You’re standing in the freezer aisle at Target. It’s 9:00 PM on a Tuesday. You want a pint of ice cream, but you also don't want to feel like you just drank a cup of melted lard before bed. You see the colorful pints. One says Halo Top. Another says Nick's. But right there, usually a dollar or two cheaper, is the Target store brand. Favorite day low calorie ice cream stares back at you with its bold "70 calories per serving" labels.
Is it actually good? Honestly, it depends on your expectations. If you expect it to taste like premium Haagen-Dazs, you’re going to be disappointed. Period. High-protein, low-sugar ice cream is a feat of food engineering, not a miracle of nature. But if you know how to handle these pints, they are a total game-changer for weight management.
The Science of the "Chalky" Texture
Most people complain that favorite day low calorie ice cream is too hard or chalky. There’s a biological reason for that. Standard ice cream is loaded with milk fat. Fat doesn't freeze into a solid block; it stays soft. When you strip away the fat and replace it with erythritol and milk protein concentrate, you’re basically freezing water and protein.
Water turns to ice. Hard ice.
To fix this, food scientists at Target (and their manufacturing partners) use soluble corn fiber and gums like guar gum and carob bean gum. These ingredients try to mimic the "mouthfeel" of fat. They do a decent job, but they can't fight the laws of physics. If you eat it straight out of the freezer, it’ll feel like you’re digging into a literal brick of flavored snow.
The 10-Minute Rule is non-negotiable. You have to let the pint sit on the counter. Seriously. Ten minutes. Some people even microwave it for 15 seconds. This allows the stabilizers to soften and the erythritol to lose that weird "cooling" sensation on the tongue. Once it melts slightly at the edges, the texture transforms from "frozen protein powder" to "actual dessert."
✨ Don't miss: The Long Haired Russian Cat Explained: Why the Siberian is Basically a Living Legend
Favorite Day vs. Halo Top: The Real Difference
Everyone wants to know if the Target version is just a knockoff. In many ways, it is. But the nutritional profiles aren't identical.
Take the Peanut Butter Chocolate flavor. A pint of favorite day low calorie ice cream usually clocks in around 330 to 360 calories for the whole container. That is shockingly low. Most Halo Top flavors sit in the same range, but Target’s version often feels a bit "airier." This is due to overrun. Overrun is the amount of air pumped into ice cream during the churning process. Cheaper low-calorie ice creams often have higher overrun, which makes the pint feel lighter in your hand.
However, Target wins on price. Usually, you’re looking at a $1.50 to $2.00 savings per pint. If you’re a daily "pint-a-night" eater, that adds up to nearly $60 a month. That’s a phone bill.
Ingredients: What Are You Actually Eating?
Let’s look at the back of the label. You’ll see "Milk Protein Concentrate" near the top. This is the secret sauce. It provides the structure. Then you have the sweeteners. Target primarily uses a mix of:
- Erythritol: A sugar alcohol that has almost zero calories and doesn't spike blood sugar.
- Stevia Leaf Extract: For extra sweetness without the chemical aftertaste of aspartame.
- Cane Sugar: Just a little bit, usually, to keep the flavor profile grounded in reality.
It's important to mention the fiber. Soluble corn fiber is a "functional" ingredient. It adds bulk. It also means these pints have a significant amount of dietary fiber—sometimes 15 to 20 grams per pint. If your body isn't used to high fiber intake, eating a whole pint of favorite day low calorie ice cream in one sitting might lead to... well, some digestive "surprises." Ease into it.
🔗 Read more: Why Every Mom and Daughter Photo You Take Actually Matters
Flavor Power Rankings
Not all flavors are created equal. Some are triumphs of modern chemistry. Others taste like flavored cardboard.
- Mocha Mudslide: This is arguably the best in the lineup. The coffee flavor masks the "protein" aftertaste that plagues lighter desserts. The swirl is actually gooey.
- Mint Chip: Very polarizing. The "chips" are more like waxy flakes, but the peppermint oil provides a natural freshness that hides the artificial sweeteners.
- Cookie Dough: A bit of a letdown. The dough pieces are tiny and often hard. If you want cookie dough, you might be better off buying the full-fat version and just eating less of it.
The Dark Side of "Healthy" Marketing
There is a psychological trap here. It’s called the Health Halo Effect. When we see a pint that says "low calorie," our brains give us permission to eat the entire thing. While 350 calories is better than 1,200 calories for a standard pint of Ben & Jerry’s, it’s still 350 calories of processed food.
Dr. Brian Wansink, a famous (though controversial) food psychologist, often noted that people tend to overeat foods they perceive as "fit" or "healthy." You might find yourself eating a whole pint of favorite day low calorie ice cream plus a bag of low-calorie popcorn, whereas you might have been satisfied with three bites of the real stuff.
Also, consider the sugar alcohols. Erythritol is generally safe, but for some, it causes bloating. If you find yourself feeling like a parade float after your dessert, the sugar alcohol is the likely culprit.
How to Make It Taste "Premium"
If you want to elevate the experience, don't just eat it plain. Because it’s so low in calories, you have "budget" left over for toppings.
💡 You might also like: Sport watch water resist explained: why 50 meters doesn't mean you can dive
A tablespoon of actual peanut butter or a few crushed walnuts adds the fats that the ice cream is missing. This fixes the mouthfeel issue instantly. The fat coats your tongue, making the low-calorie base taste much richer than it actually is.
Another pro tip: Salt. A tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on the chocolate or caramel flavors cuts through the sweetness of the stevia. It makes the whole thing taste "expensive."
Why the Price Matters in 2026
We’ve seen massive inflation in the grocery sector over the last few years. Premium "diet" brands have crossed the $7 or even $8 mark in some urban markets. Target’s ability to keep favorite day low calorie ice cream under the $5 mark is a major reason for its cult following. It’s accessible.
It’s a "pantry staple" ice cream rather than a "luxury treat."
Actionable Steps for Your Next Target Trip
Don't just grab a random pint. Follow these steps to ensure you actually enjoy your purchase:
- Check the "Best By" Date: Low-calorie ice cream is prone to freezer burn because it lacks the protective fat barrier. Pick the freshest pint from the back of the freezer.
- The Squeeze Test: Give the pint a very gentle squeeze. If it feels hollow or "crunchy," it has likely melted and refrozen, which creates massive ice crystals. You want it to feel solid but smooth.
- Start with Mocha or Chocolate: These are the most stable flavors. Avoid the fruity ones for your first try, as they can sometimes have a "sorbet" texture that feels thin.
- Temper the Pint: As mentioned, let it sit on your counter for 10-12 minutes. If you can't wait, 15 seconds in the microwave on 50% power works wonders.
- Add a Fat Source: Mix in a few almonds or a drizzle of almond butter to improve the creaminess and satiety.
Favorite day low calorie ice cream isn't perfect, but it is a tool. It's a way to satisfy a craving without derailing a week of hard work at the gym. It requires a little patience and the right strategy, but for the price point, it’s one of the most effective "diet hacks" currently sitting on grocery shelves.