Vegan Popsicles: 3 Easy Recipes to Cool You Down

The Story Behind the Recipes

You can't beat summer!

Pool days, watermelon, grapes, and popsicles. What's not to love?

The popsicles at my neighborhood grocery store are full of artificial colors and refined white sugar—not the ingredients I want to fuel my body with.

So I decided to make my own popsicles at home with wholesome ingredients, aiming for something that could support recovery after a tough workout, help us unwind, and offer some anti-inflammatory benefits along the way.

Vegan Mango, Spirulina, and Soy Milk Popsicles

Deep green popsicles with a delicate mango flavor that's seriously good.

Makes 4 popsicles

Ingredients

• 1 mango, peeled
• 1 cup unsweetened soy milk
• 1 level tablespoon spirulina

Directions

1. Blend thoroughly, pour into popsicle molds, and freeze.

Each popsicle contains: 95 calories, 1.8 g protein, 2.8 g fat, and 14 mg calcium; rich in fiber, vitamin C, vitamin A, and omega-3s.

Noam Behar (an Israeli nutrition consultant and fitness trainer) explains: "These green popsicles offer a good dose of antioxidants, which may support recovery between workouts, help ward off fatigue, and contribute to reducing inflammation and supporting the immune system.

They contain several types of polyphenols and are rich in vitamins A and C, all of which play a role in antioxidant protection."

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Vegan Green Tea Popsicles with Peanut Butter, Grapes, Mint, Lemon Verbena, and Date Syrup

A refreshing popsicle for a little mind-and-body downtime.

Makes 4 popsicles

Ingredients

• 1 cup strongly brewed green tea
• 2 teaspoons natural peanut butter, unsweetened and unsalted
• 1 cup green grapes
• 2 teaspoons silan (date syrup)
• 3–4 mint and lemon verbena leaves

Directions

1. Brew 1 cup of strong green tea.
2. Coarsely blend the grapes.
3. Mix in the remaining ingredients, except the herbs, until the date syrup and peanut butter are well incorporated.
4. Add the mint and lemon verbena leaves.
5. Pour into popsicle molds and freeze.

Each popsicle contains: 41 calories, 0.7 g protein, 1 g fat, and 6 mg calcium; rich in fiber and magnesium.

Nutrition consultant and fitness trainer Noam Behar explains: "Theanine, an amino acid found in green tea, is associated with properties that may help promote a sense of calm."

"Green tea also contains antioxidants that help protect the body's cells against damage caused by free radicals."

"Green tea has properties that may be beneficial in a range of conditions, including high cholesterol, elevated blood fats, cardiovascular disease, degenerative diseases, and digestive issues."

"Green tea may also promote a feeling of fullness and help soothe the digestive system."

"Mint and lemon verbena provide dietary fiber, vitamins A and C, folate, and minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, and potassium. They also supply B vitamins, including thiamin, niacin, and vitamin B6."

"Peanut butter isn't just delicious. It also provides some great nutrients: vitamin E, magnesium (which helps build bones), potassium (an electrolyte that supports muscle function), and vitamin B6, which supports the immune system and helps with protein metabolism and red blood cell production. Peanut butter contains monounsaturated fat, a better choice than saturated fat."

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Vegan Berry, Soy Milk, and Cashew Popsicles

Gorgeous pink popsicles with a can't-stop-eating-it flavor and an iron boost.

Ingredients

• 1 cup berries, fresh or frozen
• 1 cup unsweetened soy milk
• 8 cashews, soaked in plenty of water for at least 4 hours

Directions

1. Blend thoroughly in a food processor, pour into popsicle molds, and freeze.

Each popsicle contains: 86 calories, 1 g protein, 4 g fat, and 14 mg calcium, plus vitamin A, vitamin C, magnesium, iron, folate, and fiber.

Nutrition consultant and fitness trainer Noam Behar explains: "Berries are known for being among the richest sources of antioxidants, including vitamins A and C and flavonoids."

"All of them contain compounds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties."

"Cashews contain twice as much iron as most other nuts, with 50 g (1.8 oz)—25 cashews—providing 3 mg of the 11 mg that women need each day."

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