My Favorite Guilt-Free Snack

Protein/Low Cal ice creams are really trendy right now. I hypothesize that’s because as more and more people turn to healthy living, more and more people are looking for a way to appease their sweet tooth in a way that won’t be totally out of line with their clean(er) eating.

Like most people, I’ve tried a few options. I’ve tried Skinny Cow (pretty good, not that good for you), Halo Top (most flavors are alright, but it still has a bit of a chalky taste) and my least favorite, Arctic Zero (tasted like flavored water: watered down, weak, fake). I know taste results really varies by flavor—some are chalkier and weaker than others. That brings me to my latest discovery: enlightened.

Enlightened reached out to me a week or two ago and asked if I’d like to try some of their ice cream. Being a human, I of course said yes. I received them last week, packed nice and safe in a cooler with dry ice. I’ve been working my way through trying the flavors I was sent, and I’m not kidding, I love every single flavor. Every. Single. One. Their Frozen Hot Chocolate flavor (only 450 cals PER PINT!) is actually my favorite ice cream flavor I’ve ever had, period (not counting my ride or die, pistachio gelato).

So far, I’ve tested Frozen Hot Chocolate, Carmel Oatmeal Cookie Crunch and Cookie Dough, and guys, I’m not joking, they’re all delicious. You genuinely can’t tell that they’re not good old, terrible-for-you ice cream. They’re creamy, flavorful, have zero aftertaste, and come in a really incredible variety of flavors. Like many of the healthy alternatives, I find it’s best to let them soften a tad (for about 10 minutes) before diving in. 100% worth the wait.

From what I can tell, they have a pretty extensive line of healthy snacks, including ice cream bars, the pints of ice cream I tried, and other “hand held” snacks like roasted bean crisps that come in a variety of flavors, both sweet and savory.

The tricky bit is finding them in store. If you’re in Chicago, I’m already pestering Plum Market in Old Town to stock the pints, but Mariano’s sells the bars, Whole Foods carries the bars and crisps, and GNC and Vitamin Shoppe sell the crisps! To see the closest location to you, click here! And guys. Look at these bars. Omg.

The Pints aren’t available in store anywhere in Chicago that I can see, but luckily you can get them online here. Like I mentioned, mine arrived frozen solid, even after they sat in the package room at my apartment all day. Dry Ice is pretty amazing like that. So no need to worry they won’t be frozen when they get to you if you order them online. They will. At $6 a pint, they’re competitively priced and are the perfect protein packed snack to satiate your sweet tooth!

Be sure to follow them on instagram at @eatenlightened!

--B

Full disclosure: While I received this product to try for free, the opinions expressed are my own and I am not receiving monetary compensation.