Cool Summer Treats
Published
Summer brings those warm afternoons when frozen treats and sugar laden drinks are sometimes hard to resist. For a delicious change this year, try some tried and true treats that won’t spike your blood sugar and leave you feeling overloaded with sugar the rest of the day. These treats will help you stay hydrated, leave you feeling satisfied and, in some cases, help fight inflammation.
Water with zing
- Wedge of cucumber and/or a slice of lemon or lime to your ice water
- Slices of fresh strawberries and cucumber – these sweet delights of summer will add some flavor to your water without added sugars that spike blood sugar
- Frozen Blueberries – add these to your water, it helps to keep your water cool and as the berries melt they flavor your water and turn it a beautiful color too!
Unsweetened iced tea
Hibiscus tea is a beautiful color and tastes delicious, there are several out there that include raspberry or other fruit combinations - making them sweet and satisfying
Any herbal tea that is fruity
Try brewing up some green tea and adding ice cubes to make it cool, perfect for an afternoon pick me up (caution green naturally contains caffeine)
Frozen Fruitcicles
Puree watermelon and freeze in Dixie cups with a popsicle stick
- Freeze whole: Grapes (monitor young children for choking hazard), blueberries and/or pitted cherries
- Puree ½ banana + 1 Tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder and ¼ cup of your favorite milk
Incorporating some of these delicious treats into your summer repertoire will help stave off your sweet tooth and keep you on track with your healthy eating plan.
By Dawn Jae MS, RDN, CD
