Satisfying Your Summer Sweet Tooth in a Healthy Way

By Emily Kho, Contributing Blogger

As the summer sun blazes on, the temptation for sugary treats seems to rise with the temperature. Ice cream, popsicles, and other sugary delights are popular go-to's to beat the heat, but they often come with high-calorie counts and heaps of added sugars. 

However, satisfying your sweet tooth doesn't have to mean compromising your health. 

Here are some delicious, healthier alternatives that can keep you cool and your sugar intake in check.

Homemade Fruit Popsicles

Instead of reaching for store-bought popsicles, which can be loaded with sugars and artificial flavors, try making your own. These homemade treats are not only refreshing but also packed with vitamins and natural sweetness from the fruits.

This Homemade Fruit Popsicles recipe comes from the Joy Food Sunshine blog. The recipe makes 6 popsicles, taking 5 minutes to prep and 4 hours to freeze for a total cook time of 4 hours and 5 minutes.

Ingredients

• ¾ cup yogurt or juice (6.5 oz)
• 2 ½ cups fruit
• 4-6 Tablespoons honey
• ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon lemon juice

Directions

1. Add all ingredients to the container of your Vitamix in the order listed.
2. Blend for 50-70 seconds or until the mixture is smooth.
3. Evenly distribute the mixture into the six wells of a popsicle mold.
4. Secure the lids and sticks on top of the mold and place it in the freezer.
5. Freeze for 8 hours or overnight.
6. Remove the molds, run each one under hot water for 30 seconds and then release the popsicle.
7. Enjoy immediately! 
To freeze for later, once the popsicles are removed from the molds place them on a baking sheet to flash freeze them for 30 minutes.
8. Place them in an airtight, freezer-friendly container or Ziploc bag until you are ready to enjoy them!

Smoothie Bowls

Smoothie bowls are a thicker version of your traditional smoothies and can be customized with various healthy toppings. Not only is this a powerhouse of nutrients, but it also provides the sweet, creamy texture many of us crave in a dessert.

​​This Smoothie Bowl recipe comes from BBC’s Good Food blog. It makes 1 smoothie bowl with a 5 minute prep time.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cup frozen mixed berries
• 1 ripe banana
• ⅓ cup oat milk
• 1 tsp maple syrup
• ½ tbsp vanilla protein powder, vegan version if needed
• Toppings: 
• sliced kiwis, bananas, and fresh berries
• 1 ½ tbsp granola
• 1 tbsp mixed nuts and seeds
• 1 tbsp almond butter

Directions

1. Put the berries, banana, oat milk, maple syrup, and protein powder in a powerful blender and blend until smooth. Add a splash more milk if needed, but remember it needs to be quite thick.
2. Spoon the smoothie into a bowl and dot over the fresh fruit, granola, and mixed nuts and seeds. Drizzle over the almond butter to serve.

Dark Chocolate-Dipped Fruit

For those chocolate cravings, dip pieces of fruit like bananas, strawberries, or pineapple in melted dark chocolate. Dark chocolate has less sugar than milk chocolate and is rich in antioxidants. 

This treat combines the richness of chocolate with the freshness of fruit, satisfying your craving for something sweet and decadent.

This Chocolate-Covered Strawberries recipe comes from the Healthy Recipes blog. It makes 4 servings and has a total cook time of 50 minutes.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces strawberries ripe but firm (12 medium strawberries)
• 3 ounces dark chocolate chips
• 1 teaspoon avocado oil

Directions

1. Line a plate or a tray with wax paper. Wash the strawberries and pat them dry with a paper towel.
2. Place the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Melt them in the microwave in 30-second sessions, stirring after each session. They should be mostly melted after three such sessions.
3. Stir the oil into the melted chocolate.
4. Dip each strawberry into the melted chocolate. Lift up and twist around to get rid of any excess chocolate. Place on the wax paper.
5. Chill the strawberries in the fridge for 30 minutes before serving.
   
   

These healthier alternatives are not only better for your waistline but also offer a satisfying way to enjoy the flavors of summer without overloading on sugar. 

By choosing ingredients that are naturally sweet and combining them with other nutrient-dense foods, you can indulge your sweet tooth in a way that’s both delicious and beneficial to your health. 

This summer, beat the heat with these guilt-free treats!