Hey Lykkers, when the sun's blazing and the heat won't quit, who doesn't crave something cold and refreshing? The problem is, many store-bought icy treats are packed with sugar and hidden calories.
But no worries—this weekend, why don't we make our own fruity yogurt ice smoothies? They're easy, healthier, and totally customizable.
Is yogurt ice cream really healthy?
Yogurt ice cream does sound like a better option—it's lower in fat and comes with probiotics. But watch out! Store-bought ones are often more sour than traditional ice cream, so they usually add more sugar to balance the flavor. That means they're not always as light and healthy as we think.
Good news about probiotics
According to nutritionist Wan-Ping Li from Rongxin Clinic, freezing does reduce the activity of probiotics in yogurt. However, once they're back in your body and thaw out, they can still come back to life and do their job. So even though it's not as effective as eating fresh yogurt, you're still getting some health benefits—and some strains of probiotics are very tolerant of cold!
Why we should DIY
Making our own yogurt smoothies at home means we can choose natural ingredients, use as much or as little sugar as we want, and add extras like nuts or seeds for crunch and nutrition. It's safe, fun, and perfect for a healthy summer treat.
Kiwi Yogurt Smoothie
Ingredients
• 200g green kiwi
• 60g banana
• 60g apple
• 200g plain yogurt
• 1 cup of ice
Steps
1. Peel the fruits and cut them into small pieces.
2. Put all the fruits and yogurt into a blender and blend briefly.
3. Add the ice and blend again until smooth.
Tip: If kiwi makes your tongue tingle, you can add a little condensed milk to balance it out.
Papaya Pineapple Yogurt Smoothie
Ingredients
• 250g papaya
• 100g pineapple
• 120g plain yogurt
• 1 tbsp sunflower or pumpkin seeds
• 1/2 tbsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup of ice
Steps
1. Peel and seed the papaya and pineapple, then cut them into small cubes.
2. Add the fruit, yogurt, seeds, sugar, and salt to a blender and blend until smooth.
3. Toss in the ice and blend again until evenly mixed.
Mango Lassi (Indian-style Yogurt Smoothie)
Ingredients
• 150g mango
• 1 tbsp crushed pistachios
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 250g plain yogurt
• 1/2 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
Steps
1. Crush the pistachios and peel and dice the mango.
2. Blend yogurt, mango, turmeric, sugar, and salt until smooth.
3. Pour into a cup and sprinkle pistachios on top to serve.
Frozen Watermelon Yogurt Blend
Ingredients
• 450g watermelon
• 130g peach
• 250g plain yogurt
• Sugar to taste
• 1 tsp salt
Steps
1. Cut the watermelon and peach into chunks (remove seeds and skin), and freeze until solid.
2. Blend the frozen fruits, yogurt, sugar, and salt until smooth.
3. Enjoy it right away while it's still icy, or pop it in the freezer for one more hour for a firmer texture.
Tip: Because watermelon has a high water content, freezing it longer can help achieve a more ice cream-like texture.
Blueberry Yogurt Ice Cream
Ingredients
• 150g blueberries
• 80g apple
• 1 tbsp pumpkin seeds
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp honey
• 100g plain yogurt
Steps
1. Wash the blueberries and peel/cut the apple into chunks. Freeze both.
2. Add the frozen fruits, pumpkin seeds, lemon juice, honey, and yogurt to a blender and blend until creamy.
3. Serve immediately or freeze for one hour to enjoy a firmer, scoopable texture.
Let's stay cool and healthy together!
So Lykkers, which one of these icy yogurt blends are you going to try first? Whether you're a mango lover or a blueberry fan, there's something for everyone.
And the best part is, we're in control of what goes in—no weird additives, just fresh fruit and creamy yogurt. Next time the heat hits, let's treat ourselves the smart way. Let's blend it up!
