Halo Top Just Launched a Keto-Friendly Ice Cream Line—Here's Why Our Dietitian Thinks You're Better Off with Ben & Jerry's

Halo Top is coming to the rescue for low-carb dieters with their Keto Series line. Pints come in seven flavors, including Peanut Butter Chocolate, Berry Swirl, Jelly Donut, Chocolate Cheesecake, Caramel Butter Pecan, Banana Pie and White Chocolaty Macadamia Nut. The Keto Series products have only 5-10 grams of net carbohydrates and 17-22 grams of protein per pint. Sounds too good to be true, right? Our dietitian thinks so.

While these low-calorie and low-carb ice cream lines are popping up all over the frozen section of your local grocery store (and social media), Lisa Valente, M.S., R.D., EatingWell's senior nutrition editor, actually believes you're better off enjoying some good old fashioned ice cream.

While these "lighter" ice cream brands tout that you can eat a whole pint without wrecking your diet, the suggested serving size on the nutrition label is still only 2/3 cup (the same as any other ice cream). Devouring a whole pint simply because you can isn't the healthiest mindset, since it encourages you to ignore your body's fullness cues.

Plus, the flavors in this Keto Series range between 410 to 630 calories per pint, which is much higher than most of us would consume if we just had two scoops of ice cream. Valente also wonders if a whole pint of Halo Top is really as satisfying as a scoop of the full-sugar stuff.

This "satisfaction factor" can actually turn into trouble for those seeking to enjoy lighter alternatives to their favorite treats while dieting. Valente says research shows that when people drank a shake they were told was healthier for them, they tended to consume more calories afterwards than those who were told the same shake was indulgent.

"We all need to treat ourselves once in a while," Valente says. "Maybe it's a pedicure, maybe it's a dinner out and maybe it's ice cream. Sure, you could eat a pint of ice cream every day, but wouldn't it lose some of its appeal? Halo Top's packaging and slogans are designed to encourage you to eat the whole pint. It's great marketing, but not so great for sensible eating."

However, if you're following a low-carb diet or you're trying to manage a chronic condition like diabetes, picking up a pint might be a fun way to enjoy something sweet. Just make sure to only eat if it truly brings you pleasure—and stick to the serving size!