Diabetics and allergy sufferers also want to keep cool in the summer. Here are three, simple, sugar-free recipes for Ice on a Stick.
Sugar-free diets
Often we read about the high incidence of diabetes in young people and how overweight people develop hidden disorders related to the level of glucose in their blood. Actually, diabetes is called the silent killer because of the unseen changes that result from that disease such as blindness, kidney failure, heart disease, and stroke.
Allergies from corn-based sweeteners also wreak havoc for some people causing headaches, diarrhea, or behavior problems.
Diet helps the diabetic maintain healthy glucose levels and gives allergy sufferers relief, but sometimes when everyone else is eating a cold treat on a hot, summer day, what healthy snack can they have? Sugar-free ice cream offers an alternative but artificial sweeteners in these products also affect blood sugar levels says the Mayo Foundation in a 2006 article, “Diabetes nutrition: Including sweets in your meal plan,” found on the Revolution Health website.
Homemade sugar-free frozen ice on a stick with no artificial sweeteners offers a healthy summer treat for everyone in the family. What makes them sweet? Ripe bananas and/or undiluted frozen juice concentrates. This recipe can be modified to meet every person’s favorite flavor. Look for other sugar-free recipes in The “I Can’t Believe This Has No Sugar” Cookbook by Deborah E. Buhr.
Chocolate Ice on a Stick
4 ripe bananas, peeled and mashed
3 tbsp. water
¾ cup cocoa or carob powder
¼ cup canola oil
½ tsp. vanilla or almond flavoring
½ tsp. ground cinnamon or allspice
¼ cup finely chopped fresh cherries, optional
Combine all ingredients. Fill an ice cube tray with the mixture and insert a toothpick in the center of each cube. Freeze overnight or until hard.
Chocolate Ice on a Stick can be removed from the tray and stored in a covered plastic container in the freezer.
Banana-Orange Ice on a Stick
4 ripe bananas, peeled and mashed
Grated rind of one orange, optional
½ cup frozen orange juice concentrate
2 tbsp canola oil
1 ½ tsp. vanilla
Combine all ingredients. Fill an ice cube tray with the mixture and insert a toothpick in the center of each cube. Freeze overnight or until hard.
Banana-Orange Ice on a Stick can be removed from the tray and stored in a covered plastic container in the freezer.
Chocolate-Peanut Butter Ice on a Stick
4 ripe bananas, peeled and mashed
1/3 cup dry-milk powder
¾ cup cocoa or carob powder
3 tbsp frozen apple juice concentrate
1 tsp. vanilla
½ cup peanut butter
Combine all ingredients. Fill an ice cube tray with the mixture and insert a toothpick in the center of each cube. Freeze overnight or until hard.
Chocolate-Peanut Butter Ice on a stick can be removed from the tray and stored in a covered plastic container in the freezer.
References:
Buhr, Deborah E.. The “I Can’t Believe This Has No Sugar” Cookbook. New York: St. Martin’s, 1997.
Mayo Foundation. “Diabetes nutrition: Including sweets in your meal plan,” Date accessed: May 14, 2008. Date updated: October 16, 2006. 1998-2007 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER) http://www. revolutionhealth.com/conditions/diabetes/diet-nutrition/sweets/ sweets-in-meal-plan.
