NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — We never need much of an excuse to eat a sno-ball. And when the ‘feels like’ temperature is in the triple digits, it just feels like it’s the right thing to do.
Spoiler alert: Most sno-balls are – like king cake and other New Orleans traditions – the type of thing that’s best as an occasional indulgence. They’re typically loaded with sugar (some 60-plus grams of added sugar), and many have artificial food dyes and flavors.
Sugar-free sno-balls are available at many, if not most, sno-ball stands. These are a decent alternative, but most are artificially sweetened with aspartame (Equal) or sucralose (Splenda), and often still have artificial colors.
Here’s the rundown on three sno-ball stands serving up better-for-you icy treats that you’ve gotta try. All are women-owned, offering handmade, small batch, artisan sno-balls.
Nectar + Ice | 3304 Green Acres Rd Unit B, Metairie, LA 70003
With options specifically designed for vegans, halal diners, and those with food allergies, Nectar + Ice offers a monkfruit-sweetened sno-ball with less than a teaspoon-ish of added sugar (from agave) per serving. And the ‘icing’ on these beautiful, good-for-you treats: every sno-ball is topped with a beautiful little edible flower.
Imperial Woodpecker | 3511 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115
All-natural, house-made flavors like Strawberry-Basil, Pineapple-Cilantro, Watermelon-Jalapeno, sweetened with natural cane sugar and natural fruit juices. Sugar-free flavors like grape and wedding cake are also available.
Chance in Hell | 4205 Burgundy St, New Orleans, LA 70117
All handmade, small-batch and seasonal. Made with real fruit, sweetened with cane sugar (not high fructose corn syrup), with no artificial colors or flavors.
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FUELED Wellness + Nutrition is powered by Healthy Portions Meal Co. Learn more about the variety of Eat Fit options at Healthy Portions Meal Co, proud sponsor of FUELED Wellness + Nutrition with Molly on WGNO.
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Molly Kimball, RD, CSSD is a registered dietitian + nutrition journalist in New Orleans, and founder of Ochsner Eat Fit nonprofit restaurant initiative. Tune in to her podcast, FUELED | Wellness + Nutrition and follow her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @MollyKimballRD. See more of Molly’s articles + TV segments at www.mollykimball.com, and sign up for Eat Fit Wellness Bites weekly newsletter, here.
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