Dessert is a great way to end a meal, but many desserts are loaded with sugar and processed ingredients. This can leave you feeling guilty about indulging and also increase cravings for more sweets later in the day. To get your fix without sabotaging your healthy lifestyle, try these recipes:
Baked Oatmeal
Baked oatmeal is an easy, quick breakfast that you can make ahead of time and reheat in the morning. It’s also a great dessert for sweet cravings, but you want something healthier than cake or cookies.
Energy Balls
Energy balls are a great source of protein and healthy fats. They’re also easy to make so that you can use any leftover nuts or seeds in your pantry. The best part is that they taste delicious!
Energy balls are also great snacks for kids who might not like traditional sweets but need something sweet after school or sports practice; be sure they don’t contain too much sugar before giving them some energy ball goodness!
Frozen Yogurt
Frozen yogurt is a sweet treat that won’t weigh you down. Making frozen yogurt at home requires only one extra step in the kitchen: You need to freeze the base before mixing in any toppings, but if you don’t have an ice cream maker or other special equipment, this can be done quickly.
Fruit Salad
Fruit salad is a great way to get your daily serving of fruit without sacrificing time or money. It’s also a great option for those who don’t have access to fresh fruits or prefer something sweet over something savory. You can use any combination of fruits that you prefer, but we suggest sticking with summer fruits during the warmer months.
We recommend using a variety of fruits, including strawberries, bananas, kiwi, pineapple and blueberries—or whatever other types of fruit sound good at the time.
No Bake Cookies
Who doesn’t love cookies? They’re simple and delicious, and you can make them in bulk, store them for later and have a treat whenever the mood strikes.
They are easy to make, but there are a few tricks to ensure they come out perfectly every time. Ensure your ingredients are at room temperature before mixing everything, so they bind better while baking (we’ve all been there when we accidentally got our butter too cold).
Make sure there is a good amount of moisture in your batter; if not, you won’t get those chewy edges or crispy bottoms that make us fall in love with these treats.
Chocolate Avocado Yogurt
The recipe for Chocolate Avocado Yogurt can be made with any yogurt, but I prefer the taste of homemade yogurt. If you’re making this recipe with store-bought Greek yogurt, ensure it has no added sugar.
You can also use chocolate here—dark or milk chocolate works well. Don’t use chocolate with over 85% cocoa content because it tends to be too bitter for this dish (and who wants bitter-sweet desserts?)
It is possible to enjoy dessert without derailing your healthy lifestyle. You have to be willing to try a few new things and twist some old favorites.
It’s unnecessary to give up desserts altogether to maintain your weight or health, but you can make a dessert that is good for you and still enjoy a sweet treat without the guilt.