Okay, my husband has to have ice cream every night before going to bed and, although he doesn't overdo it on his portion size, I am concerned about the amount of fat and sugar he is taking in each day. I've been reading a lot lately about the sugar/cancer link and cancer runs in his family. His mom, his and aunt and his grandfather have all died from cancer. Since I love my husband and want to keep him around, I'm looking for a suitable low-sugar replacement. Do any of you have any you can share?
Wow, what wonderful suggestions. Thank you to everyone who responded. Definitely going to give the frozen fruit slushy and plain yogurt with honey and fruit suggestions a try. I'm also more of a health nut and more of a reader than he is but, I think I'm going to start pursuading him to start reading up on cancer prevention. I think that if he studies up on it, he will "own" the knowledge and will be more motivated to lead a healthier lifestyle than if I'm the one telling him what to do. Thank you again for all of your suggestions and have a great weekend!
I've been eating the real fruit popsicles before I go to bed for my ice cream fix, especially the coconut ones!
Frozen sugar free pudding. does it have to be ice cream or can it be something thats sweet and frozen? I make my own (light but not completely sugar free) cheese cake and freeze it in a pie pan.
The cheesecake is creamy like ice cream...mmmmmmm. =)
try a fudgcicle. They're super low in calories and you can buy sugarfree.
(:
Frozen Yogurt.... it may take a few trials to find one you like but they are better then icecream.
Could also do yogurt with fruit... does not seem like a dessert now but after a week or so of eating instead of ice cream it is so refreshing and I usually do not crave ice cream any more.
I have also done homemade smoothies; low fat yogurt, frozen fruit & just enough OJ to make it easier to drink.... has the sweet taste of ice cream with out all the sugar, is filling and healthy.
We do ice cream 2-3 a week but we have a small bowl which only fits a few spoonfuls of ice cream which is a healthy portion and we try to put fruit on top.
Yoplait Whips yogurt -frozen! Let it thaw a few minutes and the orange cream tastes just like orange sherbet! They have key lime pie, chocolate mousse, raspberry chocolate mousse, lemon, vanilla, strawberry -it's GOOD!
What about frozen yogurt? Or ice cream made from coconut milk?
I also really like frozen grapes!!
On our blog we have a couple of easy, healthy recipes that can take the place of ice cream. One is for an easy granita http://welcomingkitchen.blogspot.com/2010/06/two-ingredie... and the other is for a creamy, fruity rice pudding http://welcomingkitchen.blogspot.com/2009/09/autumn-spice.... I hope they help!
Okay:
His eating ice-cream before bed is for emotional reasons... not hunger. AND/or..."maybe" it also helps him to fall asleep... like how kids like to drink milk before bed because it DOES help one to fall asleep and it is soothing.
There is actually an ingredient in milk, that does help people to sleep/relax.
The ice cream is soothing/comforting for him... for whatever reason.
Has he had this habit all his life? Has he always just done this???
Anyway... there are natural sugars... ie: fruit based treats.
Or there is refined sugar... .ie: ice cream, typical desserts
Or there are sugar substitutes.... ie: Splenda, Stevia, etc.
Or, there are "sugar free" substitutes... ie: using Aspartame etc.
So, you need to decide, what 'sugar' taste... is gonna fly with him and that he will substitute for.
Or, have him go to a Nutritionist...
Also, how is his OVER-all diet, daily? Does he eat sugar all day long? Is he an unhealthy eater???
The thing is, it is NOT only what he eats JUST before bed... it is what he is eating ALL day.
And, does he exercise???? Or is he a couch potato?
"Lifestyle" also contributes to how prone a person is to disease, also.
So, I would evaluate this, from that standpoint.
all the best,
Susan
You can make sure he's having smaller portions and the all natural ingredient kind of ice cream. it's not that bad for you - (or him) especially if he's eating healthy all day long! Maybe put some fruit on it (bananas or strawberries) and reduce the amount of ice cream?
greek yogurt with cinnamon , or with cocoa powder, if you MUST have something frozen, go for a lowfat reduced sugar ice cream
Homemade smoothie: blend some frozen fruit with cold milk or yogurt. If you find the right combination it gets very smooth, almost like ice cream and can be eaten with a spoon (pop it in the freezer for a few minutes to firm it up). I add a banana for sweetness.
Good luck!
Homemade fruit slushies that are frozen into popsicles, or eaten straight from the blender are great! I make mine thick that you eat with a spoon. So easy, just experiment with the fruit/flavor/consistency you like. Ours, since milk does not suit my husband's tummy very well, does not have milk, but it's good and no need to omit it. I actually prefer to add some for my son.
In a good blender, put some fruit, we like frozen strawberries and/or berries & peaches (buy a bunch on sale & freeze them!) and bananas. Add crushed ice, enough water to get it to blend, and 1-2 scoops of lemonade mix powder, or use OJ/fruit juice instead of water, and milk.
The key I've learned over the years is that you need to have a balance of both tart and mild (milk) ie, OJ or lemonade and milk. If it's just one or the other, it doesn't taste as good. I now make mine without milk, as when I add bananas, it's sweet and mild, but lately I've been making it with just fruit, ice, water and lemonade mix, and it tastes fine. Maybe it's our taste that has changed? shrug.
I love our popsicle trays. I pour whatever is left (nowadays I need to make a 2nd blenderful!) into the popsicle trays and allow my son & husband to have at it when they get home. (2 & 3 each is common! but it's all fruit, so I'm good with it as the most "unhealthy" thing is the lemonade mix. It works good with straight lemon juice & sugar too, but I go for the short cut when I don't have the fresh lemons on hand & ready to go.)
After I was diagnosed with cancer, I asked my oncologist for a nutritionist that knew how to advise for having surgery, having cancer, having chemo, and post chemo (to prevent getting it again).
If you both saw a nutritionist with those skills, you both might learn a lot about what things in the body (and our food) can make it ripe for cancer. Hearing it from a licensed nutritionist might make him want to change. She can help recommend things for him. He certainly has a lot of cancer in the family. That's really not a good sign. I can see why you're worried. Some cancers are definately genetically handed down by their dna so it might be inflammation, an acidic body, etc. Dairy products period aren't great for that.
My husband and I have been eating low fat plain yogurt with fresh berries drizzled with honey for dessert. Even our 11 year old likes it.
Herbalife shakes are tha bomb diggity...absolutely scrumptious recipes for shakes. I'm a distribitor so let me know if I can help! I'm not just making a pitch for a sale, I really REALLY luv these shakes & they're great for you & help you either lose weight or just maintain what you have. Homemade smoothies are great too using skim milk, nonfat yogurt & fresh or frozen fruits. Hope this helps.
l
I don't know about low sugar, but have you tried Dibs? They are tiny little pieces of ice cream. I can limit myself to having 3 at a time. You might see if he likes them.
They make ice cream with Splenda now (though it does not taste that great), also try sugar free pudding mixed with light whipped cream slightly forzen...I like this better than sugar free icecream.
Sherbert or frozen yogurt. Ben & Jerrys Frozen yogurt is DELISH! Yummy. But he has to be sure not to eat the entire container, lol
