June is national dairy month, so what better time to enjoy some nice frozen treats?
Of course, the scorching heat provides another good reason for cooling down.
When choosing your treats, this list containing information about calories, sugars and fat in various frozen treats may help you make a healthier choice.
• Gelato: This treat, which contains milk, sugar and egg yolk has 157 calories, 24 grams of carbohydrates, 22 grams of sugar and 6 grams of fat for each scoop (half-cup)
- Frozen yogurt: This treat, which contains yogurt and sugar, has 107 calories (or 70, for plain, nonfat yogurt), 19.5 grams of carbohydrates, 19 grams of sugar and 1.5 grams of fat for each scoop (half-cup). (Note: Watch out for added calories from toppings).
- Ice Cream: This treat, which contains milk, cream, sugar and egg yolk, has 137 calories (only 100, if half-fat), 16 grams of carbohydrates, 14 grams of sugar and 7 grams of fat for each scoop (half-cup).
- Sherbet: This treat, which contains fruit juice, milk/cream, egg white/gelatin, has 107 calories, 22 grams of carbohydrates, 18 grams of sugar and 1 gram of fat for each scoop (half-cup). This treat is similar to a sorbet but contains milk/cream.
- Sorbet: This treat, which contains fruit juices, syrup and water, has 92 calories, 23 grams of carbohydrates, 17 grams of sugar and no fat. It has no dairy or calcium.
Of course, this chart provides only a guide, as calories, sugar, fat and carbohydrates can vary from brand to brand.
New dietary guidelines suggest that women should not consume more than six teaspoons of sugar each day and men should not consume more than nine. One 12-ounce can of soda contains approximately 10 teaspoons of sugar.
If you’re looking for something fun to do with your children this summer, try making these frozen “Ice Box Pops,” by using molds or 5-ounce paper cups with popsicle sticks or plastic spoons for a handle.
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Smoothie on a Stick: Ingredients: yogurt and fresh fruit
1 cup low-fat/fat-free vanilla yogurt and 1 cup fresh, mashed strawberries. Blend ingredients until smooth. Mix together. Fill 5-ounce paper cups and add handle (popsicle stick or plastic spoon). Freeze until firm (about five hours). Makes six servings.
- Fruit-Juice Pops: Ingredients: Juice and fresh fruit
Take two 11-ounce cans of mandarin orange sections in juice or light syrup, drained. Add one-half cup orange juice. Mix together. Spoon into 5-ounce paper cups and add handle (popsicle stick or plastic spoon). Freeze until firm (about five hours). Makes six servings.
For a variation, create a fruit-juice pop by layering 1 ½ cups of cubed and pureed cantaloupe combined with 1 tablespoon of orange juice and adding a second layer of 1 ½ cups of honeydew melon cubed and pureed with 1 tablespoon of lime juice, slightly sweetened to taste. Pour into 5-ounce paper cups and add a handle (a popsicle stick or a plastic spoon). Freeze until firm (approximately five hours). Makes six servings.
- Pudding Pops: Ingredients: Instant pudding and milk
Prepare one 3.9-ounce package of instant vanilla pudding and one 3.9-ounce package of instant chocolate pudding, according to package directions. First layer in chocolate pudding, then layer in the vanilla pudding. Pour into 5-ounce paper cups and add a handle (popsicle stick or plastic spoon). Freeze until firm (about five hours). Peel off paper cup before eating. Makes eight servings.
Published June 15, 2016
