The Best Ice Creams for Runners

McConnell’s came recommended by Executive Editor Tish Hamilton. (Actually, most of our test list came from Tish—she knows a good ice cream when she tries one.) While she can find McConnell’s in her local (New Jersey) grocery store, it’s not readily available (although they do ship on dry ice). This adds a sense of rarity and exoticness to the California-based brand. 

The staff raved about the Double Peanut Butter Chip flavor, giving it a five-star rating across every category (taste, texture, and agreeability). McConnell’s uses local ingredients and ditches any additives, hormones, and antibiotics. We could definitely taste the difference. 

“SO GREAT. Heart eye emoji.” -Meghan Kita, Senior Editor

“[The Double Peanut Butter Chip] is the most amazing flavor.” -Kristen Parker, Assistant Photo Editor

Nutrition Information (Double Peanut Butter Chip)
Calories per 1/2 cup serving: 150
Fat: 24 g 
Sugar: 21 g 

RUNNER UP

Runner’s World HQ is in Pennsylvania, so we couldn’t pass up testing the state’s own Yuengling (yes, that Yuengling) ice cream. It wasn’t beer-flavored (to the dismay of many editors), but the brewery did something right back when it made ice cream “instead of” beer during prohibition. 

The Vanilla flavor, along with the Black and Tan (a nod to the trademarked beer but really just chocolate and caramel) flavors came out on top. The editors were blown away by the creaminess. 

“They’re bigger sizes [quarts] than Ben & Jerry’s, so I’d probably get some even if they’re not on sale.” -Dan Fuehrer, Digital Designer

“This is what I’m looking for when I want to eat ice cream. It would be even better on a cone!” -Brian Dalek, Associate Producer

“I’m a Turkey Hill devotee, and I’d walk away for Yuengling’s Black and Tan nine times out of 10.” -Warren Greene, Brand Editor

Nutrition Information (Black and Tan)
Calories per 1/2 cup serving: 200 
Fat: 12 g
Sugar: 17 g

While we would prefer to head to Italy for authentic gelato, which by law (really) has to have at least 3.5 percent butterfat. But in the U.S. there’s no legal standard for gelato. If you’re not going to Italy, we recommend you reach for Talenti.  

The staff loved the creaminess of Talenti, and nearly every flavor tested earned at least a four-star rating (out of five) across the board. There weren’t any leftovers.

Nutrition Information (Caramel Cookie Crunch)
Calories per 1/2 cup serving: 220  
Fat: 10 g 
Sugar: 29 g

Spoons down, Ciao Bella. Nearly every editor who tested this brand rated it a four or five (out of five) in every category. Most editors went back for seconds and thirds. For a refreshing, dairy-free, fruit party for your mouth, get your hands on a pint of Ciao.

“My initial reaction was, HOLY CRAP ON A STICK! I feel like I should be on a beach. This was toe-curlingly good!” -Juli Roberts, Test Kitchen Manager

“I’d gorge on any of these flavors after a hot run. Plus it’s a fruit, right? Almost a health food!” -David Willey, Editor-in-Chief

“My enemies don’t deserve this. The flavor would make them smile. They don’t deserve that. I could put down a large amount shortly after my run. My enemies are not runners and don’t deserve a large amount of anything. I really enjoyed this treat. Therefore, my enemies should not.” -Derek Call, Junior Video Producer

Nutrition Information (Blood Orange)
Calories per 1/2 cup serving: 120
Fat: 0 g  
Sugar: 29 g 

Nutrition Information (Mango)
Calories per 1/2 cup serving: 120
Fat: 0 g
Sugar: 27 g 

Runners are no stranger to GI distress, so when it comes to a frozen dessert, dairy-free may be the way to go to avoid stirring things up even more. And many runners are trending toward plant-based diets, making dairy-free options abundant and popular. 

Calories per 1/2 cup serving: 220  , NadaMoo came out on top. The organic, vegan-certified, frozen dessert from Austin, Texas, is coconut-milk based. According to the editors, other coconut-milk-based brands had an overpowering taste of coconut, masking the actual flavor (like chocolate). 

“The cookie dough chunks in the Snickerdoodle flavor with the very soft ice cream texture makes it feel like you’re eating fresh cookies.” -Nova Sienkiewicz, Intern

Nutrition Information (Snickerdoodle)
HQ is in Pennsylvania, so we couldn’t pass up testing the state’s own
Fat: 0 g  
Sugar: 10 g

For a refreshing treat that’s light (and won’t weigh you down), Runner’s World chose GoodPop. While the cold brew coffee option left us wanting in flavor, the watermelon agave hit the spot. These pops could do the trick to cool you off before you lace up—and refresh you after you’ve logged your miles.

“The watermelon tastes like pureed watermelon. My favorite flavor.” -Jennifer Kushnier, Test Kitchen Senior Associate Editor

“I’m an ice cream fiend, but I would gladly reach for a watermelon agave pop with (almost) as much gusto as I would for a pint.” - Heather Mayer Irvine, Senior Editor

Nutrition Information (Watermelon Agave)
Calories per 1 pop: 48
Fat: 0 g
Sugar: 12 g