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.

#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!

Yogurtsicle

Ingredients:

* Several containers of your favorite yogurt. Greek yogurt has the most protein.
* Small paper cups
* Plastic wrap
* Popsicle sticks

Note: If you have popsicle molds you can also use those in place of the paper cups and popsicle sticks.

Directions:
1. Fill small paper cups ¾ of the way with your choice of yogurt. .
2. Top with plastic wrap.
3. Cut a slit in the plastic wrap and slide a popsicle stick through the slit and into the yogurt.
4. Place the cups in the freezer until the yogurt is frozen.
5. Remove the plastic wrap, peel away the paper cup, and enjoy your yogurtsicle.