The UK has been going crazy over a certain new frozen treat called Halo Top Ice Cream, sold out at many stores across the country. But why is it so popular and is it really worth all the hype and craze? I decided to put it to the test by taste testing a variety of flavours.

Halo Top Ice Cream is not new to those in the USA, available in many grocery stores with an amazing selection of flavours.It is sending many following a healthier eating plan, be it Slimming World, Weight Watchers or calorie counting into an absolute frenzy and is appearing in posts all over social media.

What is it that makes Halo Top so appealing? Well, the first reason is quite obvious. Some tubs of Halo Top are less than 300 calories for a whole tub, yes you read that right a WHOLE TUB!! Where as regular ice cream can cost you nearly 200 calories for just a ½ cup (120ml) serving. The highest calories for a whole tub of Halo Top Ice Cream being 360 calories.

Usually though when something is low calories, you often compromise on taste or have an ingredients list, that is pretty long and not very natural. But Halo Top Ice Cream uses all natural ingredients, is low in calories, low in sugar and high in protein. Which is all great, but if it doesn't taste good, those are all pretty pointless.

So what flavours do they offer and what are the Syn Values or WW Smart Points?

Firstly in the UK, there may be some confusion over how you measure out a serving when the nutritional information is in mls.  The easiest way is to either use measuring cups or a measuring jug. 118ml being a little short of ½ cup. So really easy to measure if you have some of these handy measuring cups. Do not weigh one flavour and then assume all are equal because 118ml of each of the different Halo Top Ice Creams will not weigh exactly the same.

In the UK they offer the following flavours

(check out the Halo Top UK Website for where to purchase)

Syn Values/WW Smart Points are for 1 serving (118ml)

• Vanilla Bean | Syns: 3.5 or WW Smart Points: 3
• Chocolate | Syns: 4 or WW Smart Points: 3
• Mint Chip | Syns: 4 or WW Smart Points: 3
• Peanut Butter Cup | Syns: 4 or WW Smart Points: 3
• Cinnamon Roll | Syns: 4.5 or WW Smart Points: 4
• Sea Salt Caramel | 4 or WW Smart Points: 3
• Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough | Syns: 4.5 or WW Smart Points: 4

In the USA they offer the following flavours:

(check out the Halo Top USA website for where to purchase)

Syn Values/WW Smart Points are for 1 serving (½ cup)

• Vanilla Bean | Syns: 3 or WW Smart Points: 2
• Chocolate | Syns: 3.5 or WW Smart Points: 3
• Lemon Cake | Syns: 3 or WW Smart Points: 2
• Strawberry | Syns: 3.5 or WW Smart Points: 3
• Mint Chip | Syns: 3 or WW Smart Points: 2
• Choc Mocha Chip | Syns: 4 or WW Smart Points: 3
• Birthday Cake | Syns: 3.5 or WW Smart Points: 3
• Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough | Syns: 4.5 or WW Smart Points: 3
• Peanut Butter Cup | Syns: 4 or WW Smart Points: 3
• Cookies and Cream | Syns: 4 or WW Smart Points: 3
• Sea Salt Caramel | 4 or WW Smart Points: 3
• Cinnamon Roll | Syns: 4.5 or WW Smart Points: 4
• S'mores | Syns: 4 or WW Smart Points: 3
• Pistachio | Syns: 3 or WW Smart Points: 2
• Oatmeal Cookie | Syns: 3.5 or WW Smart Points: 3
• Chocolate Almond Crunch | Syns: 4 or WW Smart Points: 3
• Black Cherry | Syns: 3.5  or WW Smart Points: 3
• Red Velvet | Syns: 4.5 or WW Smart Points: 3
• Cinnamon Roll | Syns: 4.5 or WW Smart Points: 4
• Pancakes and Waffles | Syns: 3.5  or WW Smart Points: 3
• Chocolate Covered Banana | Syns: 3.5  or WW Smart Points: 3
• Mocha Green Tea | Syns: 4 or WW Smart Points: 3
• Rainbow Swirl | Syns: 3 or WW Smart Points: 2
• Candy Bar | Syns: 4.5 or WW Smart Points: 3
• Caramel Macchiato | Syns: 3.5  or WW Smart Points: 3
• Pumpkin Pie (seasonal) | Syns: 4.5 or WW Smart Points: 3
• Gingerbread House (seasonal) | Syns: 4.5 or WW Smart Points: 3

plus these Dairy Free Flavours, which are also soy free and Vegan Friendly:

• Caramel Macchiato | Syns: 4 or WW Smart Points: 4
• Chocolate | Syns: 3.5  or WW Smart Points: 3
• Chocolate Covered Banana | Syns: 4 or WW Smart Points: 4
• Cinnamon Roll | Syns: 4.5 or WW Smart Points: 4
• Oatmeal Cookie | Syns: 3.5  or WW Smart Points: 3
• Peanut Butter Cup | Syns: 4 or WW Smart Points: 3
• Sea Salt Caramel | Syns: 4 or WW Smart Points: 4
• Birthday Cake | Syns: 3.5  or WW Smart Points: 3
• Candy Bar | Syns: 4.5 or WW Smart Points: 4
• Chocolate Almond Crunch | Syns: 3.5  or WW Smart Points: 3
• Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough | Syns: 4.5 or WW Smart Points: 4
• Pancakes and Waffles | Syns: 4 or WW Smart Points: 3
• Toasted Coconut |Syns: 4 or WW Smart Points: 4
• Vanilla Maple | Syns: 3.5  or WW Smart Points: 3

Halo Top Ice Cream is also available in Australia, Ireland and Mexico.

For those living in Canada, you will be pleased to know that is was recently announced that Halo Top Ice Cream is soon to be released in Canada. I am not sure yet on flavours, but I would guess it won't be quite as large a selection as available in the USA.

What are the ingredients?

Obviously, they will vary slightly from flavour to flavour, but for most the main ingredient is Milk, Cream and Eggs with Stevia and erythritol sweeteners, as well as Prebiotic Fiber, Milk Protein, Vegetable Glycerin, Cane Sugar, Carob Gum and Guar Gum. Then the other ingredients are for the flavour of each variety.

For the dairy-free options, the main ingredients are Coconut Milk, Rice Protein and Pea Protein and then similar ingredients to the regular flavours above.

You can find the full list of ingredients and nutritional information for each flavour at Halo Top

So which ones have I bought and tested so far:

Birthday Cake - 4 out of 5

I am a sucker for birthday cake ice cream, so this was the first one I tried and I was pleasantly surprised. Usually, when sampling anything with stevia as a sweetener, it can have a bit of a strong aftertaste, but this was lovely and creamy and did have that cake kind of taste if only a hint. The reason I only give 4 out of 5, is because compared to other Birthday Cake ice cream, this was a bit short on the sprinkles and had no cake pieces. But then for only 3.5 syns a serving, that was pretty much to be expected.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough - 3 out of 5

This had a nice flavour, it does have some cookie dough pieces, but not enough for me to give this a higher score. I guess i've been spoilt with amazing Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream.

Oatmeal Cookie - 5 out of 5

I really loved this one - I love oatmeal, and this had a lovely oatmeal cinnamon brown sugar cookie taste to it, with pieces of oatmeal for texture.

Peanut Butter Cup - 2 out of 5

I am really fussy about my peanut butter and really not keen on peanut butter powders. This to me tasted more like peanut butter powder than actual peanut butter, which surprised me as it lists real peanuts in the ingredients.  But I am guessing with the protein powders, it just didn't cut it for me in the taste department. It was edible, but not one of my favourites.

Pancakes and Waffles - 0 out of 5

I'm so sorry Halo Top, but I couldn't even give this a score of 1.  If you have ever been to a cheap American diner and had that horrible artificial syrup that is not even real syrup, then you may understand what this tastes like. Living in Canada and only having good quality Pancakes and Waffles with 100% Maple Syrup I had high expectactions. Everything about this flavour could have been so good, but in fact, it was so very very bad. Horribly bitter and with this very overpowering artificial taste that just was not pleasant. None of my family would eat this, so it sadly ended up in the bin.

I also purchased the following but am yet to taste and give my review, there is only so much ice cream even I can eat in such a small amount of time (watch out for those to be added here soon).

• Candy Bar
• Chocolate Covered Banana
• Rainbow Swirl 
• Red Velvet 
• Sea Salt Caramel

As I purchase more Halo Top Ice Cream flavours, I'll be sure to add those to the list too, although I can't guarantee I'll taste test every flavour they have, some flavours just don't appeal to me.

Wondering what to serve with Halo Top Ice Cream?

Check out some of these recipes:

• Syn Free Classic Belgian Waffles
• Cookies and Cream Oat Bites
• Raspberry and White Chocolate Baked Oatmeal
• Low Syn Bread and Butter Pudding
• S’mores Bread Pudding
• Sticky Toffee Scan Bran Pudding
• Upside Down Cherry Scan Bran Cake
• Chocolate Bread Pudding with Raspberries and Melted White Chocolate

and if you need more recipe ideas – Head on over to my FULL RECIPE INDEX where you will find over 500+ delicious Slimming World recipes to choose from and all are searchable by syn value, meal type, ingredients etc.

I've just been enjoying a serving with some fresh fruit, got to remember those speed foods right? and it's been a great treat in the evening for very little syns.

What is your favourite Halo Top Ice Cream? Which one are you most keen to try?