In 2021, Target launched to the public Favorite Day, its private label brand that, according to the company at that time, “will feature more than 700 high-quality, carefully crafted items across bakery, snacks, candy, premium ice cream, cake decorating supplies, beverage mixers, mocktails and so much more, all at an only-at-Target value.”1 With this assortment comes a dizzying amount of flavors, sure to appeal to all taste buds.
Years have passed, and since then we’ve seen that behind the homestyle appeal that Target has carefully crafted around Favorite Day lies a deeper, darker truth: Favorite Day products are chock full of ingredients that are not only harmful but can have an unfortunate effect on flavor. Case in point, the brand’s Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream.
The Proof is in the Corn Syrup
According to a Tasting Table report, Favorite Day’s Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream contains food coloring, carrageenan, artificial vanilla flavoring, and an excessive amount of high fructose corn syrup.
These ingredients contradict the product’s “homemade” label and suggest a reliance on cost-cutting additives rather than real, high-quality ingredients.
While the packaging discloses some of these ingredients, it seems more like a strategic attempt to appear transparent while downplaying the potential health concerns.
This raises a simple question: How hard is it to make good vanilla ice cream? Clearly, it’s challenging when health and taste aren’t the top priorities.
Favorite Day is in “Good Company”
To be fair, ice cream in itself isn’t considered to be particularly healthy. As outlined by Eat This, Not That! other brands tap into the same harmful ingredients, which can have serious nutritional implications. A few standout products are as follows, based on a single pint:3
- Ben & Jerry’s Chubby Hubby: calories: 1,400; fat: 85 g (saturated fat: 47 g); sodium: 880 mg; carbs: 133 g (fiber: 7 g, sugar: 106 g)
- Häagen-Dazs Rum Tres Leches: calories: 900; fat: 52 g (saturated fat: 33 g); sodium: 250 mg; carbs: 86 g (fiber: 0 g, sugar: 69 g)
- Blue Bunny Twist Pints Blu’s Birthday Cake: calories: 630; fat: 23 g (saturated fat: 18 g); sodium: 220 mg; carbs: 97 g (fiber: <1 g, sugar: 86 g)
- N!ck’s Peanöt Karamell Krunch: calories: 320; fat: 24 g (saturated fat: 13 g); sodium: 640 mg; carbs: 65 g (fiber: 25 g, sugar: 3 g)
- Blue Bell Ice Cream I Heart Cereal: calories: 720; fat: 39 g (saturated fat: 26 g); sodium: 200 mg; carbs: 82 g (fiber: 0 g, sugar: 77 g)
- Halo Top Sea Salt Caramel: calories: 300; fat: 5 g (saturated fat: 3.5 g); sodium: 450 mg; carbs: 68 g (fiber: 18 g, sugar: 29 g)
- Mayfield Creamery Strawberry: calories: 510; fat: 24 g (saturated fat: 15 g); sodium: 150 mg; carbs: 72 g (fiber: 0 g, sugar: 60 g)
However, this does not mean that Favorite Day should get a pass. Rather, the prevalence of such harmful ingredients is a deeper indicator that we must reconsider how we approach ice cream and its nutritional value.
Tasty and Healthier Alternatives to Traditional Ice Cream
If you have a craving for ice cream and must have that sugary scoop, adding fresh berries, bananas, nuts, even chia seeds, can add fresh flavor and deliver a boost in nutrients. Remember, moderation is very important when it comes to foods like ice cream, so these nutrient-rich additions can make an indulgence a bit more acceptable.
Frozen yogurt is a popular alternative that can be just as delicious as ice cream but typically contains less fat (ice cream is made with cream). However, be sure to assess these products before purchasing them because in some cases there will be added sugar.
Also, consider opting for chocolate-dipped frozen bananas instead of ice cream. Not only are these tasty with just the right amount of sweetness and coldness but also allow you to capitalize on the nutritional goodness of a banana. Any other opportunities to incorporate fruit in a similar manner are an excellent alternative to ice cream.
Key Takeaways
- Favorite Day’s Vanilla Ice Cream contains artificial flavors, food coloring, and high fructose corn syrup, compromising both health and taste.
- Other leading ice cream brands also rely on harmful ingredients, but that doesn’t excuse poor quality in private-label products.
- Consumers should read ingredient lists carefully and opt for healthier alternatives when possible.
- Simple swaps—like frozen yogurt or fruit-based desserts—can satisfy cravings while supporting better health choices.
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References
- Target’s Newest Owned Brand is About to Become Your *Favorite* Indulgence. Target website. https://corporate.target.com/news-features/article/2021/03/favorite-day March 9, 2021
- The Popular Vanilla Ice Cream Brand You Should Avoid At All Costs. Tasting Table website. https://www.tastingtable.com/1726214/vanilla-ice-cream-brand-avoid/ December 7, 2024.
- 15 Unhealthiest Ice Cream Pints on Grocery Shelves. Eat This, Not That! website. https://www.eatthis.com/unhealthiest-ice-cream-pints/ June 28, 2024.