# How many servings are there in a container of Ben & Jerry's ice cream? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 14, 2010, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-servings-are-there-in-a-container-of-ben-jerrys-ice-cream/543172 "2010-06-14T18:23:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2010, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-servings-are-there-in-a-container-of-ben-jerrys-ice-cream/543172/21 "2010-06-14T20:53:39Z")
> [@](#): > > I don’t eat Ben and Jerry’s now, but I’ve had it a few times in the past. My ice cream/frozen yogurt consumption, though, goes something like this: Day 1, serving 1: Almost half the container (this is for small containers like B&Js). Day 2, serving 2: About half of what’s left. Day 3, serving 3: About half of what’s left from day 2. Mathematically, I think this could go on forever, right? But when there’s about a tablespoon or two left, I almost always throw it away because by that time I’m tired of it and don’t want more. Obviously you’ve never bought a pint of Zeno Swirl. ---
**Author:** ![Not\_a\_Platypus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d26b3c/32.png) [@Not\_a\_Platypus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Not_a_Platypus)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2010, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-servings-are-there-in-a-container-of-ben-jerrys-ice-cream/543172/22 "2010-06-14T21:27:36Z")
If I’m deliberately scooping out servings, it’ll be 4. If I just get a craving for ice cream it’s generally less than that. I’ll have a few spoonfuls and then I’m satisfied. It’d take some effort to eat all of it at once now. A few years ago I’d have eaten the whole thing. Ugh. ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2010, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-servings-are-there-in-a-container-of-ben-jerrys-ice-cream/543172/23 "2010-06-14T21:29:51Z")
Most often 2. In theory when buy a container of Ben & Jerry’s it is as a single desert. After sitting down and eating some I decide a container is far to much for me. I find my somewhat discarded lid(usually left sitting on the kitchen counter) and put the ice cream back in the freezer for another day. 3 or 4 days latter I find it again and finish it off. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2010, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-servings-are-there-in-a-container-of-ben-jerrys-ice-cream/543172/24 "2010-06-14T22:04:42Z")
Depends on the flavor. Anything with chocolate in it: generally 2 - 3. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2010, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-servings-are-there-in-a-container-of-ben-jerrys-ice-cream/543172/25 "2010-06-14T23:08:05Z")
In keeping with my life’s philosophy of “serving size” means that the container is empty, I’d have to say ‘one’. This applies to potato chips, ice cream, nuts, etc. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2010, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-servings-are-there-in-a-container-of-ben-jerrys-ice-cream/543172/26 "2010-06-14T23:09:57Z")
Usually 2, sometimes 3. I tried to make the amount of ice cream smaller by serving it over fresh fruit. But then I ran out of fruit. ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2010, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-servings-are-there-in-a-container-of-ben-jerrys-ice-cream/543172/27 "2010-06-14T23:28:40Z")
It used to be one for me, but now even with a lactaid there are…consequences… if I try eating an entire carton at one sitting so I have to parcel it out over two servings. Which is a real struggle with some flavors. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2010, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-servings-are-there-in-a-container-of-ben-jerrys-ice-cream/543172/28 "2010-06-14T23:38:19Z")
> [@norinew](#): > > I posted ‘three’, but honestly, when I buy ice cream as pricey as Ben and Jerry’s, I tend to buy those little, bitty cartons that even come with their own spoon, that are _designed_ to be one serving. It’s true what they say about the carton determining what you think is a serving. One of those little cartons feels entirely like it’s enough - how could I possibly want more ice cream than that. Yet, Ben & Jerry’s tends to be somewhere between 2 & 3 servings. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2010, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-servings-are-there-in-a-container-of-ben-jerrys-ice-cream/543172/29 "2010-06-14T23:45:27Z")
Back when we ate ice cream, we’d get about 2 servings per container. Then we started buying the small ones. Now we don’t bother buying it at all. 8 pounds and counting! ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-servings-are-there-in-a-container-of-ben-jerrys-ice-cream/543172/30 "2010-06-15T00:48:16Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Back when we ate ice cream, we’d get about 2 servings per container. Then we started buying the small ones. Now we don’t bother buying it at all. > > 8 pounds and counting! Yeah, we’re eating sensibly too, now and it sucks. ---
**Author:** ![Silophant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a698b9/32.png) [@Silophant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silophant)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-servings-are-there-in-a-container-of-ben-jerrys-ice-cream/543172/31 "2010-06-15T02:17:42Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > In keeping with my life’s philosophy of “serving size” means that the container is empty, I’d have to say ‘one’. This applies to potato chips, ice cream, nuts, etc. Bet you have a blast at Costco. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-servings-are-there-in-a-container-of-ben-jerrys-ice-cream/543172/32 "2010-06-15T03:09:25Z")
If you’re gonna eat ice cream, at least eat enough to notice. For me that’s about 1-1/2 containers. The good news is I only do it maybe once every 3 months. I’m with **Chefguy**. The 18-24 oz bags of chips & Cheetos & pretzels are also single-serving packages. As are 16" sub sammiches. And the 16oz Prime Rib special at my favorite joint. With salad, potato, and 2 veggies. Life’s waay too short to eat smidgens. Just don’t pull this trick every meal or you’ll look like a house. And have really corroded pipes too. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-servings-are-there-in-a-container-of-ben-jerrys-ice-cream/543172/33 "2010-06-15T03:39:48Z")
> [@](#): > > I’m with Chefguy. The 18-24 oz bags of chips & Cheetos & pretzels are also single-serving packages. As are 16" sub sammiches. And the 16oz Prime Rib special at my favorite joint. With salad, potato, and 2 veggies. > > Life’s waay too short to eat smidgens. Just don’t pull this trick every meal or you’ll look like a house. And have really corroded pipes too. We may die before our time but we won’t leave a lot of leftovers behind. ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-servings-are-there-in-a-container-of-ben-jerrys-ice-cream/543172/34 "2010-06-15T03:41:02Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > 1. > > Then I have another serving. This. ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-servings-are-there-in-a-container-of-ben-jerrys-ice-cream/543172/35 "2010-06-15T04:10:52Z")
I’d say it depends on how bad your day was. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2010, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-servings-are-there-in-a-container-of-ben-jerrys-ice-cream/543172/36 "2010-06-16T04:00:20Z")
Not sure. I don’t eat it all at one sitting, but its often gone when I go for more. Did the kids get one more serving? Two? 96? My eleven year old son can put away a quart of ice cream in an afternoon and is skinny. I’ve taken to avoiding buying B&Js or anything better than Edy’s… ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2010, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-servings-are-there-in-a-container-of-ben-jerrys-ice-cream/543172/37 "2010-06-16T04:50:15Z")
About 2, maybe 3. I don’t get it that often, mostly because it’s so freaking expensive – it costs about as much as a half-gallon which lasts much longer. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2010, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-servings-are-there-in-a-container-of-ben-jerrys-ice-cream/543172/38 "2010-06-16T14:50:40Z")
Used to be 3. 2.5 since they downsized :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Serenata67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/serenata67/32/10646_2.png) [@Serenata67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Serenata67)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2010, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-servings-are-there-in-a-container-of-ben-jerrys-ice-cream/543172/39 "2010-06-16T22:36:34Z")
Where’s the “It depends on how depressed I am?” option? ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Woo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7c8e57/32.png) [@Dr.Woo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Woo)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2010, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-servings-are-there-in-a-container-of-ben-jerrys-ice-cream/543172/40 "2010-06-16T23:38:48Z")
> [@Teacake](#): > > No option for six? A container of Ben and Jerry’s will provide (at least part, and often all, of) pudding for both of us for three nights. I voted “other” because it’s 6 servings in my world. Three for him, three for me. Unless he falls asleep early one night . . . [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-servings-are-there-in-a-container-of-ben-jerrys-ice-cream/543172.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-servings-are-there-in-a-container-of-ben-jerrys-ice-cream/543172.md?page=3)