Making ice cream treats healthier
Summer is here and the days are already getting long and hot. It’s the perfect time for ice cream. However, too much ice cream and you and your family will be consuming too much fat and sugar. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a way to make ice cream treats at home and to make them healthier? Guess what, there is. Take a look at these great ideas. You’ll be able to keep your children busy making and eating healthy ice cream treats.
Here’s how to make ice cream treats healthier:
#1 Add fresh fruit to frozen yogurt instead of ice cream. Frozen yogurt has less fat and the fresh fruit doesn’t have the added sugar that other ice cream toppings have.
#2 Sprinkle granola, with a little wheat germ, chia seeds, hemp seeds or flax seeds, onto a dish of frozen yogurt or ice cream. This little concoction tastes best with fruit flavored ice cream like strawberry.
#3 Make your own ice cream and use 2% milk instead of heavy cream. Your family will enjoy making the ice cream and you don’t have to worry about all the saturated fat.
Tip: Make healthy ice cream out of bananas.
#4 Sprinkle ice cream with a few mini-chocolate chips instead of hot fudge or chocolate sauce. There’s less sugar in a few chocolate chips than in a few tablespoons of ice cream topping.
#5 Buy fruit only sorbet or popsicles. Fruit only frozen treats are a pleasant change.
#6 Make your own fruit only frozen treats. Puree your favorite fruits, Berries work best, in a blender, add a bit of pineapple or orange juice to thin it out if you need to, and pour into popsicle molds, ice cube trays or small paper cups. Add a popsicle stick, freeze, and you’re ready to enjoy.
#7 Skip the cone and eat your ice cream in a bowl. Cones just add sugar and fat. Skip them.
Enjoying ice cream treats this summer doesn’t have to be unhealthy. In fact you can have a refreshing treat and get some of your required daily nutrients. Next time you’re in the mood for ice cream, remember these tips and consider the recipe below. Happy, healthy, summer!
- Several containers of your favorite yogurt. Greek yogurt has the most protein.
- * Small paper cups
- * Plastic wrap
- * Popsicle sticks
- Fill small paper cups ¾ of the way with your choice of yogurt. .
- Top with plastic wrap.
- Cut a slit in the plastic wrap and slide a popsicle stick through the slit and into the yogurt.
- Place the cups in the freezer until the yogurt is frozen.
- Remove the plastic wrap, peel away the paper cup, and enjoy your yogurtsicle
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
June 2, 2015 at 11:36 amWe eat ice cream every single day in our house. I am all for a healthier option!
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
June 2, 2015 at 12:26 pmThis is so great! I love ice cream, but I never eat it because of the calories. Thanks for sharing this healthier option!
Lindsey @ Redhead Baby Mama says
June 2, 2015 at 4:34 pmI’ve heard of the banana trick before – also throwing avocado in there if you’re doing a chocolate flavor. My son prefers vanilla with extra sprinkles. Toppings not negotiable 🙂
chrystal says
June 3, 2015 at 8:41 amAvocado makes a good chocolate pudding too.
Christie says
June 2, 2015 at 5:51 pmI definitely want to try the banana ice cream soon! Bet the creamy texture is really similar
Liz Mays says
June 2, 2015 at 7:10 pmThese are delicious healthy ideas. I can’t go a summer without ice cream so this is helpful!
Amber C. says
June 2, 2015 at 7:50 pmWhat great ideas!! I’ve made “ice cream” with bananas, milk and peanut butter before! It was DELICIOUS!!!
chrystal says
June 3, 2015 at 8:41 amIt’s the best! I love this combo.
Marcie W. says
June 2, 2015 at 8:29 pmThese are all wonderfully creative tips! I know I can not live without ice cream, so making things a bit healthier is a fantastic idea.
Pam says
June 2, 2015 at 8:37 pmMy daughter eats the healthy ice cream made out of bananas as she’s not supposed to have dairy. She says it’s really good.
chrystal says
June 3, 2015 at 8:40 amI love making ice cream out of bananas. I buy the bananas of the quick sale since they are 1/3 of the price. Take them right home and freeze them just to use in smoothies and for ice cream.
Jenny Temcio says
June 2, 2015 at 9:25 pmI always prefer frozen yogurt. Also, adding berries is always a way to sweeten up!
chrystal says
June 3, 2015 at 8:40 amI’m big on berries too!
Penelope says
June 2, 2015 at 10:57 pmThese are perfect for the summer time!
Toni | BoulderLocavore says
June 2, 2015 at 11:28 pmGreat ideas! We love chia seeds. I have not used them in frozen treats but why not? Great source of protein and fiber.
chrystal says
June 3, 2015 at 8:39 amChia is great sprinkled on ice cream!
Kiwi says
June 2, 2015 at 11:39 pmAww I love cones…it would hurt me to skip them! But I love frozen yogurt so thats a great option!
chrystal says
June 3, 2015 at 8:38 amEverything in moderation, right? 🙂
Pauline C. says
June 2, 2015 at 11:57 pmThanks for the amazing recipe I will try it soon. It seems like it is really delicious.
chrystal says
June 3, 2015 at 8:38 amI hope you do Pauline!
Jeanine says
June 3, 2015 at 11:02 amYum! I love healthy ice cream treats! I have always wanted to make ice cream out of bananas. I’m going to try your yogurtsicle! Sounds so amazing!
Shop with Me Mama (Kim) says
June 3, 2015 at 12:16 pmLove making your own and adding fresh fruit to it! I also love the granola, yum!
Sabrina @ Dinner, then Dessert says
June 3, 2015 at 12:25 pmI love that your recipes are for healthy desserts as I just made a cookie recipe with 3 sticks of butter. You’re the delicious yin to my yang! These look delicious by the way! I need to try some 🙂
chrystal says
June 4, 2015 at 9:22 amEverything’s better with butter, right? 😉
Crystal says
June 3, 2015 at 1:40 pmI have an ice cream maker, and I love making homemade ice cream. But having options to make it a healthier treat will motivate me to use it more often.
Ann Bacciaglia says
June 3, 2015 at 1:48 pmThis is such a great idea. I love ice cream but not the calories. I will have to make some frozen yogurt pops.
Debbie Denny says
June 3, 2015 at 8:17 pmGood ideas. Great for a snack.
Marina John says
June 3, 2015 at 11:05 pmHealthy ice cream! That sounds right up my alley! Thanks for sharing.
kristin says
June 3, 2015 at 11:45 pmYUM! Your tips were really helpful now I have some fun new ice cream ideas.
chrystal says
June 4, 2015 at 9:20 amGlad to hear that!
Chrysa says
June 4, 2015 at 10:16 amI love the ice cream out of bananas trick. I make a banana/spinach ice cream sweetened with apple juice and my veggie-hating husband loves it!
Megan @ C'mon Get Crafty says
June 4, 2015 at 10:42 amI love a good sorbet, and I love that it is a healthier option for a cold sweet treat. Now to get my hubby to realize he doesn’t HAVE to have Ben and Jerry’s, lol.
Camesha | Mama Motivator says
June 5, 2015 at 12:15 amI remember making my own treats as a kid. I’m going to do that with my kids this summer!