When it heats up outside, the siren song of the ice-cream man's truck may be the only thing that gets the kids out of the air-conditioned house on the double. But if you're worried about the fat, calories and sugar of those tasty treats, then the ice-cream man might be doling out cold comfort. Nothing in the truck is "nutritious," exactly, but some choices are better than others. Those brightly colored popsicles that kids love so much are perfect choices. The Bullet - that patriotic red, white and blue confection - has little fat and just 70 calories. The ice-cream bars with candy or chocolate centers are a less conservative choice, clocking in with around 300-400 calories and 23 or more grams of fat! Creamsicles make a perfect 100-calorie snack, and the classic ice cream sandwich is one of the better choices on the truck, too. Thinking outside the truck? The grocery store freezer has lots of cool, satisfying confections. Edy's or Dreyer's reduced-fat options are great choices that offer all the flavor at a fraction of the calories and fat. Just watch portions - the nutritional information is heartening, but only if you stick to the half-cup serving size. Sorbets are great choices, too, and usually have little fat.
Go homemade if you want to get the kids involved in making their own treats. Buy small, soft cookies - Snackwell's Devil's Food are perfect - and reduced-fat ice cream in their favorite flavor. Let the ice cream soften and scoop some between two cookies for a lightened-up, homemade version of gourmet ice cream sandwiches. Roll soft bananas in small chocolate chips and freeze in wax paper for a treat that satisfies and gives kids an extra potassium punch. For toddlers, bite-sized chunks of mango can be put on popsicle sticks and frozen for a sweet treat. Concerned about a melting mess? Many classic frozen treats come in smaller versions that melt more slowly, including small popsicles that contain a bit of gelatin to keep them from running down kids' arms. Ice cream is the perfect treat in hot weather, so feel good about kids' choices - and don't hesitate to flag down that truck!