Summer treats don’t have to be off-limits when it comes to weight loss!

There are plenty of nutritious, fruity, chocolatey, refreshing and healthy desserts to keep your taste buds happy while meeting your health goals. Spoiler alert: These desserts feature many of the healthy summer foods we’ve previously shared with you on our blog.

Read on for our favorite healthy summer treats including new offerings from Jenny Craig.

If you’re a Jenny member, consult your coach before adding additional foods to your plan to ensure you stay on track!

1. Frozen pineapple whip

Craving a fruity frozen treat? To make this delicious and healthy ice cream substitute, combine 2 ounces of pineapple juice, ¾ cup nonfat vanilla Greek yogurt, 1 cup frozen pineapple chunks and 2 teaspoons of a no-calorie sweetener of your choice in a blender until smooth and creamy. In addition to being rich in vitamin C and manganese, pineapples contain bromelain, which may aid digestion and reduce inflammation.¹

2. New Fudge Nut Recharge Bar

Want to make intermittent fasting easier? Jenny Craig’s new Fudge Nut Recharge Bar is a sweet and tasty way to start your day and not break your fast! Our revolutionary Recharge Bar is made with simple ingredients like heart-healthy nuts, chocolate and a hint of honey — plus it’s gluten free! It’s designed to increase fat burn and help you feel less hungry on Max Up, our most effective program ever.‡

‡When used as directed as part of metabolic fasting diet

3. Ants on a log

Eating celery doesn’t have to be bland with ants on a log. Spread a small amount of almond butter (or another nut butter you enjoy!) on the middle of each celery stick and top with antioxidant-rich blueberries or a few dark chocolate chips. Almonds in almond butter are rich in healthy monounsaturated fats that may reduce the risk of heart disease and support weight loss.² Plus, ants on a log are delightful summer snacks for parties!

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Pro tip: If your goals include weight loss, stick to a tablespoon of nut butter per serving.

4. Frozen Greek yogurt pops

Mix some nonfat, plain Greek yogurt with your favorite berries in a blender, then freeze in popsicle molds. Even in its frozen form, Greek yogurt is high in protein to help you stay full on your weight loss journey — each cup contains 24 grams of protein.³ And, berries are low in calories, rich in fiber and contain antioxidants!⁴ One of our other healthy summer snacks recommendations also features Greek yogurt and berries, and this is just another fun way to enjoy it.

Photo by Daniel Öberg on Unsplash

5. Fruit & cheese skewers

Looking for quick but impressive summer snacks for parties that you’re attending or hosting? Try making some fruit and cheese skewers! All you need are fruits that are big enough to be skewered, cubes of low-fat cheese and kebab skewers. Cubed melons or pineapples, strawberries and grapes are all healthy choices to pair with cheese.

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Pro tip: If you’re watching your portion sizes, stick to 1 ounce of cheese per serving (about the size of your thumbprint).

6. Watermelon refresher

No list of treats for summer is complete without the ultimate summer fruit: watermelon! One of our favorite recipes is the sweet and delicious watermelon refresher. Blend 1 cup of cubed watermelon, 1 cup of coconut water, 1 tablespoon of lime juice, 2-3 sprigs of fresh mint and ice for a tasty and refreshing summer beverage. With its high water content, watermelon is a filling and low-calorie fruit that supports weight loss. And, one clinical trial showed that coconut water can be just as hydrating as sugary sports drinks.⁵

7.   Chocolate Fudge Reduced Fat Ice Cream

Ah, Jenny’s Chocolate Fudge Reduced Fat Ice Cream. This new treat almost seems too good to be true, with its decadent swirls of rich fudge! With only 3.5 grams of fat, 6 grams of protein and 130 calories, this frosty dessert is guaranteed to be one of your favorite healthy weight loss treats this summer. Can it top our list of most popular desserts?

8. Dark chocolate

Yes, chocolate made it onto our list of weight loss treats for summer — all foods fit in moderation, after all! Dark chocolate is different from milk chocolate as it does not contain any added milk solids. It contains polyphenols, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects on the body.⁶ Try to choose dark chocolate that has at least 70% cocoa content for lower added sugar content.

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Pro tip: Enjoy 1-2 ounces of dark chocolate to reap the benefits and stay on track with your weight loss goals!

9. Fruit pizza

One of the best aspects of summer is the availability of fresh fruit. Cut watermelon into round slabs, spread with a bit of sugar-free whipped topping and then top with sliced fresh fruit like berries or kiwis. If you’re splitting with friends or family, feel free to cut the pizza into slices — yummy!

10. Chocolate avocado mousse

Combine an avocado, unsweetened coconut milk, unsweetened cocoa powder and a no-calorie sweetener of your choice in a blender for this creamy pudding-like dessert. Makes 4 servings. Avocados are powerhouse fruits rich in vitamins A, B6, C, E, K, magnesium and heart-healthy monounsaturated fatty acids.⁷

11.  Frozen blueberry bites

You may already be familiar with yogurt-covered fruits from eating trail mix. Now it’s time to recreate a healthier version of these with frozen blueberry bites! Use a toothpick to dip each blueberry in a nonfat Greek yogurt of your choice. Then, transfer to a parchment-lined cookie sheet and put in the freezer for an hour. Enjoy!

12.  Mediterranean skewers

If you love savory treats for summer, try skewering some sliced fresh mozzarella, Kalamata olives and grape tomatoes. These healthy summer treats are low in calories but high in heart-healthy fats and fiber. According to a review, olives may reduce the risk of heart disease, contain antioxidants and are anti-inflammatory.⁸

13.  Frozen dark chocolate strawberries

These taste like chocolate-dipped strawberries straight out of a chocolate fountain! Melt 1 tablespoon of dark chocolate chips in a microwaveable bowl. Use a toothpick to dip each strawberry into the melted chocolate. Transfer to a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for at least two hours for delicious, healthy weight loss treats. Enjoy!

14.   Peanut butter energy bites

Combine 2/3 cup of rolled oats, 1/4 cup of unsweetened shredded coconut, 2/3 cup of peanut butter and a handful of dark chocolate chips in a bowl. Roll into 1-inch balls and enjoy! These energy bites are healthy summer treats rich in fiber and protein, making healthy eating easier for those of you with a busy summer schedule.

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Pro tip: Stick to one ball per serving to stay on track with your weight loss progress!

15.  Vanilla Caramel Swirl Reduced Fat Ice Cream

Served in a smart portion with 130 calories, 3 grams of total fat, 6 grams of protein and 2 grams of dietary fiber, Jenny Craig’s Vanilla Caramel Swirl Reduced Fat Ice Cream is a fabulous choice for summer for those of you who prefer vanilla over chocolate!

The bottom line

Healthy weight loss treats can help you stay on track this summer with your goals! Regardless of whether you prefer sweet or salty snacks, there are delicious and nutritious options available.

Check out Jenny Craig’s food menu which contains meals designed by weight loss experts. These chef-crafted meals and snacks include tasty summer treats in smart portions!

Are you ready to take your weight loss to the Max? Jenny Craig can help! Learn more about our most effective and holistic program ever — Max Up!

Sources

[1] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27602208/

[2] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31243439/

[3] https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/1097563/nutrients

[4] https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/1102700/nutrients

[5] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12056182/

[6] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28649251/

[7] https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/1102652/nutrients

[8] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33354328/