Unfortunately, there’s one universal truth to snacking. If it’s tasty, it’s usually bad for you. But that’s no longer set in stone. Today we look at alternatives to ice cream.

We all love ice cream, but with an average of 137 calories per ½ cup, ice cream doesn’t love us back. This is especially true to the growing number of Americans who suffer from lactose intolerance. So how can we enjoy our favorite summertime snack without feeling guilty?

Froyo

Frozen yogurt is the easiest substitution you can make for ice cream.

Frozen yogurt is a common alternative sold in most stores that’s like ice cream in most aspects. Even texturally, it can be difficult to find an obvious difference. The biggest of these is that frozen yogurt lacks the cream, and about half the fat. The health benefits of frozen yogurt do depend on what you add, of course. Cookie dough chunks are tasty, but just as unhealthy in frozen yogurt as they are in ice cream. There are some pretty delicious sounding recipes, though.

Frozen yogurt is the easiest substitution you can make for ice cream. You can find many options at your local grocery store. If you would rather take a hands-on approach, frozen yogurt is surprisingly easy to make at home.

You can also use yogurt to make this delicious Moose Tracks Overnight Oatmeal recipe.

Sorbet and Italian Ice

Another option for the health nut with a sweet tooth is sorbets and Italian ices. You can find both in grocery stores, much like frozen yogurts. Both are made by combining boiling water with sugar to create a simple syrup and adding flavoring.

The biggest difference between the two comes down to how you add the flavor.

The biggest difference between the two comes down to how you add the flavor. Sorbet gets the flavor through blending fruit into the simple syrup and freezing. Italian ice gets it from juice. If those two recipes seem too challenging, an easier option may be to find these at your local store.

Could It Be As Simple As Frozen Fruit?!

Frozen fruit: Your options are near endless.

Frozen fruit has the natural sweetness of ice cream without the cream and much of the fat and calories. If this sounds like a good option for you, look no further than frozen bananas. You can make chocolate-covered popsicles out of them, cut them up and make bit-sized frozen treats or even blend them up and make ice cream. Your options are near endless.

Bananas aren’t your only option, either. Coconut snow is an option for those who crave a tropical twist. This recipe for raspberry nice cream creates a delicious substitute with no cream, sugar, or milk. There are many, many options for you to choose from when it comes to frozen fruit desserts.

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Ice cream is a beloved dessert for many. An ice cream cone on a hot night reminds you of baseball games, picnics, beach trips: Summertime personified. With these options for ice cream substitutes, summers are yours to enjoy again!