Pops, 12 lollies, 444 g
For sharing ice lollies, this box contains 12: decide how many you’d like to serve before opening it.
Check the sugars per lolly and the allergen information on the packaging.
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POP FRUIT Sorbet Sticks 100% Coconut, 4 lollies, 280 g
If you’re looking for a sorbet lolly to serve individually, this box contains four.
Check the sugars, fat and allergen information for this recipe on the packaging.
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Binggrae Melona Melon Ice Bar, 8 × 70 ml
If the volume of each portion helps you plan what to serve, this box contains eight 70 ml lollies.
To understand what one lolly contains, distinguish between values given per lolly and those given per 100 ml.
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Magnum Mini Classic, Almond and White Chocolate, 6 lollies, 254 g
If you prefer an assortment of chocolate-coated mini lollies, this box lets you choose one from six.
Check the values per lolly and the allergens for each recipe; the total amount in the box doesn’t tell you the size of your portion on its own.
Frequently asked questions
Does a mini ice lolly make it easier to choose a portion?
It gives you one clearly defined lolly, but its name alone doesn’t tell you anything about its nutritional values. Carrefour, for example, lists 154 kcal for a 55 mL Magnum Mini Almond: check the lolly you plan to eat and how many you’ll be serving.
How do you compare a value per lolly with one per 100 g?
First, check the amount in one lolly, then compare the recipes on the same basis. A value per 100 g won’t necessarily match the energy in a whole lolly; also check whether the other label gives the portion in grams or millilitres.
Which allergens should you check in mini lollies?
Read the ingredients list and allergen information for the exact variety. The Magnum Mini Almond listed by Carrefour contains milk and almonds and may contain other nuts; don’t assume this applies to every recipe.
Can you refreeze a thawed Magnum Mini lolly?
For the Magnum Mini assortment featured on Joybuy, the instructions are to store it at −18 °C or below, then eat it immediately after thawing in the fridge. Do not refreeze it. Follow the instructions on the box you’ve bought.