Cool Summer Treats for Athletes

If you’re looking for some new, refreshing ideas for summer treats that are both nutritious and delicious, check out the following recipes for beverages and freezer pops. Most ingredients, such as xylitol, flaxseed, silken tofu, soymilk and guar gum can be found at local health food stores or in the health food section of your supermarket. The recipes are loaded with essential vitamins and other nutrients that will fuel your body and help manage your craving for something sweet while not adding to your waistline.

• 2 cups sparkling water
• 3 cups ice cubes
• 2 limes, peeled and seeded
• 2 tsp. xylitol **
• 4 mint sprigs

Blend lime with ice and add water and xylitol. Blend a few more seconds and pour into glasses. Garnish with mint sprigs

**Xylitol is a sugar alcohol sweetener used as a naturally occurring sugar substitute. It is found in the fibers of many fruits and vegetables, including various berries, cornhusks, oats and mushrooms. It can be extracted from corn fiber, birch raspberries, plums and corn. Xylitol is roughly as sweet as sucrose with only two-thirds the food energy.

• 1 cup pure blood orange juice
• 1 cup frozen blueberries
• 1 tsp. xylitol
• 1 tsp. lemon juice
• ½ tsp. guar gum powder

Combine all ingredients in blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Pour into freer pop mold and freeze.

• 1 cup pineapple nectar
• 1 frozen banana
• 1 Tbsp. lime juice

Combine all ingredients in blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Pour into freezer pop mold and freeze.

• 1 cup organic 2% milk
• 2 tsp. dark cocoa powder
• 2 tsp. xylitol
• ½ tsp. guar gum powder

Combine all ingredients in blender or food processor until smooth. Pour into freezer pop mold and freeze.

• 1 cup frozen strawberries
• ½ cup frozen mango chunks
• ½ cup sliced fresh or 1 small frozen banana
• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1 Tbsp. ground flaxseed
• 1 Tbsp. maple syrup or honey
• 1 cup ice

Combine all ingredients in blender and blend on high until smooth.

• 1 cup vanilla soymilk
• ½ cup plain yogurt
• 1 cup frozen strawberries
• ½ cup silken tofu
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Blend all ingredients together and serve immediately. Garnish with fresh strawberry.