If you’re trying to reduce your intake of ultra-processed foods, ice cream might seem like one of the first treats you’d need to give up. We’ll the good news? You actually don’t. You can find non UPF ice cream in the UK supermarkets, and so I thought it would be useful to pull together the ones I have found in my ultimate guide to UPF free ice cream in the UK.
Non-UPF Ice Cream
While many supermarket ice creams contain emulsifiers, stabilisers, flavourings and other additives that place them firmly in the ultra-processed category, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy delicious ice cream without loading up on UPFs.
So let me take you through what makes ice cream ultra-processed, how to spot genuinely non-UPF ice cream, and the best ways to enjoy a UPF-free ice cream.
UPF-Free Ice Cream
Is Ice Cream Always Ultra-Processed?
No. Contrary to what some social media posts suggest, ice cream is not automatically a UPF.
If you’ve ever made it, you’ll know that traditional ice cream is made from just a handful of ingredients like milk, cream, sugar, egg yolks and natural flavourings such as vanilla.
These are ingredients that most people could use in their own kitchens.
Problems arise when manufacturers start adding things like emulsifiers, stabilising gums, artificial flavourings, colourings, modified starches and sweeteners. Yuck! The longer the ingredient list becomes, the more likely the product is to be classified as ultra-processed.
What Does Non-UPF Ice Cream Look Like?
A non-UPF ice cream typically has a short ingredient list containing ingredients you recognise immediately.
A good example might contain:
- Fresh milk
- Double cream
- Sugar
- Egg yolks
- Vanilla extract
That’s it. If you can imagine making it yourself at home, it’s usually a good sign.
Ingredients to Watch Out For
When shopping for UPF-free ice cream, turn the tub around and check the label.
Common ingredients that often indicate ultra-processing include:
Emulsifiers like mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids, E471, and polysorbates
Stabilising gums like guar gum, xanthan gum, locust bean gum and carrageenan
Artificial ingredients like artificial flavourings, artificial sweeteners and artificial colourings.
While some of these ingredients are considered safe, if you are avoiding UPFs, you might want to choose products without them.
Why Do Manufacturers Add These Ingredients?
The answer is simple: consistency and shelf life. Additives help ice cream stay soft in the freezer, whilst resisting melting. They also maintain their texture during transport and will last longer in storage. They’re useful for manufacturers, but not always necessary for consumers looking for more natural foods.
The Best Non-UPF Ice Creams in the UK Supermarkets
Availability changes regularly, but these tips can help you identify suitable options.
Look for premium ice cream as premium brands often contain more cream, more milk and fewer additives. Here are my top picks from what’s available at UK supermarkets.
M&S Only 5 Ingredients Heather Honey Ice Cream available from Ocado.
https://www.ocado.com/products/m-s-only-5-ingredients-heather-honey-ice-cream/688271011
Sainsbury’s Strawberries & Clotted Cream Ice Cream, Taste the Difference
Morrisons The Best Madagascan Vanilla Ice Cream
https://groceries.morrisons.com/products/morrisons-the-best-madagascan-vanilla-ice-cream/114098801
Haagen-Dazs Vanilla Ice Cream available from Tesco, Sainsbury, Ocado, Morrisons and more.
https://www.tesco.com/shop/en-GB/products/300111312
Sainsbury’s Vanilla Ice Cream, Taste the Difference
https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/sainsburys-vanilla-ice-cream-taste-the-difference-480ml
Duchy Organic Vanilla Ice Cream available from Waitrose
https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/duchy-organic-vanilla-ice-cream/524052-752937-752938
Haagen-Dazs Strawberry & Cream Ice Cream available from Tesco, Sainsbury, Ocado, Morrisons and more.
https://groceries.morrisons.com/products/haagen-dazs-strawberry-cream-ice-cream/109702698
Ottolenghi Coffee & Cardamom Ice Cream available from Waitrose
https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/ottolenghi-coffee-cardamom-ice-cream/912164-850074-850075
M&S Only 8 Ingredients Dark Chocolate Ice Cream available from Ocado.
https://www.ocado.com/products/m-s-only-8-ingredients-dark-chocolate-ice-cream/688439011
No.1 Madagascan Vanilla Ice Cream available from Waitrose
https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/no1-madagascan-vanilla-ice-cream/089682-46236-46237
Yeo Valley Organic Madagascan Vanilla Ice Cream available from Waitrose
Yeo Valley Organic Summer Berry Ice Cream available from Ocado.
https://www.ocado.com/products/yeo-valley-organic-summer-berry-ice-cream/683290011
Morrisons The Best Caffe Latte Ice Cream
https://groceries.morrisons.com/products/morrisons-the-best-caffe-latte-ice-cream/114098755
Yeo Valley Organic Blueberry & Lemon Curd Ice Cream available from Waitrose
https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/yeo-valley-organic-blueberry-lemon-curd-ice-cream/955938-1-2
Dairy Free Non UPF Free Ice Cream
These ice creams are not only dairy free but also UPF free. They are lovely too. We always buy these. These are also perfect if you are looking for gluten free UPF free ice cream.
Booja Booja Organic Chocolate Salted Caramel Ice Cream available from Ocado.
https://www.ocado.com/products/booja-booja-organic-chocolate-salted-caramel-ice-cream/348604011
Booja-Booja Cookie Dough Dairy Free Ice Cream is available from Ocado.
https://www.ocado.com/products/booja-booja-cookie-dough-dairy-free-ice-cream/600741011
Booja-Booja Vanilla Dairy Free Ice Cream available from Ocado.
https://www.ocado.com/products/booja-booja-vanilla-dairy-free-ice-cream/672653011
Choosing one of these is perfect for those who are looking for a gluten free non UPF ice cream which is also dairy free. Yum!
Check Local Farm Shops
Many farm-produced ice creams use traditional recipes and short ingredient lists, so you can have a look here and also at farmers’ markets.
If you are looking for UPF free ice cream, I suggest you read every label and never assume a product is non-UPF because it looks premium or expensive. Always check the ingredients.
Is Vanilla Ice Cream Usually Non-UPF?
Sometimes. Traditional vanilla ice cream can be one of the easiest varieties to find without UPFs because it requires very few ingredients. However, most supermarket versions contain stabilisers, emulsifiers and artificial vanilla flavouring. Again, the ingredient list tells the real story, so start here first.
Is Gelato Better Than Ice Cream?
Not necessarily. Gelato often contains less fat and more milk than traditional ice cream, but it can still be ultra-processed if additives are included. Some artisan gelato makers use very simple recipes, while others rely on commercial mixes containing stabilisers and flavourings.
The Easiest Non-UPF Ice Cream Recipe
One of the simplest ways to avoid UPFs is to make your own. I have a lovely recipe.
Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream
Ingredients
500ml double cream
300ml whole milk
100g caster sugar
4 egg yolks
1 tsp vanilla extract
Method
- Heat the milk and cream gently.
- Whisk the egg yolks and sugar together.
- Slowly combine the mixtures.
- Cook gently until thickened.
- Chill completely.
- Churn in an ice cream maker or freeze and stir every hour.
The result is a rich, creamy ice cream made entirely from recognisable ingredients.
The Simplest UPF-Free Ice Cream of All
If you want something even easier, frozen bananas are your friend.
Simply:
- Slice ripe bananas.
- Freeze them.
- Blend until smooth.
The result has a surprisingly ice-cream-like texture with no added ingredients whatsoever.
You can also add:
Strawberries
Blueberries
Peanut butter
Cocoa powder
for different flavours.
Does Non-UPF Ice Cream Taste Different?
Many people find that it does. I do too. I think it’s because traditional ice cream contains more cream and fewer additives, I find it has a richer flavour with a creamier, yummier texture. You’ll also find it’s less sweet as there aren’t any artificial sweeteners. It will melt slightly faster, but that’s often a sign that it contains fewer stabilisers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Häagen-Dazs non-UPF?
Some Häagen-Dazs flavours contain relatively few ingredients compared with many competitors, but recipes vary. Always check the ingredient list of the specific flavour you’re buying.
Is homemade ice cream non-UPF?
Usually yes, provided you’re using simple ingredients without additives.
Can I buy UPF-free ice cream in supermarkets?
Yes. Some products contain very short ingredient lists, though availability varies by retailer and flavour. See my list above.
Is frozen yoghurt non-UPF?
Sometimes. Many frozen yoghurts contain stabilisers and flavourings, so check the ingredients carefully. Check my guide to UPF free yoghurts and freeze some for yourself.
What’s the easiest way to identify non-UPF ice cream?
Look for short ingredient lists and avoid products containing emulsifiers, stabilisers and artificial additives.
Using my handy supermarket list of UPF free ice creams is the easy way to find non-UPF free ice creams. If you are shopping around, the key is to stop looking at the front of the tub and start looking at the ingredients on the back.
The best non-UPF ice creams tend to have short ingredient lists built around simple ingredients such as milk, cream, sugar and eggs. You can also take a look at local farm shops, artisan producers or even farmers’ markets.
There’s no reason you can’t enjoy an ice cream while keeping ultra-processed foods to a minimum.
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