Celebrate Ice Cream Month In a Healthier Way

By Brandi Goodman 

National Ice Cream Month in July encourages people everywhere to consume the tasty, cool treat. It's perfect for summer because of its frozen state, yet too much of it can normally be bad for your health. There's far too much sugar and calories in a single bowl. You can still celebrate. You just have to do it in a healthier way with more nutritious ice cream options.

Blend a Banana

Bananas are excellent for making ice cream. Their texture helps the dish come together well. It's still creamy and light as you've come to expect with ice cream, yet cuts way back on the sugar content. A strawberry banana version provides a deliciously cool, tasty treat. Slice up the fruits and freeze them on a pan, and then mix them up together in a food processor.

Opt for Frozen Yogurt

If you're in a hurry and just want to grab something ready to go from the store, then opt for frozen yogurt. It's a little lower in saturated fat and tends to have less calories. Low-fat ice cream versions are also available and will provide about the same benefits as frozen yogurt. Either works fine.

Use Nuts and Berries

You can choose to have a regular serving of store-bought ice cream. Just be sure not to overload it with extra toppings. If you do want to add something extra to the mix, opt for nuts or berries instead. It can spruce up your dessert and fill you up without adding a ton of sugar. Both of these toppings provide some much-needed nutrients whereas candy and cookie pieces don't.

Skip the Sauce

There's no need for caramel, chocolate syrup, or any other sauce. It might change the flavor, but it adds a ton of sugar in the process. You can look for a homemade vegan option if you want to still include something, or just try to find an ice cream flavor that already resembles the taste you're looking for. You can blend in an organic cocoa powder to create something chocolaty, for example.

Ice cream can make a delicious treat that helps keep you cool throughout the summer. Just be sure you're trying homemade options rather than purchasing sugar-filled cartons from the store. A healthier ice cream is far better for your body and will do more than just cool you down. 

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Temple, Tex.