Ben & Jerry’s ice cream is known for its delicious flavors and creamy texture. One of their most popular flavors is Half Baked, which combines chocolate and vanilla ice creams together with brownies and chocolate chip cookie dough pieces mixed in. With all of those tasty mix-ins, it’s easy to overindulge in this flavor without realizing just how many calories you’re taking in.
Serving Size
To determine how many calories are in a tub of Half Baked ice cream, we first need to know the serving size. Ben & Jerry’s packages their ice cream in pint-sized containers. Each pint contains 4 servings at 1/2 cup each. Therefore, a full pint of Half Baked contains 4 servings of 1/2 cup, or 2 cups total.
Calories per Serving
According to the Ben & Jerry’s website, a 1/2 cup serving (or half a cup) of Half Baked ice cream contains:
- Calories: 280
- Total Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
- Sodium: 180mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 33g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 24g
- Protein: 5g
As you can see, just a single half cup serving packs quite a caloric punch at 280 calories. It also contains significant amounts of fat, cholesterol, and sugar.
Calories in a Full Pint
Now that we know there are 280 calories per half cup serving, we can calculate the total calories in a full pint container:
- 1 pint = 2 cups
- 1 serving = 1/2 cup
- There are 4 servings in 1 pint
- Each serving has 280 calories
- So 4 servings x 280 calories per serving = 1,120 total calories in a full pint of Half Baked
Therefore, an entire pint of Ben & Jerry’s Half Baked ice cream contains approximately 1,120 calories.
Calories in Half a Pint
Based on the above information, we can also calculate how many calories are in half of a pint, which many people consume in a single sitting:
- 1 pint = 2 cups
- Half of a pint = 1 cup
- There are 2 servings per cup (at 1/2 cup per serving)
- Each 1/2 cup serving has 280 calories
- So 2 servings x 280 calories per serving = 560 total calories in half a pint
Therefore, half of a pint of Ben & Jerry’s Half Baked ice cream contains about 560 calories.
Daily Calorie Needs
To put those 560 calories into perspective, here is how they compare to daily calorie needs:
| Gender | Daily Calorie Needs* |
|---|---|
| Women | 1,600-2,400 |
| Men | 2,000-3,000 |
*Based on a sedentary to moderately active lifestyle. Needs increase with more activity.
As you can see, 560 calories represents a significant chunk of the average person’s daily calorie needs. For some moderately active women, it may represent almost a third of their total daily calories.
Impact on Weight
Consuming foods high in calories can impact weight over time. To lose 1 pound of fat, you need to have a calorie deficit of 3,500 calories. This means if you eat 3,500 calories over your needs, you will gain about 1 pound.
So regularly eating half a pint of Half Baked in one sitting could contribute to weight gain for many people. Even if it doesn’t lead to weight gain, it may make it harder to lose weight while enjoying this treat.
Tips for Enjoying Half Baked Sensibly
Here are some tips so you can still enjoy Half Baked in moderation without going overboard on calories:
- Stick to portion control. Measure out a 1/2 cup serving instead of eating from the tub.
- Share a pint with a friend or partner so you each get your own small bowl.
- Substitute lower calorie treats during the day when planning to have Half Baked at night.
- Savor each bite so you feel satisfied with less of it.
- Pair it with fruit like strawberries or blueberries for more nutrition.
- Eat slowly and mindfully to prevent overeating.
- Freeze individual servings so you can’t eat the whole container in one sitting.
Healthier Ben & Jerry’s Options
If you want something a little lighter than Half Baked, Ben & Jerry’s does offer some lower calorie flavors. Here are a few options with less fat and calories per serving:
| Flavor | Calories | Fat |
|---|---|---|
| Cherry Garcia (Light) | 240 | 9g |
| Chocolate Fudge Brownie (Light) | 240 | 9g |
| Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough (Light) | 240 | 9g |
| Chocolate Milk & Cookies | 260 | 12g |
| Coffee Toffee Bar Crunch | 270 | 12g |
While these flavors still pack a caloric punch, they represent a lower calorie option compared to Half Baked. The Light options cut calories and fat approximately in half.
Making Your Own “Light” Version
Another way to lighten up Half Baked is to mix it with a lower calorie ice cream or frozen yogurt. Here’s a simple recipe to try:
Ingredients
- 1 cup Half Baked ice cream
- 1 cup vanilla frozen yogurt or light vanilla ice cream
- Toppings like sprinkles, nuts, chocolate sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Allow ice cream and frozen yogurt to soften at room temperature for 10-15 minutes
- Mix together the half baked and frozen yogurt in a bowl until blended.
- Top with sprinkles, nuts or chocolate sauce if desired.
- Serve immediately for soft serve style, or freeze for a couple hours for a firmer consistency.
By mixing the full-fat Half Baked with lower calorie frozen yogurt or light ice cream, you cut the calories and fat approximately in half. But you still get plenty of that delicious Half Baked flavor in every bite!
The Bottom Line
Half Baked ice cream is a delicious, indulgent treat. But with 280 calories and 16g of fat per serving, the calories can add up quickly if you eat an entire pint or even half a pint in one sitting. Moderation and portion control is key. Try some of the tips above or lighter Ben & Jerry’s flavors to keep your calorie count in check.
At the end of the day, you don’t have to give up the flavors you love completely. With a little mindful planning and moderation, you can still enjoy Half Baked as an occasional treat without derailing your healthy eating goals.
