Useful Information for Better Health from the Western Maryland Health System

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Healthy and Refreshing Frozen Treats

Sunny days inspire cool treats. But if you’re not careful, your cool treats could contribute to unwanted weight gain. One large cookie dough blizzard provides a whopping 1340 calories and 54 grams of fat! Here are some healthier options to help you cool down:

Try this immune- boosting c-breeze – named for its excellent vitamin C content.  It’s easy to prepare and each refreshing serving delivers 230 percent of the RDA for vitamin C, along with 80 percent of the RDA for vitamin A.  This recipe is taken from the book, “Super Smoothies,” by Mary Corpening Barber and Sara Corpening Whiteford.  They recommend using a food processor to make this recipe instead of a blender, because in a processor the tiny seeds of the kiwi remain whole. If they are blended, the seeds give the drink an unpleasant bitter taste.

Combine the following ingredients in a food processor. 
     1 cup diced kiwi (about 3), chilled
     1 cup orange sherbet
     1-¾ cups diced cantaloupe, chilled

     Process until smooth.  Makes 2 servings (250 calories each).



For a quick, refreshing fruit smoothie, blend the following in a blender:

2 cups frozen fruit (such as banana and strawberries)
1 cup skim milk or soy milk
1 cup of low-fat, low-sugar yogurt.

Blend and serve. Makes 2 servings (210 calories each)

Many frozen fruit desserts are on the market, too, including popsicles made from fruit.  Freeze grapes for a simple, refreshing and sweet treat. 

For a refreshing homemade frozen pop, try these watermelon pomegranate pops by the Meal Makeover Mom, Registered Dietitian Liz Weiss:

1-½ cups cubed seedless watermelon
1/2 cup pomegranate blueberry juice

Combine the watermelon and juice in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into four 3-ounce popsicle molds and freeze until firm, about 3 hours. To remove the pops from the molds, run under warm water to loosen. If you don’t have popsicle molds, divide the liquid between four paper cups. Cover each cup with foil, insert one craft stick through the center of each foil, and
freeze.  4 servings. (30 calories each)

What are your favorite healthy cool treats?


by Theresa Stahl, RD, LDN

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