The summer months are a great time to be outside, spend time with friends and enjoy more free time than you may have during the school year. Between sunscreen and bathing suits, there is often opportunity for frozen treats such as ice cream and popsicles.  For everyone, particularly women with PCOS, who may be concerned about the amount of refined carbohydrate in a dessert or managing their weight, it can be helpful to take a peek at the nutrition label of ice cream or popsicles.

Many of these products have a significant amount of added sugar, or refined carbohydrate, which can cause an increase in blood sugar levels for women with insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is one of the symptoms of PCOS and this makes it harder for your body to process the added sugars from products. While frozen treats can certainly be enjoyed in moderation, take a look at the nutrition facts panel and see how many grams of carbohydrate the treat you are about to enjoy has. Be wary of products that may be advertised as healthy, such as some fruit flavored popsicles, which could have a significant amount of added sugar.

In addition to a rise in blood sugar, some women with PCOS have difficulty maintaining, or losing, weight. If this sounds like you, it can be helpful to spend some time at the grocery store, comparing products side by side to better understand which treat is the healthier option. When you are comparing labels, take a look at the number of grams of carbohydrates as well as the ingredient list to see if there is sugar added, beyond just the natural lactose of the ice cream or the fruit flavor of the popsicle.

If you are craving a cold summer treat, consider making your own! Try one of the healthy recipes below:

Frozen bananas – Slice up a banana and then lightly drizzle it with melted chocolate. Freeze the slices on a cookie sheet or baking tray and enjoy a tasty bite of sweetness.

Popsicles – Try making your own popsicles by buying popsicle molds and then mixing together ingredients such as plain yogurt and some chopped up berries.

There are lots of ideas on the internet for healthy frozen recipes too! Check out a Pinterest board or other recipe sites to see if anything looks healthy and satisfying and then give it a try!

Dietitian Amy