Healthy Ice Cream Options at Mister Softee

But one summertime temptation actually follows us around—to the playground, to the beach, to the community pool—like a homeless dog looking for a scratch on the head.

It's Mister Softee, whose childlike, bordering-on-sinister jingle has been stalking us for decades. So we decided to ask—what's up Mister Softee's sleeve?

The good news: A simple, traditional Mister Softee soft-serve cone is still one of summer's greatest pleasures, and weighs in at under 200 calories. (Some trucks stock full-fat soft-serve that clocks in at 170 calories per serving, others a lower-fat variety that carries just 140 calories. There's no way of telling what you're getting— and good luck asking the nutritional consultant driving the truck—so assume each serving is worth 170 calories at its base.) It's once you start adding the extras that things get a little dicey.

Lucky, we have easy swaps that allow you the occasional treat without undoing a whole day of healthy eating. And if you're looking for a waist-friendly at-home treat, turn to these healthy ice cream buys.

Eat This

Good Humor Toasted Almond, 1 bar

Calories	210
Fat	10 g
Saturated Fat	3.5 g
Sugar	15 g
Protein	3 g

Not That!

Good Humor Candy Center Crunch, 1 bar

Calories	300
Fat	21 g
Saturated Fat	17 g
Sugar	21 g
Protein	3 g

Opting for the Candy Center Crunch means doubling your fat content.

Eat This

Popsicle Pop Ups, 1 bar

Calories	80-90
Fat	1 g
Sugar	10 g
Protein	1 g

Not That!

SpongeBob SquarePants Bar, 1 bar

Calories	100
Fat	0 g
Sugar	16 g6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e
Protein	0 g

Both Pop Ups flavors beat the pants off Bikini Bottom's resident bard.

Eat This

Good Humor Chocolate Chip Cookie Sandwich, 1 sandwich

Calories	90
Fat	10 g
Sugar	25 g
Protein	3 g

Not That!

Good Humor Giant Neapolitan Sandwich, 1 sandwich

Calories	220
Fat	5 g
Sugar	22 g
Protein	4 g

The Neapolitan gives you almost the same treat as the sandwich, but with more than twice the caloric impact.

Eat This

Rainbow or Chocolate Sprinkles, 4 grams

Calories	20
Fat	1 g
Sugar	2 g

Not That!

Chocolate Syrup, 2 1⁄2 tablespoons

Calories	100
Fat	0 g
Sugar	20 g

Thick and sugary, chocolate syrup is a terrible thing to do to an ice cream. Opt for the sprinkles instead (most of them will just spill onto your shirt).

And if you would pick an ice cream sandwich over a scoop any day, pick up one of these frozen desserts the next time you're at the grocery store.

Image: Leonard Zhukovsky / Shutterstock.com