7 guilt-free summer treats that aren't that bad for you
By Gurleen Boparai
It almost feels like an oxymoron to think of a treat as “healthy,” but you may just be surprised by how amazing these healthy foods taste. By using fresh whole food, these restaurants serve up delicious treats that leave your tastebuds feeling satisfied. You may just find yourself craving these healthy treats in the future.
Here are seven treats that aren’t bad for you to check out this summer in Metro Vancouver.
1. Timothy’s Frozen Yogurt
On the main pier at Steveston Village, you will often find a long line extending beyond Timothy’s doors for one of their frozen yogurts. For nearly 3 decades, this small family-owned shop has been serving delicious swirls of frozen yogurt and fruit. Each frozen yogurt is made to order using the frozen fruit of your choice, which is then swirled with a brick of plain yogurt into a freshly made waffle cone. It’s the perfect hot summer day treat when you are on the pier and wanting a healthier alternative to ice cream.
Address: 3800 Bayview Street # 104, Richmond
Instagram: @timothysfrozenyogurt
2. Banana Nice Cream at MELU Juice and Health Bar
Over the summer months, Melu brings back their delicious, but also healthy Banana “nicecream” which is made entirely from frozen fruit and no added sugars. Choose from a selection of sauces and toppings such as fresh strawberry chia jam and housemade granola. Every nicecream also comes with one of Melu’s famous health bar bites, a choice between the “kind of a fig deal” or “coconut caramel craze.”
Address: 1110 West Pender Street, Vancouver
Instagram: @melujuice
3. Popsicles from Johnny’s Pops
Keep an eye out for Johnny’s Pops adorable red bicycle cart at summer festivals and markets to get one his refreshing handmade popsicles. All of his artisanal flavours like the Creamy Strawberry Lemonade or the Coconut Raspberry are made with mostly locally sourced fresh fruit and ingredients. Johnny’s Pops also has vegan creations such as the Avocado Lime, so there is an icy treat for everyone in your squad to enjoy.
Instagram: @johnnyspops
4. Brussels-style waffles from Nero Waffle bar
Nero Waffle Bar is a favourite for Vancouverites looking for a late night treat. With two locations downtown, Nero serves up both Liege and Brussels-style waffles with a variety of sweet and savoury toppings. Their rectangular Brussels-style waffle has a much lower sugar content than the Liege, and all of their fruit is sliced to order. Plus, their delicious sauces and whipped cream are made in house, too. Try the Fruity on the fluffy Brussels waffle; piled high with berries, sliced banana, oranges, and other fresh fruit, and can be ordered without the whipped cream.
Address: 1703 Robson Street, Vancouver
Address: 1002 Seymour Street, Vancouver
Instagram: @nerowafflebar
See also
- 10 best places for smoothie bowls in Vancouver
- 7 must-try spots for ice cream sundaes in Vancouver
- 9 places to get healthy fast food in Vancouver
- 25 must-try vegan dishes in Vancouver
5. Waffles with fresh berries at Krause Berry Farms
If you find yourself near Krause Berry Farms on a weekend, visit their outdoor patio for a scrumptious fluffy waffle piled high with delicious fresh berries picked from the farm itself. Depending on the harvest time, there will either be thinly sliced strawberries, juicy raspberries or sweet blueberries. The berries will be some of the most flavourful fruit you will taste in your lifetime, as they are served literally within a few days or hours of being picked from the farm, so you are able to skip the syrup and whipped cream.
Address: 6179 248 Street, Langley
Instagram:@krauseberryfarms
6. Bingsoo (shaved ice) from Snowy Village
Unlike traditional Korean shaved ice, Snowy Village makes all of their Bingsoo with 100% Canadian milk, which is a great source of protein. There are several different toppings to choose from, but the most popular by far is the fresh mango and strawberry bingsoo. The fruit bingsoos are finished with condensed milk and whipped cream which adds sweetness to the shaved milk ice. Visit one of their three locations for this refreshing treat that is unexpectedly healthy.
Address: 3 locations in Metro Vancouver; check website for details
Instagram: @snowyvillagecanada
7. Muesli or yogurt-granola parfaits at The Birds & the Beets
This beautiful coffee shop on the edge of Gastown is a favourite amongst locals, not just for the coffee, but also for their delicious breakfast. Their creamy rolled oats and chia bircher muesli is soaked overnight in coconut mylk and served with house made apricot preserves. The texture is almost reminiscent of a rich silky pudding. Another breakfast favourite is their parfait made with yogurt and granola, both of which are house made and finished with fresh seasonal fruit. The best part: both are available throughout the day for a midday treat.
Address: 55 Powell Street, Vancouver
Instagram: @birdsandbeets
Gurleen Boparai is creator and content creator for the Vancouver-based lifestyle blog, Pink Tea Latte. As a pastry obsessed recent graduate from UBC, Gurleen is determined to try every bakery within a 50 kilometre radius of Vancouver. You can always count on Gurleen to have a smile on her face and matcha latte in hand. You can follow along with all of her adventures over on Pink Tea Latte. Twitter // Instagram
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