If you’re choosing an ice lolly in the morning with a ‘sugar-free’ goal in mind, check the exact claim on the packaging, then read the ingredients and the ‘of which sugars’ line in the nutrition information. ‘Sugar-free’ and ‘no added sugars’ don’t mean the same thing. The Magnum lollies and Carrefour products described below contain sugars or sweetening ingredients, so choosing a fruity or plant-based option isn’t enough to meet this criterion. If you’re cycling, also consider how this portion fits into what you eat around your ride.
If ‘sugar-free’ is your priority, remember that ‘sugar-free’ and ‘no added sugars’ are different claims. Check which one appears on the packaging, along with the ingredients and nutrition information.
You’re happy with a portion that contains sugars, but want to know its size and nutritional values. This comparison alone isn’t enough to choose what to eat for a bike ride.
You also check for allergens or look for a plant-based recipe. These are separate considerations from the sugar content: a plant-based ice lolly can still contain sugar.
If you’re thinking of having an ice lolly in the morning around a bike ride, first decide what your criteria are for sugars, then check the portion size and any ingredient requirements.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar claim | Look for the exact claim, then check the ingredients and the ‘of which sugars’ line per 100 g or 100 ml. | If I’m looking strictly for a sugar-free ice lolly, a fruity flavour isn’t enough to tell me what it contains. Around 46 % of consumers would make this their top priority. |
| Portion and when you eat it | Compare the portion you’ll eat with its nutritional values, and consider how it fits around your ride and other meals. | For a frozen treat in the morning, I want to know how the portion fits in without confusing it with the food I’ve planned for my ride. Around 36 % of consumers would put this need first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the ingredients list, allergen declaration and any ‘may contain’ statements on the packaging. | If certain ingredients are a concern or I prefer a plant-based recipe, I need to check this separately from the sugar content. Around 18 % of consumers would make this their top priority. |
Carrefour lists glucose syrup, fructose and sugar among the ingredients in its Solero Exotic Fruits. Magnum also lists sugar and syrups in its Vegan Almond.
If sugar content is your priority, check the exact claim and ingredients for each product.
The value per portion also depends on the product’s size: Magnum gives values for its Mini Double Chocolate per 50 g portion, while Carrefour gives them for its Solero Exotic Fruits per 90 ml portion. The energy value doesn’t replace the ‘of which sugars’ line.
Compare the values per 100 g or 100 ml, then check those for the portion you plan to eat.
Choosing an ice lolly alone doesn’t determine what’s suitable to eat for a training session. INSEP notes that nutrition plans take account of the sport and the athlete’s individual profile.
Consider this frozen treat in the context of your ride and other meals, rather than automatically reducing what you eat around training.
Looking for a plant-based recipe or a particular sugar content won’t tell you on its own whether a lolly contains allergens.
Read the allergen declaration and any ‘may contain’ statements on the packaging of the product you choose.
The French range includes chocolate-coated mini lollies and a plant-based option.
The frozen lolly aisle includes national brands and Carrefour own-brand products.
ALDI sells ice creams and sorbets under the MUCCI brand, including lolly formats.
The retailer has a ‘sugar-free, no added sugars’ category that also includes a frozen foods filter.
You can browse the E.Leclerc DRIVE range after selecting a store.
This mini sorbet lolly assortment is suited to a fruity frozen treat, not to anyone strictly looking for a ‘sugar-free’ ice lolly. When choosing it, keep portion size separate from your criteria for sugars.
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A mini format to consider for an occasional frozen treat, rather than as fuel for your bike ride.
The ingredients list includes sugar. If you’re strictly looking for a sugar-free or no-added-sugar product, don’t assume that a fruity sorbet fits the bill. Check the packaging for allergens too.
No. They’re two separate claims covered by European regulations on nutrition claims. To shop according to your criteria, check the exact claim on the packaging, the ingredients list and the ‘of which sugars’ line in the nutrition information.
No. Magnum France states that its Vegan Almond contains 18 g of sugars per 72 g portion and lists sugar, glucose syrup and fructose among its ingredients. Choosing a plant-based recipe and checking the sugar content are two separate things.
The ‘sugar-free’ claim alone doesn’t tell you whether it’s a good choice before a ride. INSEP says that nutrition plans take account of the demands of the sport and the athlete’s individual profile, so consider your session and all your meals rather than just the ice lolly.
Compare their nutrition information per 100 g or 100 ml, then check the values for the portion you’ll eat. DGCCRF presents information per 100 g or 100 ml as a basis for comparison. Also read the ‘of which sugars’ line, ingredients and allergen declaration for each product.