| The very best popsicles are the ones you make | | | | with sucralose (splenda) and to avoid the ones made |
| yourself because then you have 100% control over | | | | with aspartame. In my opinion, the splenda product is |
| the ingredients. Popsicles are fast, easy and | | | | a less objectionable choice because there are less |
| inexpensive to make, and a really delicious | | | | unwanted side-effect problems assocated with it -- |
| home-made fruity yogurt popsicle recipe is provided | | | | especially for kids who are getting a lot of aspartame |
| at the end of this article. | | | | in other diet products or diet drinks. |
| The popsicles you buy in your grocery store are a | | | | My two "faves" are Klondike and Edy's, but I |
| kind of highly processed food, and reliance on | | | | wouldn't rule out the Fudgsicle/Popsicle products, |
| processed rather than whole, natural foods is what | | | | which are both made with aspartame, if that's all you |
| gets us into weight trouble. For example, the typical | | | | can find. |
| popsicle ingredients list includes lots of | | | | 1. Klondike Slima-a-Bear 100 Calorie Bars - NO SUGAR |
| hard-to-pronounce chemicals. This is okay | | | | ADDED (sweetened with sucralose) |
| occasionally and in small doses, but mostly you want | | | | 2.Edy's NO SUGAR ADDED Fruit bars (sweetened |
| to avoid having too many highly processed foods | | | | with sucralose). |
| with chemicals and other substances added to them. | | | | 3. Fudgsicle NO SUGAR ADDED (sweetened with |
| That said, we all have the need for off-the-shelf | | | | aspartame) |
| snacks once in a while, and the purpose of this article | | | | 4. SUGAR FREE Popsicle (sweetened with |
| is to help you sort out the best, most readily | | | | aspartame) |
| available popsicle choices. | | | | Karen Bentley's Recipe for Fruity Yogurt Pops |
| There are lots of low-fat/low-calorie popsicles | | | | (From the Sugar-Free Miracle Diet Cookbook - Snack |
| products, but beware because the majority of these | | | | Collection) |
| popsicles are sweetened with sugar and/or high | | | | Serves: 8 |
| fructose corn syrup. Even a little bit of sugar can | | | | Ingredients: |
| trigger food cravings, turn you into a crazy person | | | | 2 cups plain, sugar-free Greek yogurt (low-fat is |
| with food, and lead to a binge. For example, eating | | | | okay, but be sure there's no sugar in it. Most |
| just one seemingly harmless popsicle made with | | | | low-fat products are made with caloric sweeteners.) |
| sugar can turn into an out-of-control eating episode | | | | 2 cups frozen berries (mixed or dark berries are best |
| where you end up eating the whole box and more. | | | | because they have the most flavor) |
| So definitely pass on any popsicle made with sugar, | | | | 1/2 cup sucralose (Splenda) or non-caloric sweetener |
| no matter how tempting it might be to induldge in | | | | of your choice |
| low-calorie or low-fat choice. | | | | 2 teaspoons sugar-free vanilla |
| Instead, always look for the phrase "no sugar added" | | | | Directions: |
| on the popsicle product cover. Many popsicle | | | | Get your popsicle molds and sticks ready. Or, |
| manufacturers have two variations of the same | | | | alternatively, use 8 four-ounce paper cups as molds |
| product -- one that's made with caloric sweeteners | | | | with large toothpicks. Put the frozen fruit and |
| and one that isn't. This is why you shouldn't make a | | | | sucralose in a food processor and process for 1 or 2 |
| decision based on brand name alone. Always take | | | | minutes until the berries have a granular |
| the time to look for the sugar-free product. The | | | | consistency. Stop the processor. Add vanilla and |
| next thing you want to do is take a scan of the | | | | yogurt. Process again until a smooth and creamy |
| ingredients list to see what substance or substances | | | | consistency is achieved, about 1 minute. Pour into |
| are used to artificially sweeten the product. My | | | | popsicle molds. Freeze. Eat. Enjoy. |
| personal preference is to seek out the ones made | | | | |