Quick answer
Halo Top (Level 4) is more processed than Ben & Jerry's (Level 3-4). Halo Top uses erythritol, stevia, prebiotic fiber, and milk protein concentrate, each replacing a whole food ingredient with an industrial alternative. Ben & Jerry's uses more traditional ice cream ingredients but still includes industrial stabilizers and corn syrup. Neither is minimally processed; Haagen-Dazs (5 ingredients, Level 2) remains the cleanest mainstream option.
Processing levels can vary significantly between brands and specific products within each category. Always check the ingredient list of the specific product you are considering. Use our product search to look up exact processing scores. These comparisons evaluate processing level and ingredient composition only. They do not account for taste, price, convenience, cultural significance, or individual dietary needs.
How do they compare by the numbers?
Sample products from each
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Frequently asked questions
Is Halo Top or Ben & Jerry's more processed?
Halo Top is more processed. It replaces cream with skim milk, sugar with erythritol and stevia, and adds milk protein concentrate and prebiotic fiber for texture. Ben & Jerry's uses more traditional ingredients (cream, sugar, egg yolks) but still includes guar gum, carrageenan, and corn syrup. Halo Top has more industrial substitutions per pint.
Which has fewer calories?
Halo Top, significantly. A full pint of Halo Top is 280-360 calories; a pint of Ben & Jerry's is 1,000-1,400. But Halo Top achieves this through industrial sugar and fat substitutes, not simpler ingredients. Lower calorie does not mean less processed.