Choose an ice lolly labelled ‘sugar-free’ if your main priority is a very low-sugar ice lolly: EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 limits this claim to 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g or 100 ml. If you’re mainly looking for an energy boost before exercise, don’t choose your snack based on this claim alone: the French health insurance service points out that carbohydrates provide energy. Also check the portion size, ingredients and nutritional information.
If a very low sugar content is your main priority, be sure to distinguish between ‘sugar-free’ and ‘no added sugar’. For the former, EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 sets a limit of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g or 100 ml. Check the ‘of which sugars’ line for the exact product you’re considering.
If you’re choosing a snack primarily for its energy content, an ice lolly’s low sugar content alone won’t answer your question. The French health insurance service points out that carbohydrates provide energy, so check the ingredients and nutritional information of the snack you’re considering.
If you’re comparing products to suit your own dietary needs, also check the size of the lolly, its ingredients and its other nutritional values. The ‘sugar-free’ claim alone doesn’t tell you everything about what’s in it.
Before choosing a snack for exercise, decide whether you’re looking for a very low-sugar ice lolly or an energy boost. Then compare products by checking their labels and the portion you’ll eat.
| What to check | Look for | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar claim | Read the exact claim and check the ‘of which sugars’ line per 100 g or 100 ml. For ‘sugar-free’, EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 sets a maximum of 0.5 g. | If I want a genuinely ‘sugar-free’ ice lolly, a ‘no added sugar’ filter alone doesn’t meet my needs; around 42% of the consumers concerned would put this distinction first. |
| Energy before exercise | Check the carbohydrates and portion size of the snack you’re considering, rather than relying on it being marketed as a pre-workout product. | Before a workout, I’m looking first for a snack that meets my energy needs, not just a low-sugar ice lolly; this would be the priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Portion size and ingredients | Compare nutritional values on the same basis, then check the size of the lolly, its ingredients and any allergens listed on the packaging. | When choosing between two lollies, I want to know what’s in the portion I’ll eat, beyond its sugar content; around 25% of consumers would share this priority. |
The first claim doesn’t mean an ice lolly meets the limit for products labelled ‘sugar-free’.
Check the claim on the exact product, then look at its ‘of which sugars’ content per 100 g or 100 ml. Don’t rely on a category filter alone.
A low sugar content doesn’t prove that an ice lolly will meet your dietary needs before exercise. The French health insurance service points out that carbohydrates provide energy.
Decide whether you’re looking for a very low-sugar ice lolly or a snack for its energy content before comparing labels.
Two lollies may differ in portion size, ingredients and other nutritional values.
Compare the information per 100 g or 100 ml, then check how much is in the lolly you plan to eat.
Magnum France offers ice lollies, mini versions and tubs of ice cream.
Carrefour France’s ice lolly listings include a ‘no added sugar’ filter among its frozen desserts.
Auchan France has a general section for ‘sugar-free’ and ‘no added sugar’ products, with frozen foods included in its navigation.
ALDI France features Mucci ice lollies among its frozen desserts.
E.Leclerc offers online grocery shopping with collection and, depending on your location, delivery.
No. EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 reserves the ‘sugar-free’ claim for products containing no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g or 100 ml. ‘No added sugar’ doesn’t prove that this limit is met: check the ‘of which sugars’ line for the specific product.
No. The ‘sugar-free’ claim alone doesn’t show that it’s right for your needs before exercise. If you’re mainly looking for an energy boost, consider what’s in the snack: the French health insurance service points out that carbohydrates provide energy.
Compare their nutritional values per 100 g or 100 ml, including energy, fat, carbohydrates and ‘of which sugars’. Then check the portion size for one lolly, as well as the ingredients and allergens listed on each pack.
Not automatically. The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (Anses) cautions against the idea that an everyday diet can’t meet performance goals. A product marketed as ‘for sport’ isn’t necessarily the right enriched snack for your needs.