When the intense summer heat beckons us to cool off, we often turn to familiar sweet treats, such as ice cream, to satisfy a craving. Summer’s bounty provides us with plenty of healthy and delicious options that we can transform into nutritious treats. Here are a few nutritious tips on how to make healthier snack choices!

• Tea Time: Iced tea is a popular and refreshing beverage during summer. Instead of using traditional black tea, green tea would be a healthy alternative. Green tea is a nutritional powerhouse that provides major health benefits and is loaded with antioxidants. There are also a variety of herbal teas that are refreshing served cold, such as chrysanthemum and hibiscus teas. In addition, try adding fresh herbs and/or fresh fruit to your tea to add a variety of summer flavors. Some ideas include fresh spearmint or mint leaves with cucumber slices, fresh berries, or fresh lemon slices.
• Fill Up on Fruit: Since fresh berries are in their prime season during the summer time, take this opportunity to add fresh berries to your daily diet, as well as fiber and antioxidants. Whether you enjoy these fresh berries in smoothies or crumbles, they contain natural sugars that make them perfect to enjoy on their own as well.
• Frozen Goodness: We often gravitate towards ice creams and frozen yogurt as sweet treats to help us cool off, but next time, try freezing grapes or bananas for a healthy and easy snack. If you’re in the mood for a more indulgent treat, a delicious and healthy way to satisfy your chocolate craving, is to dip slices of banana or strawberries into melted dark chocolate, which gives an added boost of antioxidants. Another creative idea would be to make your own frozen fruit pops! Simply place a combination of your favorite fresh berries into a blender, transfer the fruit puree into popsicle molds, and place in the freezer for a few hours to harden.
• Go Greek: Greek yogurt is a rich source of protein and calcium. Next time, instead of reaching for that gallon of ice cream in your freezer, cool down by enjoying this satisfying snack. For a healthy snack alternative, try this simple and refreshing Berry Yogurt Parfait! Just top nonfat Greek yogurt with fresh berries, a sprinkle of chopped nuts and a sprig of fresh mint.

Indulge in healthier versions of your favorite summer treats to help you feel and look great!