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It’s no secret that ice cream is a summer staple. The cold, sweet dessert is a go-to during hot, summer months for both kids and adults.
But the satisfaction that comes from eating up those cones and pints comes at a steep price. Store-bought ice creams are often full of added sugars and artificial ingredients to delight taste buds and keep people coming for more.
The result? High blood sugar. It might not cause problems on the outside. But inside, high blood sugar causes inflammation that can lead to serious health problems later on, including heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
Eating healthier foods doesn’t mean skipping dessert or the occasional feel-good snack. In fact, there are tons of healthier desserts out there that are just as delicious, if not more, than plain old ice cream.
Here are some quick and simple recipes for guilt-free ice cream substitutes this summer:
One-ingredient banana ice cream
Bananas are hailed for their high amounts of potassium, an essential mineral for blood pressure control and muscle contraction.
Here’s a ridiculously quick and simple recipe for banana ice cream. It uses just one ingredient! Slice the bananas and freeze them until solid. Once solid, blend the bananas until the mixture starts to resemble custard. Once it does, it’s all good for eating. It doesn’t get easier than this!
Coconut ice cream
Nutrient-dense coconut milk is considered one of the healthiest milks out there, and it’s possible to create ice cream out of it. Just bust out that blender and blend together coconut milk, sugar (optional) and a small teaspoon of vanilla extract. Freeze it overnight or until solid, and enjoy!
Five-minute frozen yogurt
Some people might prefer a slight tang to their ice cream. The solution? Homemade frozen yogurt! Just blend together plain yogurt (its probiotics are great for gut health) and berries. Stick to just one berry if you’re going for a specific taste, or toss in a couple of mixed varieties for a unique tart creation.
Dairy-free chocolate ice cream
Calling all lactose-intolerant ice cream enthusiasts: this recipe is for you. Start by creating a creamy base from egg yolk and sugar. Once that’s thoroughly mixed, cook almond milk and ground cocoa over medium heat. Temper the eggs and mix them all together. It should be ready to eat after a couple of hours in the freezer.
Homemade fresh fruit shaved ice
Shaved ice is a refreshing little treat for the summer. But instead of using store-bought syrups, here’s a recipe for making syrup out of fresh fruits instead. Just blend the fruits into a puree and add fresh lemon and lime juice.
Cook the mixture over medium heat and bring it to a boil. Let it simmer for five minutes before turning off the heat. Once cooled, strain the syrup to remove the pulps and seeds and chill it in the fridge for an hour or so. Pour it over a cup of shaved ice and serve.
Creamy berry sorbet
This frozen delight contains just fruit and sugar. In fact, there are also healthier sorbet recipes that don’t call for sugar at all! It’s often churned in an ice cream maker to make it scoopable, just like the usual ice cream. Sorbet is best used as a palette cleanser, but its intense fruit flavor also makes for a great homemade dessert.
To create this all-natural sorbet, gather a bunch of berries and blend them to create a fruit puree. Then in a small saucepan, heat fresh orange zest, lemon zest and sugar. Strain and add this to the fruit puree. Freeze for 30 minutes, take it out and stir the sludge. Keep repeating this step until the sludge becomes firm but not solid.
Gluten-free avocado ice cream
Avocados are one of the healthiest plant-based sources of monounsaturated fats that support heart health. The fruit’s unique, nutty taste is also perfect for homemade desserts. Just blend together coconut milk, avocado slices, lemon juice and a bit of organic maple syrup to taste. Let it chill in the freezer for at least four hours and serve.
Chai ice cream
Chai is a healthy, aromatic drink made from black tea and a couple of strong spices such as cardamom, peppercorns, cinnamon and ginger. This ultra-delicious drink can also be enjoyed cold as ice cream. It’s also dairy-free!
For the ice cream base, blend pre-soaked cashews until creamy and smooth. Add black tea leaves and a bit of each spice for that characteristic chai flavor. Leave it in the freezer until firm but not solid, or let it churn in the ice cream maker.
These refreshing desserts are both nutritious and delicious, perfect for the hot summer months. Don’t be afraid to change up the recipes as needed – add more fruits, use another plant-based milk or toss in more nuts.
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