Healthy Strawberry Popsicles: A Sweet Twist on a Classic
I can’t stop eating (and making) my Healthy Strawberry Popsicles. There has always been one frozen treat that completely steals my heart every single summer, Strawberry Shortcake Popsicles.
Growing up on the East Coast in the 90s, this was a staple. I have always believed these were a universal favourite, but it seems that any time I bring these up, no one remembers them! I’ve started to wonder if they were a hidden gem for the East Coasters, or maybe it was just a very niche group of us.
Regardless of how popular they are, one thing is for sure: these popsicles are unforgettable. Like many treats from our childhood, the original versions aren’t made with the healthiest ingredients: refined sugars, palm & soybean oil, red 3 and many other cringeworthy ingredients.
While this is okay occasionally, I knew this was one that I needed to recreate due to how often my kids ask for popsicles. So, I set out on a mission to recreate these into healthy strawberry popsicles, keeping all the nostalgic flavours but made with wholesome ingredients.
The result was a healthy take on my childhood favourite that I hope you’ll love and will become a summer tradition for your family as well!
Healthy Strawberry Popsicles Recipe
Gluten-free, Nut-free & Vegan
Prep time: 5 minutes | Chill time: 5 hours | Makes: 8 popsicles, depending on the size of your mold
Ingredients
- 2.5 cups strawberries
- 1 15-oz can of coconut milk
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 tbsp vanilla
- ½ cup freeze-dried strawberries
Directions
- In a high-powered blender, blend the strawberries, coconut milk, maple syrup and vanilla.
- Pour into a popsicle mold and freeze for 5 hours.
- Place the freeze-dried strawberries in a food processor and blend until smooth.
- Once the Healthy Strawberry Popsicles are set, let them sit at room temperature for 10 minutes to slightly melt.
- Gently coat the popsicles in the freeze-dried strawberries and freeze for 10 minutes or until ready to serve.
TIP: I know it can be hard to find freeze-dried strawberries, I found them in the baby food section. If you can’t find them, you can make my Healthy Strawberry Popsicles without the topping.
Why These Healthy Strawberry Popsicles Are A Better Option For Your Health
Move over, sugar-filled popsicles! These creamy, healthy strawberry popsicles are truly in a league of their own.
Traditional popsicles are filled with artificial & natural flavours (P.S. don’t fall for the word ‘natural’), artificial colours, corn syrup and sugar. My healthy strawberry popsicles are full of fuel-filled nutrients, including strawberries, coconut milk and maple syrup. While there are so many restrictive diets now, these popsicles fit most as they are vegan, gluten-free, nut-free and offer you so many health benefits.
Health Benefits of Strawberries
Strawberries aren’t just sweet and delicious, but they are a powerhouse of nutrition. They are filled with antioxidants like Vitamin C, which can help boost your immune system and fight off those dangerous free radicals that can cause many diseases.
These juicy berries also contain vitamins and minerals like manganese, folate and potassium, which are all essential for heart health and overall wellness.
Strawberries are also low in calories and high in fibre, maintaining a balanced blood sugar and offering you that smooth digestion that we all dream of! Strawberries give us a natural sweetness, making them a great way to satisfy those sugar cravings without the negative side effects.
Note: Unfortunately, strawberries are one of the most heavily pesticide-sprayed fruits. Using organic is the best option. If that isn’t an option for you, soak the berries in water and baking soda for about 20 minutes to remove those harsh pesticides.
Check out some great strawberry recipes from my website.
Health Benefits of Coconut Milk
While many know that coconut milk is a perfect, creamy alternative for dairy, the health benefits are not commonly known.
Coconut milk is rich in healthy fats as it contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which have been known to provide energy and potentially boost metabolism.
It also contains something called lauric acid that research has suggested may raise our ‘good’ cholesterol (HDL).
Coconut milk also offers anti-inflammatory properties due to its bioactive compounds that protect cells from damage.
Meal Planning Template
I have a treat for you!
I made you a free, printable weekly meal-planning template designed to make healthy eating easier for busy professionals and families.
This template can help you organize your meals, plan your grocery shopping, avoid ordering takeout, and significantly reduce the time you take to make a decision on what to make for dinner.
My Meal Planning Template is very easy to use with its very user-friendly layout.
This will make your summer so much more enjoyable. It will give you more time to spend with your friends and family in the sun, all while staying healthy and keeping your nutrient intake high.
Here is the link to the template.
Happy meal planning!
Upcoming Lunch & Learn: Meal Planning & Meal Prep
In my upcoming corporate wellness Lunch & Learn, I’ll be providing you and your team with tips on how to meal prep efficiently so that you can save time and enjoy your summer with less stress.
Food shouldn’t be stressful, and having a meal prep schedule can relieve so much of that weight you might feel from constantly having to plan dinners, cook dinner, and grocery shop, all while trying to keep it healthy.
This session is ideal for workplaces looking to support employee wellness in these summer months. My Lunch & Learns are fun, informative, and packed with tips to help you build healthy habits that stick throughout the season.
Ready to bring this wellness experience to your team?
Email me at info@jesselanewellness.com or visit my Corporate Wellness page to learn more and book your session.
More Frozen Treats to Beat the Heat
Creamy Avocado Chocolate Pops
These healthy fudgesicles are one of my family’s favourite summer desserts. They are perfect for a post-beach treat. Avocado and coconut milk fuel these treats and help keep them cool and refreshing. The best part is, they taste like chocolate but are still completely nourishing.
Vegan Blueberry Ice Cream
This ice cream is perfect for those who love a fruity, refreshing treat in the summer. Full of antioxidants and nourishing ingredients, this is a staple for those of you with a sweet tooth (like me)! Each bite will satisfy your ice cream craving, without experiencing that classic post-dessert crash from aggressive blood sugar spikes.
Make healthy ice cream in minutes.
Banana Ice Cream
This truly might be the easiest recipe you will ever make. With just 2 ingredients and 5 minutes of your day, you will have a decadent, banana-flavoured ice cream! This is the perfect go-to treat when you’re craving something sweet but want to keep it simple and healthy.
Impress your family with my 2-ingredient ice cream.
