4 Healthy Foods Better Frozen

When you crave sweets, the temptation to open your freezer and get out the high-fat ice cream or sugary popsicles can be hard to resist. Frozen treats perk up your taste buds and are refreshing any day of the year.

Good news: You can enjoy cool pleasures and sweet flavors while staying on the path to your weight loss goal.

Better news: Making frozen treats for yourself is easy and can save you money. We think there’s nothing better than concluding a day with a cup of sweet frozen blueberries (one SmartCarb on Nutrisystem). But the fabulousness of frozen treats doesn’t stop there!

Keep these healthy foods in the freezer so you can enjoy them whenever you want:

1. Bananas

Try: Peel bananas and place them on a baking sheet in the freezer for three hours. Store the bananas inside a freezer bag. Let them defrost for about 10 minutes before eating. For extra flavor, sprinkle a frozen banana lightly with cinnamon before eating. If you’re feeling a little crafty, whip up these healthy frozen banana recipes:

Counts As: 1 medium banana = 1 SmartCarb on Nutrisystem

Weight loss boost: The high potassium content helps your body regulate its sodium levels, limiting water retention and reducing the risk of high blood pressure.

2. Avocado

Try: Cut an avocado in half, remove the pit, and cut the green flesh into half-inch-thick slices. Peel the slices away from the skin and spread them out on a baking sheet. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt and chili powder. Put tray in the freezer for four hours, then pour the slices into a storage bag. Allow the creamy sweet and savory wedges to defrost for about 10 minutes before eating. You can also cut your avocados into chunks and keep them plain if you plan on using them in other recipes.

Counts As: 1/8 of an avocado counts as one Extra on Nutrisystem.

Weight loss boost: Healthy monounsaturated fats provide energy and help with the absorption of vitamins and minerals.

3. Grapes

Try: Go with red or black grapes for sweetest flavor. Rinse them and allow them to dry completely. Remove grapes from the stems and spread the fruit out on a baking sheet. Freeze for at least three hours, then pour them into in a storage bag. Pop a couple in your mouth for instant satisfaction of your craving.

Counts As: One cup of grapes counts as one SmartCarb on Nutrisystem.

Weight loss boost: Resveratrol, an antioxidant found in grapes, helps to balance your insulin levels, which regulate your appetite.

4. Yogurt

Try: Blend your favorite nonfat yogurt with your choice of frozen berries until smooth. Pour the mix into small paper or plastic cups (bathroom size) and insert wooden sticks. Place the cups on a baking sheet in the freezer for four hours, then store inside a freezer bag. Peel away the cup when you’re ready to eat your yogurt treat. These other recipes using frozen yogurt are sweet and simple to make:

Counts As: One cup of nonfat yogurt counts as one PowerFuel on Nutrisystem.

Weight loss boost: Calcium in dairy foods triggers your body to burn rather than store fats.