7 healthy fruit popsicles to keep your kids cool all summer (and yourself too!)

When the summer heat starts getting under your skin, nothing sounds nearly as good as feasting on an icy cold fruit pop. But the sugar content of the icy dessert available in the market is something that we like to avoid and so we decided to turn to nature’s candy. From the simple mint and watermelon to the unexpected black grape and yogurt, here are seven fruit-based healthy ice lolly recipes to make at home with the kids and enjoy together while at home or by a pool all summer long.

1. Lemony-Melon

Blend three cups (450 gms) of cubed, ripe muskmelon with 30 ml lime juice. Add a non-processed sweetener like honey (1tsp), pour it into popsicle moulds and freeze for 2 to 3 hours.
Makes 6-8 popsicles.

Nutritional info:

Energy: 130.8 Kcal; Fat: 1.8 gm

2. Minty Watermelon

Blend three cups (450 gms) of de-seeded and cubed watermelon, with a handful of fresh mint leaves. If required add honey (5 ml) to taste and pour into popsicle moulds. Add small watermelon chunks before letting them freeze for 2 to 3 hours.
Makes 6-8 popsicles.

Nutritional info:

Energy: 82.8 Kcal; Fat: 0.64 gm

3. Strawberries n Cream

Blend together two cups (300 gms) of hulled and halved, ripe strawberries, one-and-a-half (150gms) banana and half a cup (100 ml) of cream and honey (5 ml). Pour into popsicle moulds and slide in small strawberry slices along the sides of the moulds before freezing them for 2 to 3 hours.
Makes 8-10 popsicles.

Nutritional info:

Energy: 497 Kcal; Fat: 27.2 gm

4. Purple Magic

Blend together one cup (150 gms) of both seedless black grapes and yoghurt (200 gms). Add honey (5 ml). Pour into popsicle moulds and add a few whole black grapes before letting them freeze for 2 to 3 hours.
Makes 6-8 popsicles.

Nutritional info:

Energy: 277.5 Kcal; Fat: 8.69 gm

5. Cherry Pop

Blend together one cup (200 gms) of pitted and halved red cherries, one-and-a-half (150 gms) banana and one cup (200 ml) of milk. Add honey (5 ml) and pour into popsicle moulds. Add a few halved red cherries, just before freezing them for 2 to 3 hours.
Makes 8-10 popsicles.

Nutritional info:

Energy: 474.9 Kcal; Fat: 10.33 gm

6. Raspberry Surprise

Blend together one cup (125 gms) of raspberries and one cup (200 ml) of Greek yoghurt. Add honey (5 ml). Pour into popsicle moulds and insert some whole raspberries before letting them freeze for 2 to 3 hours.
Makes 6-8 popsicles.

Nutritional info:

Energy: 205.9 Kcal; Fat: 8 gm

7. Creamy Apricot

Blend together one cup (200 gms) of pitted and halved apricots and one cup (200 gms) of cream with honey (5 ml). Add half a cup of room temperature water if it gets too thick. Pour into popsicle moulds before letting them freeze for 2 to 3 hours.
Makes 8-10 popsicles.

Nutritional info:

Energy: 1139 Kcal; Fat: 51.48 gm

Nutritional information courtesy Munazzah Qazi, a Registered Clinical dietitian, Sports Nutritionist and a Health and Wellness speaker for corporates. She's also a Certified Diabetes Educator.