As soon as you walk into a Cold Stone Creamery, the overbearing waft of smooth vanilla is enough to convert you from a clean, green eater to an ice cream fiend, scarfing down a Love It! Peanut Butter Cup Perfection. But we’re here to inform you of your options before it gets to that point because whether they like to advertise it or not, there are healthy choices at Cold Stone.
Cold Stone Creamery R&D Chef, Nola Kreig stated,“The real beauty of Cold Stone Creamery is the ability to have ice cream the way you want it, and that remains true for our healthy indulgences as well. For the diet- and health-conscious guests looking to make healthier choices, we have a variety of tasty treats.”
So what exactly are these tasty treats?
Healthy Indulgences…Keep Talkin’
Sorbet
We don’t know about you, but we’d opt for a cup of sorbet during the summer (or any time for that matter) over a cup of ice cream. The best part is, it’s considered one of Cold Stone’s healthy indulgences, made for the health conscience or as an alternative for those not up for the heavy, thick ice cream. Each flavor is completely dairy-free and lower in calories (one Like It is about 155 calories) than a traditional dish of ice cream. And while there are usually only a few sorbets available at a time, Cold Stone’s current portfolio includes Countrytime Pink Lemonade, Pineapple, Lemon, Raspberry, Mojito, Strawberry Mango Banana, Pineapple Orange Banana, and Watermelon. Top with fruit and nuts, and you’ve got a perfect warm-weather treat.
Frozen Yogurt
Self-proclaiming it the “Ultimate Frozen Yogurt Experience,” Cold Stone Creamery quickly realized that in a world full of health-focused people (who also love ice cream), they’d have to offer something different. Something guiltless but delicious at the same time. Cold Stone’s fro-yo hits the spot, offering a healthy alternative to ice cream with probiotics (aids digestion) and an approval from the one and only – National Yogurt Association’s Live & Active Cultures. At only 34 calories an ounce, there’s nothing to feel bad about. Not that eating ice cream is bad – we’re all about that Birthday Cake Remix life, too.
The dessert shop has perfected nearly 40 frozen yogurt flavors, but only a select few are available in store. To avoid ruining a perfectly healthy dessert, add fruit and nut mix-ins like roasted almonds, bananas, blueberries, coconut, raspberries, strawberries, cinnamon, and pecans.
Select locations even have a Soft Serve Frozen Yogurt Bar, mimicking the traditional fro-yo joints that popped up all over. Giving you control over what you put in your cup, the fro-yo bar allows you to grab a cup, fill up with any of the available flavors, and top with healthy mix-ins and syrups (a little fudge drizzle never hurt anybody).
Sinless Sans Fat Sweet Cream
And if you’re in the mood for a shake, maybe don’t go for the PB&C shake that has 2,010 calories (same as eating 68 pieces of bacon). Instead, swap out regular ice cream for the Sinless Sans Fat Sweet Cream or another available low-fat option. The Sweet Cream has zero grams of fat and is only 176 calories for a Like It, 292 calories for a Love It, and 410 calories for a Gotta Have It.
If your local Cold Stone is lucky enough to be graced with this healthier option, it’s definitely worth skipping the high-cal ice cream and mix-ins.
Skinny Vanilla Ice Cream
If you’re looking for a healthy alternative and your Cold Stone location offers the Skinny Vanilla Ice Cream, you won’t regret it. A Like It is only 210 calories, and it’s made with non-fat milk and without any artificial sweeteners. Top it off with strawberries, bananas, and nuts for a treat that’s almost as good as any Signature Creation on the menu.
Creations for Kids
But maybe you’re not ready to give up your favorite Cold Stone dish just yet – we don’t blame you a bit. You can always opt for a kids’ size treat. This smaller cup is around 150 calories, so you can still get your sweet treat fix without worrying about over-indulging. Currently, Cold Stone makes Berry Berry Blue, Sprinkleberry, and Delicious Dirt flavors for kids, but the availability of these flavors differ by location.
What About Smoothies?
A Coldstone smoothie contains tons of great health benefits, too – like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and real fruit. Promoting them as a perfect treat for those living an active lifestyle, these fruity drinks are absolutely delicious. The downside? Cold Stone smoothies contain excessive amounts of sugar, averaging anywhere from 30 to 100 grams per drink. While the sound of Strawberry Mango and Pineapple Blueberry is heavenly, we recommend going for one of the lower-sugar treats if you are serious about sticking to a healthy option.
Now, speaking of healthy options, if you’ve completely axed fast food because you’re trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle, think again. These 12 Healthy Fast Food Options will surprise you.
