By: Hilary Walke

Jul 17, 2009

Whatever happened to the days of home-made popsicles? Perfect for a refreshing afternoon snack or a sweet and cooling dessert in the heat of the summer, popsicles are easy to make, fun to eat, and (with our recipes) healthy. The best part? They are made for all ages. In light of the hot weather, sandy toes, and boardwalk-strolling nights, we spoke with registered dietitian Sophie Pachella for some yummy popsicle recipes made for you to slurp up and enjoy.

Mango dream
Ingredients:
—1 mango, peeled and diced
—6 oz cup 0% Greek style yogurt, plain
—6 oz cup non fat vanilla yogurt (or a second Greek yogurt, with 2 splenda)

Instructions:
Mix all ingredients in a blender till smooth
Pour equal amounts of mixture into each Dixie cup. Add a popsicle stick and freeze.

Nutrition content
(Per serving): 71 calories, 0.1 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 10.1 g carbohydrate, 0.75 g fiber, 7.5 g protein

Coconana
Ingredients:
—8 oz 1% chocolate milk
—1 banana
—20 semisweet chocolate chips (optional)

Instructions:
Mix chocolate milk and banana in blender till smooth
Drop 5 chocolate chips into each Dixie cup. Pour equal amount of chocolate/banana mixture into each cup. Add a popsicle stick and freeze.

Nutrition content
(Per serving): 96 calories, 2.1g fat, 1.3 g saturated fat, 17.6 g carbohydrate, 1.3 g fiber, 2.7 g protein

Monkey Bites
Ingredients:
—2 firm bananas, peeled and cut in half
—4 tbsps smooth natural peanut or almond butter
—1 tbsp semi sweet chocolate chips
—2 tbsp finely crushed nuts (any.. peanuts, almonds or walnuts)

Instructions:
Microwave nut butter and chocolate chips for 10-20 seconds in a wide based shallow bowl until runny
Roll each banana half in melted mixture, then sprinkle with ½ tbsp crushed nuts. stick a popsicle stick half way up banana and freeze on wax paper.

Nutrition content
(Per serving): 196 calories, 12.3 g fat, 2.8 g saturated fat, 18 g carbohydrate, 3.1 g fiber, 5.6 g protein

Watermelon Breeze
Ingredients:
—1.5 cups seedless watermelon, diced
—½ cup seedless cucumber, peeled and diced

Instructions:
Mix ingredients in a blender till smooth
Pour equal amounts of mixture into each Dixie cup. Add a popsicle stick and freeze.

Nutrition content
(Per serving): 19 calories, 0 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 4.6 g carbohydrate, 0.4 g fiber, 0.3 g protein

Apple-berry Puff
Ingredients:
—1 apple, peeled and diced
—1 cup blueberries
—6 oz cup non fat Greek yogurt
—2 splendas (optional)

Instructions:
Mix all ingredients in a blender till smooth
Pour equal amounts of mixture into each Dixie cup. Add a popsicle stick and freeze.

Nutrition content
(Per serving): 54 calories, 0 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 11 g carbohydrate, 1.7 g fiber, 3.8 g protein