Summer is here and with it, your kids’ freedom from schedules and their regular habits. During the warm months, it’s easier to binge on unhealthy snacks like ice cream. However, there are many tasty treats your dentist will approve of as alternatives to the sugary varieties. The caring staff at Main Street Dental in La Crosse, WI, share their favorites below.

A Dentist’s Guide to Healthy Summer Treats

1. Banana Ice Cream

It’s simple to make delicious, all-natural ice cream from frozen bananas. Once frozen, cut the fruit into chunks and toss into a food processor or blender until they turn creamy. You can add a dash of cacao, coconut, vanilla, or other flavorful ingredients to the mix. Banana ice cream needs no sweetener and is an enjoyable substitute for the sugar-filled, high-fat alternatives.

2. Fruit Sorbet

Gather approximately 3 cups of frozen berries or other fruit and place them in the blender. Add ¼ cup of warm water to soften as you blend, a splash of lemon juice, and a bit of raw honey or agave nectar if the flavors are too tart. Afterward, place the mix into a freezer-safe container and store it.  

3. Smoothies

Replace milkshakes with blended fresh fruit and yogurt smoothies. Use 2/3 frozen or fresh fruit and 1/3 yogurt, or your preferred ratio, and blend until smooth. A regular home blender is fine for this treat. You can refrigerate or freeze as necessary, though if you use frozen fruit, it will be cold enough to serve right away.

4. Healthy Pops

Using the same method of blending fruit, add a little water, honey, and yogurt to create a healthy Popsicle®. Purchase a silicone Popsicle mold at any kitchen or home store. Get your kids in on the fun and make layered treats in their favorite fruit flavors.

5. Frozen Yogurt Bark

For an easy, healthy, frozen treat, mix 2 cups of Greek yogurt with 2 tbsp of honey and spread on a foil-lined baking sheet. Top with whatever fruit you like, dried or fresh. Freeze for 24 hours, then break up the bark into pieces to store in freezer bags. Once ready, enjoy these quick, probiotic snacks. 

With a little planning, you can transform the fresh fruits of summer into healthy frozen snacks for your kids. Decreasing sugar intake is one of the best ways to guard against tooth decay. Main Street Dental is your local center for preventive and restorative dentistry. They even offer same-day crowns. Call 608-784-4063 to make an appointment with a dentist or visit their website to learn more about the staff and services.