On a hot summer day, sometimes all you really want is to reach for a popsicle to cool down your mouth and enjoy a sweet treat. But store-bought ice pops can be loaded with sugars, artificial colors, and other unhealthy and unwanted ingredients. A better alternative would be to make some at home, especially if you are trying to manage your weight. Check out a few of the healthiest homemade popsicle ingredients below to get started.
If you want to enjoy a creamy popsicle, try using coconut milk in place of dairy milk. While cutting back on fat and calories, you can also add some tropical coconut flavor to your icy treat. Whether you purchase coconut milk in the plant-based milk aisle or you use coconut milk from a can is up to you, but the canned variety might give you an extra boost of flavor.
Fresh or frozen fruits, including berries, mangos, and pineapple, are some of the healthiest homemade popsicle ingredients because they give you plenty of flavor without having to add sugar to your recipes. You can get really creative with your fruit combos, and adding the coconut milk mentioned above can really add a tropical twist to an otherwise ordinary ice pop.
Did you know that you can make tasty popsicles at home using leafy green vegetables? If you are in search of an easy way to get your greens in for the day, or if you want to entice your kids to eat their veggies in a tasty way, this is definitely one great way to do it. Combining the leafy greens with sweet fruits will allow you to achieve the perfect balance of flavor. Try a combination like kale, apples, and grapes, as one example.
Want to add a bit of sour flavor to your popsicles? Then try fresh limes or use lime juice. This is also a good ingredient for balancing other really sweet flavors so that they will not be too overpowering. You can even use lime with some of your leafy green popsicles, or you can combine it with ingredients like watermelon.
Shopping for the healthiest homemade popsicle ingredients will give you the opportunity to enjoy a tasty and nutritious icy treat without having to ingest all of the artificial colors, flavors, and sugars that are added to popsicles that you purchase in stores. Combined with a low-calorie diet and a consistent exercise routine, you can use these snacks as part of a weight loss support plan that will allow you to get the results you’re after.
* This article is for informational purposes only and not to be taken as medical advice. Always consult with your doctor before making any changes to your medications, supplements, diet, or exercise routine.