Healthy and Fun Snack without Added Sugar

Nutrition recommendations for kids and adults include cutting down on added sugar and eating more whole fruits and vegetables. “Sugar” includes cane sugar, high fructose corn syrup, agave syrup, and even 100% fruit juices (in juices, the fruit sugar water has been extracted and the pulp and fiber have been thrown away).

But, come on, we all need a treat sometimes! A little sugar here and there is not a problem, but when we can make something fun and delicious without added sugar, let’s do it.

Healthy Popsicle Treats

Nothing says summer better than frozen treats! But frozen treats are good ALL YEAR ROUND!

We all know about popsicles, frozen fruit and juice bars. The popsicles and fruit juice bars are not much more than frozen sugar water. Frozen whole fruit bars can be pretty pricey and still often contain juice and/or added sugar.

You can make whole fruit ‘popsicles’ very cheaply and easily without any added sugar!

This is a good treat for children AND adults–especially when trying to eat less sugar to manage diabetes to keep our weight down!

 Here’s what you need

You just need fresh fruit, a blender and something to freeze them in. Use commercial popsicle molds, dixy cups, plastic cups or ice cube trays. If using cups or ice cube trays, try sticking some popsicle sticks in them when they are partially frozen to make them easy to eat.

I like to use fruit that is getting a little too ripe so that it won’t go to waste. Cut off any soft spots or bruises and stick it in your blender. I find that adding a ripe banana adds extra sweetness—much better for all than adding sugar. No additional liquid is required and any blender will work; fruit is all about 95% water, so blends easily.

In the picture below, I used 1 ripe banana, 1 ripe peach and about a pint of strawberries to make 4 ‘double pops’ using popsicle molds, plus 2 dixy cups of frozen fruit pops. There are lots of ways to make frozen pops—vary the fruit (oranges, pears, peaches, nectarines, blueberries, mangos, grapes…). Try blending a little yogurt in to make them creamier. If you use plain yogurt, and your fruit is just not sweet enough to make your pops taste good, add a little sugar or honey, but try to keep to ½ to 1 teaspoon per frozen pop (this will still be less sugar than any of the commercial frozen yogurt or fruit pops).

These give your children the fiber and nutrients of whole fruit, and they won’t miss the sugar! Yumm!