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9 Homemade Healthy Popsicle Ideas
Healthy popsicles can be a refreshing treat. You don't need an excuse to make and enjoy them.
I was always a popsicle lover as a kid, flagging down the ice cream truck whenever it went by. However those were soooo full of sugar and far from healthy!
Therefore, aside from healthy fruit sugar in these homemade popsicles, did you know popsicles also come in very handy to give much needed relief when kids and adults have constipation?
My daughter Dakota has struggled with constipation issues since she began solid foods.
It doesn't help that she's a "picky" eater. Chicken nuggets and cheese are her top two favorites!
My healthy homemade popsicles and smoothies have been my savior, and of course I make them full of real whole foods and specific ingredients that really help her get a bowel movement naturally.
Read on for a look at some of the specific ingredients to include in your homemade popsicles, including 9 healthy popsicle recipes that contain constipation-aiding ingredients.
The Healthiest Popsicles
The healthiest popsicles contain real fruit, other whole food ingredients and don't have lots of added sugars.
Kids, in general, love popsicles! They’re juicy, tasty, and cold.
They are especially great for babies and toddlers who are teething because they help soothe sore gums.
The homemade popsicles can also help them past a bout of constipation safely and without invasive medications.
Some foods too, like vegetables are easy to slip into a healthy popsicle recipe! My favorites to use include frozen riced cauliflower, zuchinni and sweet potato.
While you might not be able to get your child to EAT vegetables, they can go totally unnoticed in a delicious popsicle.
Healthy Popsicles: Ingredients for Constipation
Each of the nine healthy popsicles I have lined up for you below are sure to be a hit with all ages from babies and toddlers, kids to adults!
Apart from being a delicious and naturally high fiber treat, they also feature one or more of the following ingredients to help with constipation.
No matter what popsicle ideas you're exploring, it's always easy to add some flax seeds and to substitute dates as a sweetener.
1. Flax/chia seeds
Among the many benefits of these two superfoods is that they are good sources of dietary fiber. Having sufficient fiber in your diet helps to both prevent and treat a variety of bowel issues, including constipation. These are must for any smoothie or popsicle recipe in our house.
2. Kefir
Kefir is a probiotics-rich fermented milk product that you can actually make at home. A 2014 pilot study showed that kefir has positive effects on the symptoms of constipation. This helped my daughter a lot, producing a bowel movement within 24 hours of eating one of my healthy fruit popsicles with kefir.
3. Fibrous fruits
As I pointed out above with the flaxseeds and chia seeds, fiber can be very helpful in keeping constipation at bay and alleviating it. Healthy popsicles often include fruit such as apples, oranges, strawberries, and kiwi which are good sources of fiber. So, too, are raspberries, bananas, and mangoes.
4. Dates
Dates might not have as much sorbitol in them as prunes but they are still effective when trying to treat constipation because they are full of fiber.
Instead of liquid sweeteners like maple and agave syrups, add dates to your healthy popsicles for a nutrition boost and a big assist in relieving constipation.
5. Probiotics
Probiotics have a host of health benefits and relieving constipation is one of them. Probiotics help to soften stool, help move stool through the bowels, and increase the number of bowel movements.
Popsicle molds
You have a myriad of options when it comes to the popsicle molds you use for your homemade popsicles. Here are a few points to keep in mind when selecting a good popsicle mold to use.
My Favorite Healthy Popsicle Molds
These are molds I've tested and used. They are the perfect size for little hands. Get the smaller one for babies. Toddlers seem to like both the bigger ones and the small ones.
Hope your little love them too!
Baby Popsicle Molds, 2Pack Homemade Popsicle Molds-BPA Free, Popsicle Molds for Toddlers Popsicle Molds Silicone, Reusable Easy Release Popsicle Maker Kids Ice Cream Diy Pop Molds (Green)
Popsicle Mold Set 4 Pieces Homemade Silicone Popsicle Maker Easy Release Ice Cream Molds Reusable DIY Pop Molds (Green)
Silicone Popsicle Molds 12-cavity, DIY Ice Pop Mold for Kids Adult Teens, BPA Free Ice Cream Molds for Party Yogurt Juice Smoothies Sticks
9 Healthy Homemade Popsicles Recipes
1. Peanut Butter Pudding Pops
These peanut butter pudding popsicles are dairy-free, healthy and super easy to make. Easy to include 1 or more additional ingredients to help baby with digestion. Feel free to use sunflower seed butter for a nut-free version.
2. Watermelon Popsicles with Fruit
Dehydration is a top reason for constipation. These watermelon popsicles are incredibly hydrating. For babies, blend in another fruit such as the kiwi for sweetness and some flax seeds. Chop the pieces of fruit a bit smaller for toddlers.
3. Mango Banana Popsicles
These are super simple mango and banana popsicles that you can add more constipation-aiding ingredients to. I would add just a touch of kefir, some flax seeds and a date rather than agave for sweetening.
4. OJ Lean Green Popsicles
My daughter actually asks for green popsicles now because she has had them since she was a baby! Be sure to replace the coconut nectar with dates for added fiber and add flax seeds.
5. Purple Sweet Potato Popsicles
These healthy and beautifully colored purple sweet potato popsicles are delicious! Use dates instead of maple syrup and flax seeds for added fiber. Pour any leftovers into a dish because it doubles as ice cream!
6. Healthy Fudge Popsicles
This healthier fudge popsicle recipe was developed by holistic nutritionist Peggy K and featured in her book Kitchen Cures. Swap the coconut sugar for dates and for more healthy fats and creaminess use full-fat coconut milk.
7. Carrot Orange Popsicles
Carrots are FULL of fiber. Use kefir instead of yogurt for real probiotics (most probiotics are killed during pasteurization in regular yogurt) and add flax seeds.
8. Strawberry Banana Popsicles
There's a reason strawberry banana is the #1 smoothie, it's an absolutely delicious combo! The perfect color pink, these dairy-free popsicles are loved by all. You can blend the stems in the strawberries if they're organic for added chlorophyll. I always add flax seeds and dates to this and sometimes just a touch of kefir.
9. Orange Creamsicle Popsicles
Your babies will love this healthier, dairy-free, vegan version of the classic (you probably will too!). Avoid all the added white sugar and cream and now it's something to celebrate, especially when it's helps with constipation.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I hope these healthy popsicle ideas for all ages are something you and your children enjoy. Of course you can always add the ingredients that help relieve this to any popsicle recipe you want to try!
Let me know which recipe you try in the comments and how it worked!
