7 Best Ice Cream Brands Without the Junk | XpertsReviews.com

These ice creams rely on cream and eggs, not gums or stabilizers.

Is your ice cream made with gums or stabilizers? “Gums are thickening agents added to ice cream to improve texture, prevent ice crystals, and extend shelf life,” explains Tara Collingwood, MS, RDN, CSSD, LD/N, ACSM-CPT, certified sports dietitian and co-author of the Flat stomach recipe book for dummies. Common examples include guar gum, xanthan gum, locust bean gum, and carrageenan. “They are derived from plants or algae and are widely used in processed foods,” she said. Why do brands use them? They can perform a variety of functions, including preventing fat and water from separating, improving creaminess, and maintaining consistency during freezing and thawing. Although gum is not “toxic,” there are reasons why some choose to avoid or limit it. Collingwood says they can cause bloating or gastrointestinal discomfort in some people. They are also often used to compensate for lower quality dairy products or reduced fat content, and do not add nutrients either. “Gums allow manufacturers to create creaminess without real cream or eggs,” she says. “Ice cream made without gum relies more on traditional techniques: cream, eggs and careful churning,” she says. “For people with sensitive digestion or those looking to reduce ultra-processed ingredients, these brands show that less processing can still mean great texture and flavor.” Here are 6 ice creams she recommends made without gums or stabilizers.

Jeni’s splendid ice creams

Jeni’s uses a custard-like base with milk, cream and egg yolks for texture instead of gummies. “Egg yolks act as natural emulsifiers, making them a more traditional and digestively gentle option for many people,” says Collingwood.

McConnell fine ice cream

McConnell’s Fine Ice Cream is an old-fashioned brand that relies on high-fat cream and eggs, not stabilizers. “Better quality dairy products reduce the need for additives and create satiety with smaller portions,” says Collingwood.

Haagen-Dazs

Häagen-Dazs is known for its extremely short ingredient lists, often just cream, milk, sugar and eggs. “This is a classic example of how real ingredients create natural creaminess – no stabilizers needed,” says the expert.

Straus Family Creamery

Straus Family Creamery is an organic dairy brand with a minimal and transparent ingredient list. “This appeals to consumers who favor organic sourcing and simpler formulations without functional additives,” says Collingwood.

Alec’s ice cream

Alec’s ice cream is made with grass-fed milk and eggs, avoiding gummies while emphasizing dairy quality. “Better milk quality often means better fat composition and better flavor, which again reduces the need for stabilizers,” says Collingwood.

Penn State Creamery

Penn State Creamery uses a traditional custard technique “rooted in food science and dairy craftsmanship,” Collingwood says. “This is a classic example of how ice cream was made before stabilizers became the industry standard.”6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

Lea Groth