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The heat is unbelievable this summer, don't you agree? And since most people still can't go on a summer getaway just yet, many have to think of other ways to beat the heat.

One obvious option is to drink summer coolers at home. We can either order some for delivery or make them from scratch.

One of the most popular--if not the most popular--summer dessert in the Philippines is the halo-halo.

It has become a big part of our culture and its recipe has been passed on from generation to generation.

That's why almost all Filipinos, even the ones living abroad, crave for the sweet concoction of tapioca pearls, mung beans, gelatin, bananas, beans, and nata de coco in crushed ice with evaporated milk.

The halo-halo is also often topped with leche flan and has bits of jackfruit or langka.

But did you know that there's a healthier alternative to jackfruit in halo-halo?

In a recent episode of Pinoy MD, Letty Lopez of Balagtas, Bulacan introduced a healthy twist to the classic halo-halo by using kalabasa or squash instead of jackfruit.

If you want to make this healthy version of halo-halo, below is the recipe.

Halo-halo with kalabasa

Ingredients:
Tapioca pearls/sago
Red mung beans/monggo
Kaong
Gelatin/gulaman
Banana/saging
Beans
Nata de coco
Squash/kalabasa

Procedure:
1. Slice and boil the squash.
2. Mash and sweeten with sugar.
3. Put all the ingredients in a glass, including the sweetened squash.
4. Add crushed ice.
5. Pour evaporated milk onto the crushed ice.

According to nutritionist-dietitian Jake Brandon Andal, squash is a great alternative to jackfruit since it is a good source of beta carotene.

Beta carotene is an antioxidant that turns into vitamin A in our bodies and helps prevent heart diseases, cancer and diabetes.

Another easy-to-prepare summer coolers recipe that Pinoy MD host Connie Sison shared is the mango sago drink.

You won't have trouble finding the key ingredients since sago or tapioca pearls are always available and mangoes are in season during summer.

Below is the recipe for it.

Mango sago drink

Ingredients:
1 can condensed milk
1 large can of evaporated milk
Sugar
Tapioca pearls/sago
Gelatin/gulaman
Ripe mangoes (crushed and cubed)

Procedure:
1. Combine the evaporated milk and condensed milk in a mixing bowl.
2. Add water and sugar.
3. Add the gelatin and tapioca pearls.
4. Puree ripe mangoes with a mixer.
5. Add mango puree to the mixture and mix well.
6. Serve with cubed mangoes as toppings.

Watch and learn how to make these awesome summer coolers in the Pinoy MD video below.

For more features like this, watch Pinoy MD every Saturday, 6:00 AM on GMA-7.

And for more lifestyle content, head out to GMA's Lifestyle page.

You might want to have some delicious and unique pancit canton recipe before having halo-halo, so check out some of them here.