Did you know that July marks National Ice Cream Month? The third Sunday of July has also been declared National Ice Cream Day .
The frozen dessert is one of the best ways to cool off on sweltering days. It’s no surprise we celebrate its existence smack dab in the middle of summer! Traditional ice cream might not be the best choice for a daily treat, though.
Thankfully, there are healthy ice cream recipes we can whip up. Below is my easy-peasy and dairy-free favorite alternative to regular ice cream.
I found this amazing recipe for antioxidant ice cream online, and I’ve been making it ever since.
You’ll need a blender and these ingredients:
Combine everything in the blender and pulse until smooth. Add more almond milk if the mixture is too solid. Serve immediately and store leftovers in the freezer.
Why is this dairy-free concoction called antioxidant ice cream and how healthy is it, really?
It’s important for me to know what I’m feeding my family, so I researched and read up on the three main ingredients.
Berries generally have a great nutritional reputation : high in fiber and vitamins. Making these fruits a regular part of your diet is said to help reduce the risk and symptoms of several chronic diseases.
Blueberries, raspberries, and goji berries contain a lot of antioxidants. These help to prevent cardiovascular issues such as high blood pressure and buildup of LDL cholesterol in the blood. Along with strawberries, blueberries can also lower the risk of diabetes.
These are jam-packed with magnesium, potassium, tryptophan, vitamin C, and vitamin B6. They’re also a great source of fiber and rich in antioxidants.
Because of the combination of nutrients they provide, bananas can help manage depression and even overcome it. Once in the body, tryptophan becomes serotonin – a hormone that elevates and regulates mood . The tryptophan and vitamin B6 in bananas help you sleep better, too, especially with muscle-relaxing magnesium.
This is low in calories and high in nutritional value. Finely ground cacao beans contain calcium, iron, and magnesium – as well as healthy dietary fiber and protein.
Like bananas and most berries, unsweetened cocoa powder is a powerful antioxidant that helps improve heart health and reduce the chances of developing diabetes.
It turns out that berries, bananas, and unsweetened cocoa powder are all antioxidants. Again, you can use any milk substitute to make this healthy ice cream recipe. However, it’s worth noting that almond milk is also an excellent source of vitamin E , which is – you guessed it – a fat-soluble antioxidant.
A final tip: Don’t have berries, cocoa powder, or milk? Make frozen banana ice cream ! Peel and cut bananas into small coins, then freeze for two hours. Pulse in a blender, scraping down the sides from when the banana mash starts to stick. Repeat until it turns creamy.
Let them eat ice cream–everyday! Happy National Ice Cream Month!
dairy-free ice creamfrozen banana ice creamnational ice cream month
