Homemade ice lollies are healthy and delicious, ideal for a hot summers day, as a sweet and refreshing snack. Using fruit, and even vegetables as your ingredients, will give you many nutritional benefits through fibre, vitamins and minerals. Fruit and vegetables are important in our diet, as part of a healthy and balanced diet, and lollies are a way of including them in your daily diet, especially during the hot summer days.
Fruit and vegetables are beneficial to us as they are an excellent source of fibre, keep in all the edible-pulped fruit or vegetable to your lollies to contain all the fibre it provides, and this helps to maintain a healthy gut and digestion. Fruit and veg are also low in fat and calories, so they are perfect ingredients for your lollies. You can use one ingredient, such as grapes for your ice lollies, or use a few ingredients. You can buy either fresh or frozen ingredients, frozen choices will keep the cost down. These can also be fun for you and the kids to make together, and a great way to introduce kids to eating different fruit and even vegetables.
To make these naturally sweet and refreshing snacks, simply blend the ingredients, put into lolly molds and set in the freezer overnight. Here are some ideas of ingredients for each lolly, and how they will be beneficial for you:
Mango, Coconut Water, Chia Seeds
Mango provides Vitamin C, essential for structure of bones, muscles, blood vessels, and helps maintain healthy gums and the absorption of iron.
Coconut water is naturally refreshing, as it contains minerals to replenish dehydration and is packed with simple sugars, adding a naturally sweet and nutty taste, with naturally occurring enzymes that help with digestion and metabolism. It also has B complex vitamins and Folates. B1, Thiamin, Niacin and Riboflavin; helps the body release energy from proteins, fats, and carbohydrates during metabolism.
Chia seeds contain Vitamin B1, which help the body release energy from carbohydrates during metabolism.
Blueberry, Chia Seeds, Avocadoes, Banana, Almond Milk (unsweetened)
Blueberries contain Vitamin C, and Chia seeds contain Vitamin B1.
Avocados have monounsaturated fats, and these are natural good fats, that can lower your bad cholesterol.
Bananas contain Vitamin B6, which help build body tissue and also help the body’s process of breaking down proteins.
- Almond milk, gives a creamy and nutty taste, and contains some of the same benefits as almonds. A source of calcium, and vitamin D, to build and maintain healthy bones and teeth. Vitamin B12, which aids cell development, functioning of the nervous system, and breaking down protein and fat. It also contains Vitamin E, which is an antioxidant. Almond milk is 100% plant-based, and naturally low in fat, and can be easy to digest, as it is naturally lactose free & gluten free.
Pineapple, Banana, Coconut Milk, Spinach, zest and juice of Lime
Pineapple is high in vitamin C, and banana provides you with vitamin B6.
Coconut milk, from coconuts, which are highly nutritious and rich in fibre, gives you vitamin C, vitamin E and vitamin B6, with minerals including calcium, iron; for the body to absorb oxygen, sodium; for digestion and helping blood form, magnesium; for nerve and muscle function, and phosphorous; helping the nervous system and brain.
Spinach, as a green leafy veg, is a source of Vitamin K. This promotes bone health, blood clotting, and function of kidneys. Spinach is also a source of Folate, which aids red blood cell production.
Citrus fruits such as lime contain Vitamin C and add flavour.
Strawberry, Mango, Coconut Water, Chai Seeds, Honey
Strawberries offer you vitamin C and fibre.
Mango provides you with vitamin C, and potassium, which aids nerve function, heart rate and blood pressure.
Coconut water hydrates and has beneficial naturally occurring enzymes
Chai Seeds give you vitamin B1
When buying Honey, always opt for raw honey to ensure all the natural vitamins and living enzymes and other nutritional elements are preserved. Honey offers vitamins B6, Thiamin, Niacin, Riboflavin, and Minerals.
