Guess what I’m having right now, as part of my breakfast? Yup, that’s right… a Popsicle! And why not? It has about 4 grams of protein, less than 2 grams of sugar (and it’s all naturally occurring), and 42 milligrams of potassium. AND it’s teeming with beneficial, friendly bacteria, also known as probiotics, and is rich in vitamins, minerals, and enzymes. Hello! All in a delicious, cold, refreshing summer snack! (or part of breakfast, as is the case with me right now)
What exactly is kefir, you ask? It is simply fermented milk, much like yogurt. Comparing the two nutritionally speaking, kefir is superior. It contains an abundance of active yeast and good bacteria, which get deposited in our gut and go to work keeping our immune system strong, manufacturing B vitamins and vitamin K, helping to break down and absorb the nutrients from our food, and keeping the dangerous, toxic bacteria in check. Probiotics are the body’s natural defence system against foreign invaders. For a healthy digestive system and proper elimination, probiotics are essential. Also, kefir contains tryptophan, which is an amino acid that converts into serotonin, our feel good, “happy hormone,” which THEN converts into melatonin, which is essential for a good night’s sleep. Kefir is also a source of calcium and magnesium. Fun fact: in Turkish, kefir means to “feel good.” Hm.
These Popsicles also contain protein powder, coconut milk, strawberries (duh), and stevia. Aha! Remember that horrid white stuff we want to avoid? Well, this is one spectacular way. Stevia is a natural herb that simply tastes sweet; it has no effect on the blood sugar level. And, because it tastes up to 300 times sweeter than sugar (nope, I’m not even joking), we don’t need to use nearly as much.
So here it is, my friends, one of the healthiest Popsicle recipes you can make!
Strawberry Kefir Popsicles
1 cup unsweetened coconut milk (I used the So Delicious brand)
2 cups halved strawberries
1 cup unsweetened kefir (I used the Pinehedge brand)
2 scoops (about 60g) vanilla protein powder (be sure it has no sugar or artificial thingies added)
15 drops liquid stevia
Add coconut milk and strawberries to blender and mix just until combined (some strawberry pieces can be extra yummy). Meanwhile, pour kefir into mixing bowl. Add strawberry mixture to kefir and stir until combined. Add stevia and stir. Pour into Popsicle moulds and put in freezer. Freeze for at least 3 hours, but overnight is even better. Perfect for a hot summer day! Depending on how many Popsicle moulds you have and how much they hold, you will likely have some mixture left over. Simply store in the fridge and make more Popsicles as they get eaten up!
Reference
1. Gates, Donna with Linda Schatz. The Body Ecology Diet: Recovering Your Health and Rebuilding Your Immunity-10th ed. B.E.D. Publications, USA (2010): 79, 102-106.
Pretty! This has been an extremely wonderful article. Many thanks for providing this information.
Pretty! This has been an extremely wonderful article. Many thanks for providing this information.
Thanks Laura!
Thanks Laura!
I love kefir but would never freeze it. I’d be willing to bet all the live enzymes and probiotics would die. I could also be wrong. Have you found any research saying one or theother way?
Freezing does not kill most bacteria, it just preserves them. However, constant slow freezing and thawing may cause some damage. I am sure that a one time freeze and thaw will do no harm to the beneficial bacteria, and certainly not the enzymes (which can’t die – they can just be inactivated, which won’t happen with freezing).
Danielle… agreed! Thanks for replying. 🙂
Great question. I definitely believe in consuming fresh kefir to obtain all of the nutritional benefits in optimal amounts. However, I created this recipe to give others a fun idea of a different way to consume kefir, especially for kids or those new to it. Plus, the typical Popsicle is full of sugar and artificial food colouring, which is definitely not conducive to good health. I have not seen research stating that enzymes and probiotics are destroyed by freezing it. Over time, I feel that they would become less active, but especially when it comes to the probiotics, they should be just fine in the freezer. Here are two studies, one that shows no decrease, and one that shows a slight decrease . These studies used frozen yogurt and ice cream, respectively, but it’s the same idea of looking at the probiotic content. This link is a short description of which nutrients may be lost by freezing; it’s mainly talking about produce, but it’s interesting nonetheless. So, fresh kefir all the way, but frozen is okay once in a while for a healthy Popsicle alternative! 🙂
I love kefir but would never freeze it. I’d be willing to bet all the live enzymes and probiotics would die. I could also be wrong. Have you found any research saying one or theother way?
Freezing does not kill most bacteria, it just preserves them. However, constant slow freezing and thawing may cause some damage. I am sure that a one time freeze and thaw will do no harm to the beneficial bacteria, and certainly not the enzymes (which can’t die – they can just be inactivated, which won’t happen with freezing).
Danielle… agreed! Thanks for replying. 🙂
Great question. I definitely believe in consuming fresh kefir to obtain all of the nutritional benefits in optimal amounts. However, I created this recipe to give others a fun idea of a different way to consume kefir, especially for kids or those new to it. Plus, the typical Popsicle is full of sugar and artificial food colouring, which is definitely not conducive to good health. I have not seen research stating that enzymes and probiotics are destroyed by freezing it. Over time, I feel that they would become less active, but especially when it comes to the probiotics, they should be just fine in the freezer. Here are two studies, one that shows no decrease, and one that shows a slight decrease . These studies used frozen yogurt and ice cream, respectively, but it’s the same idea of looking at the probiotic content. This link is a short description of which nutrients may be lost by freezing; it’s mainly talking about produce, but it’s interesting nonetheless. So, fresh kefir all the way, but frozen is okay once in a while for a healthy Popsicle alternative! 🙂
Sorry Danielle… just realized I never replied to this! I hope you’ve tried the Popsicles and enjoyed them. I love kefir! It’s delicious, and the fact that it’s so good for you makes it all the better. 🙂
Sorry Danielle… just realized I never replied to this! I hope you’ve tried the Popsicles and enjoyed them. I love kefir! It’s delicious, and the fact that it’s so good for you makes it all the better. 🙂
These look great! I tried Kefir for the first time two weeks ago. I had been wanting to try it for a while and finally purchased some. I love plain yogurt, so naturally I loved the Kefir. I will have to give these a try sometime!
These look great! I tried Kefir for the first time two weeks ago. I had been wanting to try it for a while and finally purchased some. I love plain yogurt, so naturally I loved the Kefir. I will have to give these a try sometime!