Best Ice Creams for Diabetes That Don’t Raise Blood Sugar
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Best Ice Creams for Diabetes That Don’t Spike Blood Sugar

Best Ice Creams for Diabetes That Don’t Spike Blood Sugar
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By
Janet Renee, MS, RD
Updated on August 6, 2025
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You may think that ice cream is off-limits if you have diabetes, especially since many varieties are high in sugar. If you're looking for sugar-free products that don't raise blood sugar (glucose), the bad news is there aren't any. The good news is that it’s still possible to enjoy ice cream as part of a healthy, diabetes-friendly diet. Here’s how to choose a healthier product, plus some of the best ice creams for people with diabetes.

No Sugar Added: The Not-So-Sweet Truth

No-sugar-added ice cream usually contains sugar substitutes, such as sugar alcohols and sucralose, better known as Splenda, which don’t raise blood sugar.

 However, this doesn't make them sugar-free. Most no-sugar-added ice creams contain milk, which has lactose, a naturally occurring sugar.

 Plus, some people don’t like the taste of sugar substitutes.

Why Ice Cream Isn’t Off the Table

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people with diabetes aim to eat a predetermined, consistent amount of carbohydrates at each meal. 

There’s no single, universal number to aim for – how many carbs you need depends on factors including your body size and activity level. However, the CDC says that it’s best to limit carbs (including dairy products) to about a quarter of your plate at each meal.
It's common to think that you must avoid all forms of sugar when you have diabetes, but this isn't the case.

 As long as the total amount of carbs at a given meal remains within your target, you can fit sweet treats in every now and then.

Ice Cream: How to Fit It In

Mass General Brigham suggests eating sweets with your meal, instead of separately.

 That way, nutrients such as fiber (a complex carbohydrate) and protein can help counter the simple carbohydrates and keep your blood sugar in check. You can also plan your meals and make adjustments to compensate for dessert.

 For example, if you're used to having chips or French fries with your meal, swap it out for the ice cream so that your total amount of carbs remains within your target range.

Winning Ice Creams: What to Look For

When you're ready to have ice cream, look for varieties with less than 23 grams (g) of total carbs and 17 g of net carbs (total carbs minus the fiber and sugar alcohols) per serving, suggests Diabetes Strong, a website that provides articles, recipes, and product reviews for people with diabetes.

 Its most-recommended types, based on taste, texture, and influence on blood sugar (which varies from person to person), include the following:
  • Enlightened
  • Rebel Ice Cream
  • Keto Pint Ice Cream
  • Simple Truth Keto French Ice Cream
  • So Delicious No Sugar Added
  • Breyers CarbSmart Frozen Dairy Dessert
  • Halo Top Creamery
  • Nick’s Light Ice Cream
  • Yasso Frozen Greek Yogurt Bars
Dietitian Live, a telehealth platform connecting patients with registered dietitians, also suggests looking for varieties with low amounts of added sugar.

 Its top picks include the following:
  • Enlightened
  • Rebel Ice Cream
  • So Delicious No Sugar Added
  • Breyers CarbSmart
  • Halo Top Creamery
  • Yasso Frozen Greek Yogurt Bars
  • Nubocha
  • Blue Bell No Sugar Added
  • Homemade avocado-coconut ice cream

The Takeaway

  • People with diabetes can enjoy ice cream by choosing lower-carb varieties with little or no added sugar.
  • Incorporating ice cream in a diabetes-friendly meal plan involves balancing overall carb intake and eating desserts with fiber- and protein-rich meals to help manage your blood sugar level.
  • Talk to your healthcare provider for personalized advice on how many total carbs to consume each day, since individual needs may vary.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Artificial Sweeteners. University of California San Francisco.
  2. Are Certain Types of Sugars Healthier Than Others. Harvard Health Publishing. October 20, 2023.
  3. Diabetes Meal Planning. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
    . May 15, 2024.
  4. Understanding Carbs. American Diabetes Association.
  5. O’Meara M. How to Control Blood Sugar With Diet. Mass General Brigham. November 29, 2023.
  6. Can People With Diabetes Have Dessert? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. May 15, 2024.
  7. Oerum C. Low-Carb Ice Cream Review: 10 Popular Brands Tested. Diabetes Strong. September 13, 2024.
  8. Leith S. Best Ice Cream for Diabetes: Ice Cream & Blood Sugar Management for Diabetes. Dietitian Live. August 1, 2025.
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Kara-Andrew-bio

Kara Andrew, RDN, LDN

Medical Reviewer
Member of American College of Lifestyle Medicine

Kara Andrew, RDN, LDN, is the director of health promotion for Memorial Hospital in Carthage, Illinois. She is also licensed as an exercise physiologist and certified in lifestyle medicine by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. Her experience includes corporate wellness, teaching for the American College of Sports Medicine, sports nutrition, weight management, integrative medicine, oncology support, and dialysis.

She earned her master's in exercise and nutrition science at Lipscomb University.

Andrew has served as a president and board member of the Nashville Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She was recently elected a co-chair of the fitness and medicine group in the American College of Lifestyle Medicine.

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Janet Renee, MS, RD

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