Hi, Swandive! Technically, no, it's not. However, I've experimented with it for the past three years and have been able to come to a happy compromise with it. It doesn't set off cravings as long as I stick to the serving size. I actually weigh my portion out each night (easier than trying to scoop it into a measuring cup). I find that works for me.
However, some of the flavors available at local stands have so much malitol or are so overly sweet that they set off cravings. So I tend to stick with the ones I know are safe (butter pecan has never set off cravings for me, for instance).
There aren't any real "sugar free" ice creams in that any ice cream should have some milk in it (if it doesn't, that's pretty scary!
) and milk has lactose (sugar). So "no sugar added" is what you want--it means that the only sugar is from the milk. They didn't add any sugar in to sweeten it.
Hope that helps--you'll have to decide for yourself what works for you. Personally, I figure that if the decision is between feeling deprived and overeating on or off plan later, eating some off plan ice cream, or having a small serving of NSA ice cream, I'll take the NSA stuff.
There are some chicks, though, who are totally okay with just avoiding it altogether.
Whatever works for you, but the official plan answer is "no" as far as whether NSA ice cream is okay.
Here are two old threads that might shed some light on the subject/give options:
Ice Cream or Frozen Yogurt? (note that this is an old thread, so the products mentioned may no longer be available...)
Ziploc Ice Cream (Phases I and II) Super-fun way to make your own ice cream at home with safe ingredients.