Wouldn’t life be so much easier if you could satisfy your little one’s sweet tooth while giving them a treat that’s good for them at the same time? We know it can be hard to balance your healthy lifestyle with their constant snack cravings so we ventured out to find places around New Jersey where you can get the best of both worlds. Whether you’re looking for superfood spoonable cookie dough, mashed-up bananas that look (and taste!) just like ice cream, or the prettiest acai bowl your eyes have ever seen, check out nine drool worthy treats that are surprisingly healthy, too.
Say hello to these unique, health-inspired treats around NJ ?
Don’t forget to tag @njmomhq and hashtag #NJMOM on social media when you visit these spots, so your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up!
Sweet potato brownies (via) and superfood spoonable cookie dough (via) from Zest.
1. Zest
This unique little cafe boasts a completely gluten and dairy free menu with most items being vegan as well. Zest offers acai bowls, cookies, muffins and even brownies that are completely healthy and good for you. You definitely have to try the superfood spoonable cookie dough because #healthycookiedough. Oh, and did we mention they make brownies made from 100% sweet potatoes?
16 Little Falls Road, Fairfield, NJ 07004
2. Amanda Bananas ?
Instead of reaching for an ice cream sundae when you desperately need a treat, Amanda Bananas lets you indulge in the healthiest way possible: with what looks and tastes exactly like ice cream. It’s just blended banana with whatever toppings you want, like fresh fruit, granola and sprinkles. It’s conveniently located in a food truck at Pier 13, so you can enjoy a unique, guilt-free dessert with a view of the New York City skyline.
1301 Sinatra Dr N, Hoboken, NJ 07030
3. Playa Bowls
Known for its brightly colored acai bowls, Playa Bowls quickly went viral by aesthetically combining smoothies and fruits. The bowls, which can be based with acai, pitaya, coconut, green (kale) or chia pudding, come loaded with granola, fruit and a ton of other toppings. They’re generously sized and healthy enough to be your meal, too. At Playa Bowls, a unique, healthy dinner and dessert in one bowl doesn’t have to be ‘too good to be true.’
Locations in Asbury Park, Belmar, Manasquan, Long Branch, Ocean Grove, Red Bank, Bay Head, Brick, Jackson, Toms River, Seaside Park, Forked River, New Brunswick, Morristown, Montclair, and Millburn.
Whipalope banana whip. via
4. Bashful Banana Bakery & Cafe ?
If you haven’t noticed yet, bananas are the perfect healthy alternative to ice cream. This boardwalk spot is known for its banana whip, which, once again, is made of just bananas. Try the upside down cereal bowl, which is a bowl of banana whip topped with Cheerios, strawberries and blueberries. Want something even more unique? The Whipalope is all that, but inside a cantaloupe.
946 Boardwalk, Ocean City, NJ 08226
Urban Pops. via
5. Urban Pops
Originally based out of Brooklyn, NY, this kosher ice pop shop has a ton of unique flavors, like Butterfinger and mango raspberry swirl. Some selections are even sugar and dairy free, making them the perfect healthy treat for you and your little ones after a long day of running around.
314 Main St, Allenhurst, NJ 07711
Crunch Berry Decadent Shake from The WooHoo. via
6. The WooHoo
The WooHoo is a family-owned restaurant and ice cream shop that prides itself on being both kid-friendly and allergy-friendly. Its dessert menu specializes in two unique things: exotic homemade ice cream flavors, and a vegan and dairy-free soft serve. Both the extensive menu and mom-approved play area make it the perfect spot to bring your kids for healthy treats and a good time.
211 S Bay Ave, Beach Haven, NJ 08008
7. Gypsy Pops
These frozen treats from Gypsy Pops are so much fun because they’re all-natural and made with local ingredients. You can get a regular ice pop in one of the many flavors, or you can kick it up a notch with an ice pop lemonade or a watermelon bowl (pictured above). Be sure to try one of these healthy yet unique treats at festivals and events throughout New Jersey, including Pier 13 in Hoboken.
At events in Bayonne, Hoboken, Mt. Olive, Riverdale, Parsippany, and Woodbridge.
8. Red Mango
With all-natural, gluten-free, low-fat and fat-free options, Red Mango has it all. It offers a bunch of rotating flavors, including its new dairy-free fro-yo alternative cleverly named Fro-No. This self-serve dessert shop gives you the opportunity to make your dessert as unique (and healthy) as you want it to be.
Locations in Cherry Hill, Clark, Edgewater, Freehold, Jersey City, Mahwah, Millburn, Newark, Palisades Park, Riverdale, Rochelle Park, Watchung, West Caldwell, and Windsor. Coming soon to Fairfield, Little Falls, and Upper Saddle River.
Frozen Falls frozen yogurt. via
9. Frozen Falls
If you prefer mom and pop shops over chain stores, then this local favorite should be your next stop for frozen yogurt. Frozen Falls offers 16 unique flavors at a time, including organic and no sugar added choices. It’s a healthy treat, plus you can get your flavors and toppings exactly how you like them. To make it even better, customers rave about how clean and sanitary this place is.
1190 State Rt 28, Branchburg, NJ 08876
413 King George Rd, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
Don’t forget to tag @njmomhq and hashtag #NJMOM on social media to let us know which are your favorites. Your cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up!
