Healthy Summertime Sweets for Children

By Alana Gold, Registered Dietitian

Summer vacation is here! As your kids play outside with friends in the summer heat, they will no doubt want tasty snacks and refreshing summer treats to cool them down. Instead of giving them traditional high fat and calorie laden summer snacks such as ice cream and cookies, Truestar is here to give you healthy summer treat recipes for your 'little sweets'.

You scream, I scream, we all scream for ice cream!
Whats a kids summer without ice cream! We all know ice cream is a kids favorite food but when eaten too often it could lead to excess calories and fat in your childs diet. Today, there are many healthier substitutes for ice cream including frozen yogurt, sorbet and even reduced fat ice creams. Try these Homemade Frozen Yogurt Pops or have your kids create their own Frozen Yogurt Sundaes. I bet your kids wont even taste the difference!

Getting your five a day
In Canada, there is a five to ten a day campaign, which encourages Canadians to consume at least five servings of vegetables and fruit a day as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle. With the participation and support of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada and the Canadian Cancer Society, the goal is to help try and reduce the risk of disease such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and obesity. To help your kids stay healthy this summer, why not try including fruit in their sweet summer treats! Try Truestars Fruity Fun Kabobs!

1 apple

1 banana

1/3 cup red seedless grapes

1/3 cup green seedless grapes

1 cup nonfat yogurt

Granola or rolled oats

Shake it up!
Milkshakes are a classic treat for kids! But, instead of traditional ingredients like full-fat milk, ice cream and whipped cream, why not try lower fat and healthier variations such as lowfat soymilks, protein powder, yogurt, fruit and nuts. Click here for a summertime smoothie specialty.

Healthier sweets
Kids love sweets but unfortunately all that sugar can take a toll on their health. An over-consumption of sugar is linked to childhood obesity, tooth decay and poor nutrition. In a Tulane University study, researchers found that children who eat a lot of sugar consume significantly less protein, vitamin E, B vitamins, iron and zinc. Keep your kids healthy this summer with healthier sweets such as Spelt Ginger Cookies. For other healthier summer treats, see Tasty Truestar Desserts.

Keep your kids healthy this summer by having them follow the Truestar Kids plans for nutrition, exercise, supplements, attitude and sleep!

Spelt Ginger Cookies
(Makes 3 Dozen)

3 cups spelt flour

¼ tsp. sea salt

1 tsp cinnamon

½ cup canola oil and 1 tbsp for greasing cookie sheet

½ cup molasses

¼ cup honey

2 tbsp fresh grated ginger

Optional: chocolate chips, chopped walnuts

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly oil cookie sheet. In a large mixing bowl, add flour, sea salt and cinnamon. Combine molasses, honey and oil in blender. Grate ginger and then squeeze ginger juice into blender and then discard ginger. Next, combine wet and dry ingredients. Stir with mixing spoon, and knead dough for one minute. Shape dough into small-sized balls, and place onto cookie sheet about 1/4 inch apart. Gently press down with fork. Bake for 15 minutes.


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