Who is this choice for?

People avoiding added sugars

You’re looking for a recipe with no added sugars, without assuming that it contains no sugars at all. Auchan lists 17 g of sugars per 100 g for its strawberry 100% fruit ice lolly, which carries this claim.

Runners who want to calculate their fuelling

You check the carbohydrates per serving before adding a food to a long run, and take into account what you’ve already eaten during training.

Shoppers mindful of allergens and storage

You need to check the allergen information for the exact product and be able to keep it frozen until you eat it.

What should you look for?

No-added-sugar fruit ice lolly

Consider it: if you’d like an ice lolly without added sugars and are happy to have sugars that occur in the ingredients.

Bear in mind: according to Auchan, its strawberry 100% fruit ice lolly contains 17 g of sugars per 100 g despite this claim.

Classic chocolate-coated ice lolly

Consider it: as a dessert, if a recipe containing added sugars suits your preferences.

Bear in mind: Carrefour’s product listing for Magnum Mini chocolate caramel ice lollies includes sugar and glucose syrups among the ingredients.

Planned carbohydrate fuelling

Consider it: when your main concern is the carbohydrates you’ll consume during prolonged exercise, using portions you can measure and have already tried in training.

Bear in mind: a review published in the Journal of Sports Sciences in 2011 examines hourly carbohydrate intake for long-duration exercise; the amount in one serving of ice cream isn’t enough to plan your entire fuelling strategy.

If you’re considering an ice lolly during your marathon training, work out your main priority before comparing labels: measurable carbohydrates, added sugars, or allergen and storage requirements.

Criteria What to check Who it matters to
Carbohydrates per serving Compare the carbohydrates per serving and per 100 g, then consider when you plan to eat the product. For a long run, I want to be able to count the carbohydrates in each serving without trying a new food on race day; around 42% of the consumers concerned would prioritise this measurable intake.
Added sugars Read the front-of-pack claim alongside the ingredients and the ‘of which sugars’ line in the nutrition information. I avoid added sugars, but don’t want to confuse that preference with having no sugars at all; this distinction would be a priority for around 33% of the consumers concerned.
Allergens and freezing Check the allergens and any ‘may contain’ information on the packaging, as well as the storage instructions. An ice lolly only works for me if its allergen information and cold transport requirements fit my needs; around 25% of the consumers concerned would prioritise this.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Assuming ‘no added sugar’ means ‘sugar-free’

    According to Auchan, its strawberry 100% fruit ice lolly carries the claim ‘no added sugar’ but still contains 17 g of sugars per 100 g. The claim is no substitute for checking the nutrition information.

    Compare the ingredients and the ‘carbohydrates’ and ‘of which sugars’ lines, both per 100 g and per serving.

  • Relying on an ice lolly for all your fuelling

    According to its product listing, Auchan’s strawberry ice lolly provides 13 g of carbohydrates per 60 g serving. This amount on its own doesn’t tell you what you’ll need over the course of a marathon.

    Calculate the servings you’re considering for your run and try the foods in training, rather than having an ice lolly for the first time on race day.

  • Overlooking the label and the cold chain

    Allergen information varies between recipes, while an ice lolly needs to be transported and stored appropriately.

    Check the allergens and instructions on the exact product before planning to buy and transport it.

Brands and retailers to consider

Auchan

The retailer offers 100% fruit ice lollies labelled ‘no added sugar’, including strawberry and mango-passion fruit flavours.

  • According to Auchan, its strawberry ice lolly provides 22 g of carbohydrates and 17 g of sugars per 100 g.
  • The ‘no added sugar’ claim doesn’t mean this product contains no sugars.

Magnum

Its chocolate-coated ice lollies offer a point of comparison with fruit ice lollies for anyone checking the ingredients.

  • Carrefour’s listing for Magnum Mini chocolate caramel ice lollies provides details of the ingredients in this product.
  • This recipe contains sugar and glucose syrups, so it isn’t suitable if you’re looking for an ice lolly with no added sugars.

Carrefour

The retailer stocks ice lollies and ice cream bars, including Magnum Mini chocolate caramel.

  • The listing for this product gives you access to the ingredients and nutrition information per serving.
  • Check the details of the specific product you choose rather than making assumptions based on the type of product alone.

E.Leclerc

The retailer stocks products including SMICY 100% fruit red berry ice lollies and ECO+ chocolate-coated ice lollies.

  • The listing for ECO+ ice lollies states that their recipe contains sugar and glucose syrup.
  • The ‘100% fruit’ description on SMICY ice lollies doesn’t, on its own, mean they contain no sugars.

ALDI / MUCCI

ALDI offers ice lollies and mini ice lollies under the MUCCI brand.

  • ALDI France features several MUCCI ice lolly formats.
  • Check your store’s range and the label of the product you’re considering to find out its sugar content and ingredients.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is an ice lolly labelled ‘no added sugar’ sugar-free?

No. According to Auchan, its strawberry 100% fruit ice lolly contains 17 g of sugars per 100 g and 10 g per 60 g serving, despite the claim. If the total amount of sugars matters to you, check the ‘of which sugars’ line and the ingredients.

Can an ice lolly provide all the fuelling you need for a marathon?

Don’t assume that an ice lolly is enough to plan your carbohydrate intake during the race. According to its product listing, Auchan’s strawberry ice lolly provides 13 g of carbohydrates per 60 g serving. Compare this serving with your planned fuelling and try the foods you’re considering during training.

What should you check if allergens or transport are a concern?

Check the allergen information, any ‘may contain’ statements and the storage instructions for the exact product. Before taking a frozen product with you, make sure you can follow the transport and freezing instructions on its packaging.

Is a sweetened ice lolly automatically suitable for a marathon?

No. The presence of sweeteners alone doesn’t tell you how many carbohydrates a serving provides or how the product fits into your fuelling plan. Check the nutrition information and ingredients, and don’t assume this feature alone will benefit your performance.