The perfect after school sweet treat – @Popsicle

Now that school is back in session I have to alter my shopping just a wee bit. Now when I shop I have to make sure to pick up lunch-friendly foods and snacks (specifically things that don’t necessarily need to be kept cool) as well as healthy options for after school snacking. Both of my kids have lunch 4th period. That is very early for them. No matter how much food I send them to school with they both come home starving and invade the kitchen like a swarm of locus. LOL! My son especially will eat everything in sight.

I always make sure to provide the kids with healthy snack options. There is always plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables available to them. I also like to keep things like unsalted pretzels and crackers on hand, as well as low fat cheese spreads and peanut butter.

Sometimes my kids want something sweet, like cookies or candy. I don’t keep candy in our home because I KNOW we’ll eat it. I do keep cookies on hand but I try and limit how many the kids eat so that they don’t over indulge. I know they are only kids and enjoy sweet treats from time to time but as a parent you have to worry about the fat and sugars they are consuming too.

Popsicles are my #1 treat option to help satisfy my kid’s (and myself) sweet tooths. Popsicle has so many different products available including some that are only 15 calories per serving, making them diet friendly too.

Currently we have Popsicle Scribbers in the freezer. My husband also picked up Drakes Devil Dogs because they were on sale. Both snacks my kids enjoy. Let’s compare them.

Popsicle Scribbers – 1 pop is 30 calories, 0 fat and 6 grams of carbs.

Devil Dog – 1 cake is 170 calories, 7 grams of fat and 26 grams of carbs

Let’s say for example your child consumed 4 Scribblers or 4 Devil Dogs over the course of a week. The Popsicle Scribbers add up to 120 calories, 0 fat and a total of 24 carbs. The Devil Dogs add up to a whopping 680 calories, 28 grams of fat and 104 carbs. That is a HUGE difference.

The choice is clear. If your child (or yourself!) are looking for a sweet snacking option Popsicles are the clear winners.

I tend to buy the sugar free Popsicles, but most Popsicles are low in calories and have 0 fat. The only Popsicles that tend to have a bit more as far as calories is concerned include the new Yosicles, character pops such as Dora the Explorer and Creamsicles. None the less these pops are only around 100 calories each and still a much healthier option than snack cakes.

Because Popsicles are available in so many different flavors and varieties you and your family should never get bored with them. I prefer the simple Popsicles (grape, cherry and orange) where as my kids love the character ones and pops such as Scribbles and the Yosicles.

If you are looking for a treat to satisfy your craving for chocolate don’t forget Popsicle’s Fudgsicle ice pops. Fudgsicles range in calories from 40 (sugar free) to 100 (large Fudgsicle pops). They are also available in Fat Free (60 calories).

The great thing about having Popsicles handy for my children to snack on is that I don’t have to worry about what they are eating. Even if they grabbed for two Popsicle products I would not be concerned. I know they make healthy snack options throughout the week so it’s perfectly OK to let them indulge from time to time. Knowing that Popsicle products are low in calories, fat and carbs makes me feel good having them on hand year round in my freezer.

If you would like to learn more about Popsicle products, including nutritional values and varieties, visit www.Popsicle.com. You can also find them on Facebook (www.Facebook.com/Popsicle) and on Twitter (@Popsicle). Make sure to check out the “Fun Lab” on Popsicle’s Facebook page as well as the coupon you can download.