Gelato is a frozen Italian dessert that comes in a variety of yummy flavors. The main ingredients in gelato are milk, sugar, and flavoring ingredients. We know that traditional gelato is not dairy-free, but is it gluten-free?
Traditional gelato is gluten-free. However, some flavors do contain gluten, such as cookie dough or cookies ‘n cream. Always check the ingredients label to be sure. The best gluten-free and healthier gelato alternatives are Rebel Black Raspberry Ice Cream, Halo Top Peanut Butter Cup Light Ice Cream, NICKS Swedish Mint Chip, and Two Spoons Fudgy Brownie Keto Ice Cream.
Now, let’s learn more about gelato, the nutritional content, and discuss some healthy alternatives to gelato. Ready to dig in?
Contents
What Is Gelato?
To put it simply, gelato is the Italian word for ice cream. It is made using the same ingredients as traditional ice cream but in different amounts. Gelato is served cold, containing 70 percent less air than ice cream, and has additional flavoring than other frozen desserts, making it more rich and dense in texture.
That being said, gelato is similar to American ice cream but has its own uniqueness. Although gelato may be a healthier option than ice cream, it is still not the most nutritious food option available. Gelato contains lots of sugars and fats, so we recommend that you consume it in moderation.
Foods that are high in fat and sugar are not always bad for you, but it depends on which fats and sugars you choose. You can find healthy fats in foods like avocado, eggs, fatty fish, and nuts.
If you are going to consume sugar, it is healthier to choose naturally sweetened foods, like fruit, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains.
Moderation is key: you should always be able to enjoy things you love but just try not to overindulge to avoid piling up the calories.
Gelato Nutritional Information
Talenti Caramel Cookie Crunch Gelato
Talenti products are certified and crafted with non-GMO ingredients. In addition, Talenti does not use high fructose corn syrup in any of its frozen dessert products. This product is not gluten-free because it contains enriched flour, which contains wheat flour.
Ingredients:
- Milk
- Sugar
- Cream
- Skim Milk
- Coconut
- Palm Oil
- Soybean Oil
- Dextrose
- Cocoa (Processed with Alkali)
- Wheat Flour
- Niacin
- Reduce Iron
- Thiamin
- Mononitrate
- Riboflavin
- Folic Acid
- Corn Syrup
- Sunflower Lecithin
- Carob Bean Gum
- Vanilla Extract
- Guar Gum
- Baking Soda
- Dried Cane Syrup
- Cocoa
- Soy Lecithin
- Natural Flavor
- Corn Starch
- Salt
Nutritional Facts (Per ⅔ Cup):
- 280 Calories
- 13 g Total Fat
- 8 g Saturated Fat
- 40 mg Cholesterol
- 80 mg Sodium
- 36 g Total Carbohydrates
- 1 g Dietary Fiber
- 25 g Sugars
- 5 g Protein
Talenti Mediterranean Mint Gelato
Talenti Mediterranean mint uses natural mints to get the perfect taste. It is marked gluten-free, but we recommend you check the ingredients label to be sure.
Ingredients:
- Milk
- Sugar
- Cream
- Chocolate
- Dextrose
- Milk Fat
- Cocoa Butter
- Sunflower Lecithin
- Carob Bean Gum
- Natural Flavor
- Guar Gum
- Chocolate (pressed with Alkali)
- Vanilla Extract
- Soy Lecithin
- Mint Leaf Extractives
Nutritional Facts (Per ⅔ Cup):
- 290 Calories
- 14 g Total Fat
- 8 g Saturated Fat
- 40 mg Cholesterol
- 65 mg Sodium
- 37 g Total Carbohydrates
- 0 g Dietary Fiber
- 35 g Sugars
- 5 g Protein
Breyers Gelato Indulgences Vanilla Caramel
This gelato product is advertised as gluten-free, egg-free, fish-free, peanut-free, shellfish-free, and wheat-free.
Ingredients:
- Skim Milk
- Corn Syrup
- Sugar
- Milk
- Coconut Oil
- Whey
- Butter
- Milk Fat
- Pectin
- Cocoa Butter
- Vegetable Gums
- Mono & Diglycerides
- Natural Flavors
- Soy Lecithin
- Sodium Bicarbonate
- Salt
- Cocoa Powder
- Lactase
- Annatto
- PGPR
- Water
Nutritional Facts (Per 0.67 cup):
- 220 Calories
- 8 g Total Fat
- 7 g Saturated Fat
- 10 mg Cholesterol
- 85 mg Sodium
- 34 g Total Carbohydrates
- 0 g Dietary Fiber
- 25 g Sugars
- 4 g Protein
Breyers Gelato Indulgences Raspberry Cheesecake Gelato
Unlike the other Breyers flavor, this is not gluten-free. This gelato product contains wheat and possible other gluten derivatives.
Ingredients:
- Milk
- Sugar
- Cream
- Corn Syrup
- Dextrose
- Cream Cheese
- Whey
- Raspberry Puree Concentrate
- Water
- Wheat Flour
- Brown Sugar
- Vegetable Gums
- Natural Flavor
- Mono & Diglycerides
- Honey
- Butter
- Pasteurized Eggs
- Whole Wheat
- Graham Flour
- Beet Juice Concentrate
- Canola Oil
- Citric Acid
- Salt
- Sodium Bicarbonate
- Soy Lecithin
- Carrageenan
- Molasses
- Ascorbic Acid
- Annatto
- Vitamin A Palmitate
Nutritional Facts (Per 0.5 Cup):
- 150 Calories
- 5 g Total Fat
- 3 g Saturated Fat
- 15 mg Cholesterol
- 50 mg Sodium
- 25 g Total Carbohydrates
- 0 g Dietary Fiber
- 20 g Sugars
- 2 g Protein
Healthy Alternatives to Gelato
Rebel Black Raspberry Ice Cream
Rebel ice cream is low carb and keto-friendly. Although it contains milk and egg, it does not have any gluten products, making this a gluten-free option. This product also offers sources of vitamin D, calcium, iron, and potassium.
Ingredients:
- Cream
- Water
- Erythritol
- Black Raspberries
- Vegetable Glycerin
- Egg Yolks
- Chicory Root Fiber
- Milk Protein Isolate
- Natural Flavor
- Peruvian Carob Gum
- Guar Gum
- Salt
- Citric Acid
- Monk Fruit
- Carob Gum
Nutritional Facts (Per ⅔ cup):
- 180 Calories
- 16 g Total Fat
- 10 g Saturated Fat
- 85 mg Cholesterol
- 60 mg Sodium
- 17 g Total Carbohydrates
- 2 g Dietary Fiber
- 1 g Sugar
- 2 g Protein
Halo Top Peanut Butter Cup Light Ice Cream
Halo top ice cream is lower in fat and sugar than regular ice cream. It is a delicious, low-calorie dessert that delivers a good source of protein and dietary fiber. This product is advertised as gluten-free.
Ingredients:
- Ultrafiltered Skim Milk
- Skim Milk
- Erythritol
- Soluble Corn Fiber
- Cream
- Sugar
- Peanuts
- Vegetable Glycerine
- Egg Yolks
- Inulin
- Natural Flavors
- Chocolate Extract
- Peanut Oil
- Salt
- Cellulose Gel
- Cellulose Gum
- Stevia Extract
- Caramel Color
- Vitamin A Palmitate
Nutritional Facts (Per ⅔ cup):
- 110 Calories
- 4 g Total Fat
- 1.5 g Saturated Fat
- 25 mg Cholesterol
- 110 mg Sodium
- 21 g Total Carbohydrates
- 6 g Dietary Fiber
- 3 g Sugar
- 7 g Protein
NICKS Swedish Mint Chip Ice Cream
NICKS Swedish Mint Chip ice cream contains no added sugar and 5 grams net carbs per pint. This brand is a Swedish-style light ice cream that is plant-based and lactose-free, and 100 percent vegan. In addition to being vegan, this flavor is gluten-free.
Ingredients:
- Filtered Water
- EPG (modified plant-based oils)
- Soluble Corn Fiber
- Coconut Oil
- Allulose
- Chocolatey Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Erythritol
- Sunflower Oil
- Sunflower Lecithin
- Salt
- Cocoa Processed with Alkali
- Natural Flavor
- Stevia Leaf Extract
- Mont Fruit Extract
- Non-Animal Whey Protein
- Acacia Gum
- Almond Protein
- Peppermint Extract
- Dipotassium Phosphate
- Guar Gum
- Salt
- Colored with Vegetable Juice and Turmeric
- Tara Gum
- Steviol Glycosides
- Carob Gum
Nutritional Facts (Per ⅔ cup):
- 90 Calories
- 7 g Total Fat
- 7 g Saturated Fat
- 60 mg Sodium
- 18 g Total Carbohydrates
- 6 g Dietary Fiber
- 0 g Sugars
- 2 g Protein
Two Spoons Fudgy Brownie Keto Ice Cream
This fudgy brownie ice cream has just 2g net carbs per serving. Two Spoons ice cream also offers sources of vitamin D, calcium, and potassium. They are not only keto-friendly but also gluten-free.
Ingredients:
- Cream
- Water
- Brownie Chunks
- Allulose
- Vegetable Glycerin
- Erythritol
- Cacao
- Cocoa Powder
- Chicory Root Fiber
- Milk Protein Isolate
- Locust Bean Gum
- Tara Gum
- Monk Fruit Extract
Nutritional Facts (Per ⅔ cup):
- 190 Calories
- 16 g Total Fat
- 8 g Saturated Fat
- 0.8 g Polyunsaturated Fat
- 4.1 g Monounsaturated Fat
- 45 mg Cholesterol
- 20 mg Sodium
- 13 g Total Carbohydrates
- 6 g Dietary Fiber
- 1 g Sugars
- 4 g Protein
Final Thoughts
Aside from the famous Talenti gelato, many alternatives listed above may be a better fit for your diet. Some are gluten-free, while others are keto-friendly.
If you are looking for an ice cream containing no-added sugar, low in carbs, and has very few calories per serving, then Nick’s ice cream is a great option.
Since gelato can be served in ice cream shops and can come with added flavors, we recommend reading the product labels. We cannot guarantee there is not a possibility of gluten cross-contamination. If your ice cream contains additional flavors or add-ons, then it has a chance of containing other ingredients that may not fit your dietary needs.
There are so many ice cream options to choose from that you do not have to miss out on your favorite dessert. Gelato, like ice cream, can be enjoyed in moderation. I hope you are able to check out one of the yummy flavors we touched on today.
Related Questions
Is Gelato Vegan?
The simple answer is no. Gelato is not vegan because it contains milk, which is an animal by-product. In addition to milk, gelato can sometimes have eggs. Individuals who follow a vegan diet do not eat animal or animal by-products.
Is Gelato Better For You Than Ice Cream?
Yes, gelato usually contains fewer calories, less sugar, and lower fat than traditional American ice cream. But they are both packed with sugar, so if you have diabetes, we recommend reading the product labels carefully.
Is Gelato Dairy-Free?
By nature, gelato is gluten-free, but it is not dairy-free. Gelato is typically made with milk and cream. With that being said, if you have a dairy intolerance, we do not recommend consuming gelato.