Child tested and approved healthy popsicles

Imelda Galdamez<galdamez@msu.edu>, Michigan State University Extension -

Sneak your children a healthy treat on hot days.

As the summer heat rises, so does the need to keep your child cool. Keeping young child cool during hot, summer days is an important task. Why not do it with popsicles! Strawberry, mango and banana popsicles are easy, healthy frozen treats, packed with vitamins, and are a great alternative to ice-cream. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) encourages parents to limit children’s treats to special occasions. This tip can help children learn the importance of setting limits, a great way to further their developmental skills. Michigan State University Extension recommends the following steps to create your own frozen popsicles.

Ingredients

1/2 cup frozen or fresh strawberries

1/2 cup frozen or fresh mangos

1 medium peeled banana

1/2 cup orange juice, apple juice, or yogurt

Directions

  1. Using a blender, safely blend the following ingredients on slow speed (the blend should yield a smooth creamy texture).
  2. In a popsicle tray, evenly spread the blend mix, store in your freezer for a few hours and enjoy!

Consider adding in a leafy green for an added punch of fiber, such as spinach. This is also a great way to sneak in a serving of vegetables for your young child. This fun and easy recipe can also become a fun family event by including your young child to help with the preparation of the frozen treat. Always practice safety measures when including your young child in the kitchen.

MSU Extension offers various educational programs for adults, families and children that focus on lifestyle changes to promote healthy eating. For more health and nutrition tips contact your local MSU Extension.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

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