4 healthy summer treats for keeping cool in the heat

Karla is an accredited Nutrition and Health Coach. As a mum of two girls, she has a few recipe ideas for keeping cool as the weather heats up! 

Summer is upon us, and Aussies are famous for spending time outdoors, expending pent up winter (and lockdown) energy.

Whether at the beach, by the pool, engaging in water play or running under the lawn sprinkler, it’s an especially busy time for our children as they move towards activities that keep them cool.

Choosing cooling foods is also something our children gravitate towards in summer – ice blocks, soft drinks, milkshakes and ice-creams are traditional favourites but can also be high in sugar and unhealthy fats.

So, what if we could include the children in the process of making healthy summer treats that they can enjoy outdoors?  It sounds like a win-win all round!

Here are 4 healthy summer treat ideas to keep your children cool. 

 

Choc-top Mango Cheeks

Involve the children with making this recipe and watch them disappear! (The food… not the kids!)

Ingredients:

• 2 large mangoes, cheeks cut off, then carefully peeled and sliced into fingers
• ½ block 70-85% dark chocolate or ice magic
• 8 bamboo skewers or popsicle sticks

Method:

1. Place each mango finger onto popsicle stick and freeze for a few hours or overnight.
2. To melt the chocolate, place the chopped chocolate in the top of a double boiler over barely simmering water. Dip frozen mango fingers into the chocolate and set on a plate to cool.
3. Serve immediately and enjoy or store in the freezer in an airtight container

 

Tutti-Fruity Fruit Slushie

Keep cool by the pool with this healthy alternative.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup frozen fruit (mango, pineapple, banana, watermelon, berries)
• 1 cup juice (apple, orange or pineapple)

Method:  

Place fruit into blender and pour in 1/2 of the juice.

Blend until smooth, adding a little more juice as required.

 

Watermelon Ice Blocks

Invest in some ice-block moulds and have fun creating your own ice-block combos!

Ingredients:

• ¼ large watermelon
• Juice from ½ fresh lime

Method:

1. Cut the watermelon into chunks and puree in a blender.
2. Add the lime juice and blend to combine.
3. Pour into ice block moulds and freeze.

 

Chocolate Banana Ice Cream

A balmy evening treat without the crazy sugar hit!

Ingredients:

• 2 frozen medium bananas (around 2 cups) – if they are not fully frozen this recipe will not work.
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1/4 cup plain Greek yoghurt
• ⅓ cup cocoa powder
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

Method:

1. Add the frozen bananas, honey, yogurt, cocoa powder and vanilla extract into a food processor.
2. Process until creamy, about 2-3 minutes. Scrape down the side of the bowl to make sure there are no lumps.
3. Transfer it to an airtight freezable container and freeze for a minimum 6 hours but preferably overnight.