Celebrate Ice Cream Month with these Healthier Options!

July is National Ice Cream Month so now is a great time to enjoy an all-time favorite dessert with your senior loved one!

Since many of our seniors need to reduce the intake of added sugars, here are ways to indulge in an ice cream craving without all the fat and sugar from your typical scoop. Your local grocery store will have various low-fat or low-sugar options; however there are even more nutritious options you can make at home.

Below are six healthy, easy and tasty recipes you can make at home with a blender or food processor.

Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl 

This chocolate ready-to-serve treat is made out of a banana base (not cream), so there’s no guilt. Top with mini chocolate chips for a sundae spin.

SERVINGS: 3 to 4 / MAKES: 3 cups / 1½ pints

½ c plain Greek yogurt

4 frozen bananas

¼ c maple syrup

⅓ c cocoa powder

2 Tbsp natural peanut butter

1. COMBINE first 4 ingredients in a blender and blend until thick and creamy.
2. DRIZZLE in the peanut butter and pulse 2 to 3 times to incorporate.
3. SERVE immediately.

Coconut Bliss

This ice cream is deceptively creamy—yet dairy free (it uses coconut milk, not cream)! Scoop and roll in flaked coconut for extra texture and fiber.

SERVINGS: 3 to 4 / MAKES: 3 cups /1½ pints

½ c canned coconut milk

¼ c unsweetened flaked coconut

¼ c maple syrup

½ tsp vanilla

2 frozen bananas

1. COMBINE all the ingredients in a blender and blend until thick and creamy.
2. TRANSFER to a loaf pan and freeze at least 4 hours.

Cherry Swirl 

This tart, tangy treat is a delicious blend of antioxidant-rich sweet cherries and protein-packed Greek yogurt.

SERVINGS: 2 to 3 / MAKES: 2 cups / 1 pint

2 c frozen cherries

½ c plain Greek yogurt

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

½ c plain Greek yogurt

1 Tbsp honey

1. BLEND together cherries, ½ c Greek yogurt and vanilla until smooth.
2. TRANSFER to a loaf pan.
3. MIX together remaining ½ c Greek yogurt and honey and drizzle over loaf pan. Use a butter knife to gently swirl the mixture.
4. FREEZE for at least 4 hours.

Peachy Orange 

The simple combination of orange and peach taste like an old-fashioned creamsicle.

SERVINGS: 2 to 3 / MAKES: 2 cups /1 pints

⅓ c canned coconut cream

2 Tbsp honey

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

2 c frozen peaches

1. COMBINE all the ingredients in a blender and blend until thick and creamy.
2. TRANSFER to a loaf pan and freeze at least 4 hours.

Strawberries ’N Cream 

Who doesn’t love strawberries? This vegan and dairy free treat tastes just like the calorie-packed childhood favorite.

SERVINGS: 2 to 3 / MAKES: 2 cups / 1 pints

1 can full fat coconut milk

1 Tbsp maple syrup

2 c frozen strawberries

1. REFRIGERATE canned coconut milk overnight. The next day, open can upside down, pour out the liquid (reserve for smoothies) and scoop the thickened coconut cream into a blender.
2. ADD maple syrup and strawberries and blend until thick and cream.
3. SERVE immediately or freeze for a thicker consistency.

Mint Chip 

Mint chip lovers rejoice! This healthy version combines avocado, banana, and Greek yogurt for a creamy finish that leaves you totally satisfied, thanks to a hefty dose of protein and monounsaturated fats.

SERVINGS: 3 to 4 / MAKES: 3 cups /1½ pints

½ c plain Greek yogurt

1 Tbsp fresh lime juice

1 avocado

3 frozen bananas

1 tsp peppermint extract

⅓ c mini chocolate chips

1. COMBINE the first 5 ingredients in a blender and blend until thick and creamy.
2. STIR in the chocolate chips.
3. TRANSFER to a loaf pan and freeze at least 4 hours.

For additional flavor ideas it is easy to make banana ice cream and add extras that you enjoy. To make banana ice cream, peel and cut ripe bananas into slices, then freeze. Once they are fully frozen, add a 1/2 cup or 1 cup to a blender and continue to blend until the bananas become the consistency of soft serve. Feel free to add peanut butter, cocoa powder, honey, almonds, Nutella, cinnamon or ginger to spice up the flavor. If you prefer softer ice cream, you can enjoy this as is, or you can stick it in the freezer for a bit to harden it up and then enjoy.

Other healthy do it yourself ice cream recipes can be found here:

https://www.prevention.com/food-nutrition/g20467319/healthy-blender-ice-cream-recipes/?slide=1