Summertime was made for sugary sweets from that pesky ice-cream man to the nutritional wastelands of gas stations and airports where a candy bar serves as a last-ditch distraction for cranky kids on a long weekend trip.
 
Just in time for the Fourth of July weekend (and all those car trips and holiday barbecues!), Keri Glassman from NYC-based Nutritious Life has shared with us a delicious list of healthy desserts to satisfy your child’s sweet tooth – without the cavities! The best part? Each recipe is a piece of cake. 

- Tracey Frost Rensky, CEO & Co-founder, Citibabes

Keeping children healthy can be difficult when desserts are in demand – especially in the summer which are filled with picnics, barbeques, road trips to the beach and even 4^th of July parties. Low fat dairy, fruits, and whole grains are all wonderful alternatives to get your sugar fix and keep kids snack happy! Here are a few ideas:  

• A homemade fruit pop: Puree one mango with 6 oz. of plain, nonfat yogurt. Pour into popsicle molds and freeze until firm.
• Pudding pops: Make pudding with low fat milk and freeze in popsicle molds until firm.
• Frozen fruit: Bananas on popsicle sticks are great. You can dip them in melted dark chocolate and roll in chopped nuts or sprinkles for an added treat!
• Homemade fruit tarts: Spread nonfat yogurt on a graham cracker. Top with berries, sliced bananas or any other fruit your child likes.
• Fruit smoothie: Combine 1 cup of berries, a container of nonfat yogurt and ice and blend until smooth.
• Cottage cheese “sundae”: Top low fat cottage cheese with chopped nuts and berries.
• Apple “fries” with dip: Cut an apple into fry shapes. Serve with caramel sauce or yogurt for kids to dip.
• Fruit crisps: Bake sliced apples, add raisins and drizzle with honey.
• Dark chocolate covered strawberries: These are great for kids to help make!
• Homemade applesauce: Core and chop apples. Place in a pot and cover with water. Simmer until apples are tender and then mash. Add cinnamon and/or nutmeg to taste.
• Whole-grain waffles with ½ a cup of frozen yogurt.
• Homemade carrot cake: Substitute canola oil for butter and use lemon yogurt instead of cream cheese frosting.
• 2 small, homemade oatmeal raisin or chocolate chips cookies: Substitute applesauce for butter and whole wheat flour for white flour.

By Keri Glassman, A Nutritious Life

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