Want to enjoy a sweet summer without wrecking your beach bod? Try these great recipes!
Banana “Ice Cream”
Not only is this free of added sugar, it’s dairy free, too!
Ingredients:
-1 banana per serving
Variations:
-Vanilla
-Chocolate (a dash or two of cocoa powder works well)
1) If you’re in a rush, you can throw some bananas in a freezer with no prep. Just be prepared for the skins to turn an ugly black (the banana meat is still fine!). If you want to be a little more ready to go, peel and chop then bananas then store in an airtight container.
2) Purée, and add flavoring as desired. You can also eat straight from its blackened peel (if you’re in a rush).
Popsicles and Popsicle Alternatives
You can make your own popsicles with any flavor fruit juice you like, but fruit juice has tons of sugar, so eating a bunch won’t be easy on your diet.
Low Sugar Popsicles:
-Mix a pitcher of juice and water. (Proportion is your choice: how much sweet can you handle?) Pour into popsicle or ice cube molds (add sticks to your ice cube molds). Freeze and enjoy on a hot summer day.
Creamsicles
Version one:
-Take the above recipe (with a less/not watered down version) drizzle into yogurt (can’t have dairy? Try super healthy coconut milk.). Choose a yogurt that’s healthier for you, not one that’s got added sugar already.
-You can do chocolate by itself (powder or cheat and use syrup) to just yogurt or fruit flavored yogurt.
Version 2:
-Instead of juice, use real fruit (whole or puréed).
Popsicle alternatives:
Here’s a refreshing treat: flavored ice cubes. As they melt, they subtly flavor your water. It’s a smaller treat you can enjoy all day long.
Try:
-Frozen juice (up presentation by adding bits of fruit, or by mixing flavors/colors in a glass).
-Savory flavors by freezing basil, mint, or similar herbs in ice cubes
A Healthier Smoothy
Ingredients can be fresh or frozen, but frozen works just as well and is often more fresh (since you aren’t de-thawing it) and cheaper.
You can, of course, make your own flavors!
Base Recipe:
-Fruit
-Ice
Healthy add-ons:
-Yogurt (depending on your texture preference, swap for ice)
–Vegan Protein Complete (now your smoothie is breakfast!)
Finally, skip the prep with…
Frozen fruits and veggies! I already covered how great frozen bananas are (I mean, you can sub them for ice cream!) but on a hot day, there are lots of fruits to enjoy frozen and they require minimal prep!
-Mangos (great frozen texture!)
-Pineapple
-Blueberries
-Peas
-Strawberries
-Peaches
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Replace any regular dessert with the above, and you’ve just come close to your recommended fruit intake for the day. Plus get fiber, antioxidants, and more instead of preservatives and artificial flavors from the store bought stuff!
Share your favorite flavors and summer desserts:
