Enjoy these delicious and healthier ice creams!
Nothing tastes better on a hot summer day than ice cream – mmm-mmm! Unfortunately, many commercial ice cream products we buy, contain a whopping 23 spoonfuls of sugar in a bowl (that’s more than double the sugar we should be eating in a whole day)! Fear not, there are some much healthier and easy to make versions you can try at home (and yes, all of these healthier versions contain at least one veggie!). The main tool you’ll need to invest in to make these healthier ice creams is a good quality blender. I have a Vita-Mix, it’s great, but it’s not cheap. It ranges between $400 – $600 depending on the model you buy.
There are a few good reasons for the hefty price tag. The Vita-Mix is the most powerful blender around – it has smoothly blended up nuts, frozen fruits, veggies and ice in no time for me. It has a 5-10 warranty (I’ve been given whole new pitcher/blade before, no questions asked), it’s easy to clean and it can makes hot soups. There a lot of other brands out there, I’ve heard good things about the Ninja as well, and it will cost you between $200 – $300; you just have to do your Google research to figure out the best brand for you.
Now, after you have your powerful blender, give one of these three recipes a try, and please be sure to share your feedback by commenting on this post, or by connecting with me directly here.
Mint Chocolate Dream
I love a dessert with a hint of mint after a nice meal. It’s so cleansing!
*1 cup unsweetened almond milk
*2 ripe, frozen bananas
*1 small avocado
*2 cups packed baby spinach
*1 tsp vanilla extract
*3-4 drops peppermint extract
*1/4 cup dark chocolate chunks
Directions: In a blender, add all ingredients excluding chocolate; blend until everything is combined.
*Pour mixture into freezer safe container
*Fold dark chocolate chunks throughout mixture
*Place in freezer for 3-4 hours until mixture is the consistency of a soft ice cream. Enjoy!
Dark Chocolate & Pecan Explosion
The chocolate chunks in this ice cream make it even richer tasting!
½ cup pecans
½ cup pitted dates
1 ½ – 2 teaspoons cocoa powder
1 cup low-fat plain Greek yogurt
1/2 scoop chocolate whey protein powder
1 1/2 cups skim milk
1 zucchini
1/4 – 1/2 cup dark chocolate chunks (depending on how chocolatey you like your ice cream)
Directions: In your blender puree pecans, dates and cocoa powder until a smooth paste is created
*With blender running, slowly add yogurt, protein powder, and milk until everything is combined; stop blender
*Add dark chocolate chunks and pulse briefly at end
*Freeze for 3-4 hours and enjoy!
Berry Banana Icy Madness
This fruity treat is so refreshing on a summer day!
2 frozen bananas
1 cup low-fat plain Greek yogurt*
1/2 scoop vanilla whey protein powder
⅛ teaspoon sea salt
¾ cup frozen blueberries
¾ cup frozen strawberries
1/2 cucumber
Directions: Blend bananas, yogurt, protein powder, and salt until fully incorporated and smooth.
*Add the blueberries and strawberries to blender a bit at a time, pulsing until combined but still chunky.
*Freeze for 3-4 hours and enjoy!
Please connect with me if you have any comments or questions about these homemade ice creams.
Sources (recipes have been altered):
1. Clean Eating magazine, April 2016 edition, Pamela Salzman
2. Precision Nutrition, 8 healthy ice cream recipes you have to try now, John Berardi, Ph.D.