Healthy Summer Popsicles

It’s hot out there! What better way to cool off than with an icy cold popsicle? (Insert childhood memories here!) From sweet berry to creamy coconut to rich chocolate, there is a popsicle for every taste. While some are healthier than others, one of the beauties of these frozen treats is that they come in a pre-portioned size. What’s more, you can even make them yourself. Let’s run through all the tasty options!

Grocery Store Options

Most grocery stores carry a variety of popsicles. Nutritionally speaking there are definitely some that are better than others— you just have to know what to look for. Here are some tips on choosing the right store-bought treat:

• Ingredients: Do a quick scan of the ingredient list. Does it contain added sugar? Is sugar one of the first ingredients? Does it contain high fructose corn syrup? Artificial coloring or flavoring? Ingredients you can’t pronounce? If it does, skip it and look for something without the aforementioned additions (or at least only one of them).

• Serving Size: Look at the total calories per serving and see how that would fit into your budget. Fortunately, most popsicles are a lot lower in calories than ice-cream bars. With the right low-calorie version, popsicles are cool swap for your sweet tooth with a fraction of the calories in other desserts.

• Nutrition Needs: Traditional popsicles are 100% carbohydrates. They are essentially frozen juice. If you are looking for something with a little protein and fat, go for the ones with a little dairy in them. Greek yogurt based treats are excellent because they provide a high amount of protein, but keep the total calories down. Non-dairy alternatives such as coconut or almond milk based treats are good choices for those looking to steer clear of dairy.

DIY (Do It Yourself)

Perhaps even more fun than perusing the popsicle aisle is making them yourself. If you haven’t already tried this, it’s easier than you think. All you need are a few good ingredients, popsicle molds (or small Dixie cups and popsicle sticks), a freezer, and a little patience.

Ingredient Suggestions

A homemade popsicle can come to life with a variety of simple ingredients—many of these you probably already have at home: 

• Fresh fruit such as peaches, nectarines, apricots, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, mango, banana, pineapple, watermelon, kiwi
• Juice (the simplest ice pop is just frozen juice!)
• Sweetener such as honey, maple syrup, agave, or sugar
• A creamy addition such as Greek yogurt or coconut milk

In addition to being a fun activity, when you make your own popsicles you can make them even healthier and prettier than the store bought ones. Tips: Adding a little sweetener will help it taste sweet and not as icy when frozen. If you’re okay with a little ice, you can limit or skip the added sugar and instead add ingredients such as vanilla, lemon, or coconut water for extra flavor. Experiment with different ingredients to find your favorite texture.

Not sure what kind of popsicle to make? Do a quick search on Pinterest or your favorite recipe sites for inspiration. Ask your kids. Look at what you have on hand. Look at what produce is in season.

Here are some simple recipes to get you started:

• Berry Pops

This popsicle contains creamy, protein-packed greek yogurt with fresh berries and a little honey for sweetness. Leaving a few berries whole in each popsicle makes for an extra pretty presentation.

• Strawberry Watermelon Kiwi Popsicles

A whole-fruit popsicle made from just fresh fruit and lime. No added sugar.

• Mango Chia Popsicles

This vegan treat will satisfy your sweet craving without any added sugar: simply ripe mangoes, coconut water, and chia seeds. The chia seeds provided an extra nutrition boost along with a fun texture.

• Peanut Butter Banana Popsicles

A perfect post-work out treat, this popsicle is higher in calories, but packed healthy fat, protein, and carbohydrates. The ingredients include almond milk, bananas, peanut butter, chocolate chips, coconut oil, and salted peanuts.

So go ahead and cool down with a frozen treat on-a-stick. Store-bought or homemade, there is a popsicle for every taste and nutrition need that’s bound to fit nicely into your freezer and your calorie budget. Got a favorite popsicle recipe? Don’t forget to share it with us via Twitter or Facebook!