I don’t know about you guys, but in my opinion, there is no better way to beat the heat than with a cool treat. But if you are like me, and have perhaps packed on a little quarantine weight, you may be looking for healthier options that aren’t packed with too much sugar and empty calories.

Lucky for you, I have concocted some sinful summer desserts that will allow you to get your fix without the guilt. I have “Elevated” a strawberry cheesecake for decadent popsicles, added Zen to stevia-sweetened lemonade for refreshing push-pops, packed protein into a berry-good parfait, and made a super fun “Beautified” gelatin.

I guarantee these will be a hit, and your family will never know our little secret.

4 Healthy Twists on Your Favorite Summer Treats

1. Keto Strawberry Cheesecake Popsicles

Ingredients:

• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 scoop Keto Elevate
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1/4 tsp stevia extract (or monk fruit extract)
• 2 cups fresh strawberries chopped, divided

Directions:

1. Blend cream cheese in a food processor (or blender).
2. Add cream, Keto Elevate, lemon juice, and stevia and continue to blend.
3. Finally, add 1 ½ cups of the strawberries and blend again.
4. Fold in remaining chopped strawberries.
5. Pour mixture into popsicle molds and add popsicle sticks.
6. Freeze and enjoy!

Keto Strawberry Cheesecake Popsicles Nutrition Facts:
8 servings

• Calories: 226
• Total Fat: 22 g
• Total Carbohydrate: 5 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g

2. Low-Carb Berry Good Parfait

Ingredients:

• Premade whip topping or whipped heavy cream
• Berries of choice (raspberries, blueberries, blackberries)
• 1 scoop Vanilla Cream Low Carb

Directions:

1. If using premade whip topping (like Natural by Nature, Reddi-Wip, Cabot Whipped Cream, Truwhip, 365 Real Dairy Whipped Cream, or even Cool Whip), simply stir in 1 scoop of Low Carb until incorporated.
2. Layer whipped cream with berries in a mason jar (or another type of container) and alternate until you reach the top.
3. Enjoy!

Low-Carb Berry Good Parfait Nutrition Facts (made with real whipped cream):
1 serving

• Calories: 549
• Total Fat: 43 g
• Total Carbohydrate: 28 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 15 g

Low-Carb Berry Good Parfait Nutrition Facts (made with Natural by Nature Whipped Cream):
1 serving

• Calories: 255
• Total Fat: 13 g
• Total Carbohydrate: 26 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 13 g

Chef Note: Something fun I have tried is adding fresh mint leaves to heavy cream and refrigerating overnight. In the morning, remove the mint leaves and whip until stiff peaks form. This is great for this dessert as it really enhances the flavor profile.

3. Collagen Gelatin

Ingredients:

• 1 packet of unflavored gelatin (I look for grass-fed, organic brands)
• 1 scoop of Ageless Beauty Collagen
• Water, according to gelatin directions

Directions:

1. Make gelatin according to package instructions.
2. 2. Stir in one scoop of Ageless Beauty Collagen.
3. Add to jello molds or small cups/containers
4. Refrigerate for three to four hours until set.
5. Enjoy!

Ageless Beauty Gelatin Nutrition Facts:
2 servings

• Calories: 60
• Total Fat: 0 g
• Total Carbohydrate: 0 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 14.5 g

4. Low-Carb Tropical Push-Pops

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Simply Pure lemonade (Stevia-sweetened)
• 1 packet Zen-ZZZ
• Berries to garnish (optional)

Directions:

1. Make Zen-ZZZ according to package instructions (but with lemonade instead of water).
2. Fill popsicle molds or sleeves with the mixture.
3. Add berries (optional).
4. Freeze for four to five hours.
5. Enjoy!

Chef Notes: I also decided to make some popsicles with this same mixture, and they are the perfect after-dinner treat, as they will help to calm your mind and body, while also satisfying your craving for dessert.

Zen-ZZZ Push-Pops Nutrition Facts:
4 servings

• Calories: 29
• Total Fat: 0 g
• Total Carbohydrate: 7 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 0 g