Healthy treats to help you stay cool this summer

Tasty, Low-Cal Ways To Enjoy The Summer Heat

While the ice cream truck driving around the corner may be tempting during the hot summer months, all that sugar and all those calories that come with an ice cream sundae may leave you cringing. But you don't have to give up tasty treats while watching your weight this summer. Here are some healthy treat ideas that are low in calories and sugar to enjoy during the summer heat.

Woman eating watermelon

Cold watermelon

Slicing up a cold watermelon is the perfect (and healthy) way to stay cool this summer. Opt for seedless watermelons, which are easier to eat, especially for children. Because they are mostly water, watermelons are also low in calories, but they have many nutrients to offer, such as potassium and vitamins A and C.

Natural juice popsicles

Making your own popsicles at home is easy to do and is a healthy alternative to store-bought popsicles. Choose an all-natural fruit juice with no added sugar, and buy a popsicle mould. Pour the juice into the mould, freeze and enjoy! For an extra treat, throw in a few pieces of fresh fruit along with the juice before freezing.

Fruit smoothies

Mixing your favourite summer fruits with crushed ice in a blender is just as good as a popsicle on a hot summer day. Summer offers many delicious fruits, like mangoes, watermelons and peaches, so take advantage! For a creamier smoothie, add some skim milk, and to sweeten your smoothie, try honey or a sweetener.

Berries and whipped cream

Fresh strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries topped with a little bit of cold whipped cream is a delicious way to enjoy juicy, ripe berries this summer! Besides the high fibre and low natural sugar content, berries are packed with antioxidants, making them a deliciously healthy way to enjoy the summer.

Iced coffee

Coffee served over ice is a great way to stay cool and hydrated this summer Ask your local coffee barista to add a liquid sweetener or a sugar-free flavour shot instead of sugar to yours. Add cream or milk to make this yummy cold drink creamy. To make this at home, brew coffee, pour into a mug and add sweetener. Fill a glass with lots of ice, pour the coffee over it and add milk or cream. To make this creamy drink dessert-like, blend the coffee with ice. Remember: Too much caffeine isn't a good thing, and decaf works just as well.

Low-calorie frozen desserts

If you crave something creamy or chocolatey and don't have time to make anything, your grocery store probably carries low-calorie frozen desserts. Such brands as the Canadian Chapman's carries a no-sugar-added ice cream line that is lower in calories and sweetened with sucralose. Skinny Cow is another brand that offers lighter alternatives to fudgesicles and ice cream sandwiches. They are usually made with 100 per cent Canadian skim milk and are 96 per cent fat-free.