For those with a sweet tooth, the pursuit of weight loss can feel like a constant battle against cravings. However, enjoying dessert doesn't have to derail your healthy eating plan.These recipes incorporate wholesome ingredients such as oats, fruit, nuts, yogurt, and unrefined sugars. Remember that the term “healthy” is relative, and while these recipes use healthier alternatives to traditional baking ingredients, many still include some sugar (refined or unrefined).
Embracing Balance and Moderation
The key to incorporating desserts into a weight loss plan lies in balance and moderation. Completely cutting out desserts can often lead to rebellion against the restriction. A more sustainable approach involves enjoying something small daily or having dessert once or twice over the weekend. Finding a middle ground is crucial, allowing you to satisfy your cravings without derailing your progress.
Portion Control and Mindful Eating
Choosing individually wrapped treats can create a natural boundary. If you still crave more after finishing a portion, check in with yourself. Ask yourself if you ate enough protein at dinner or if you are actually hungry.
Quality Over Quantity
Opt for higher-quality desserts over processed, packaged options. Many packaged desserts are designed to make you crave more, while a higher-quality dessert is often more satisfying in a smaller portion.
Emotional Awareness
Be mindful of your emotional state before reaching for dessert. If you're feeling stressed, upset, or overwhelmed, dessert might turn into emotional eating.
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Creating a Treat-Matching Setting
Don't eat a dessert while multitasking or in a rush. Take the time to savor and enjoy your treat in a relaxing setting.
Recipe Inspiration for Healthy Desserts
Here are some healthy dessert recipes to satisfy your sweet tooth while supporting your weight loss goals:
Fruit-Based Delights
- Baked Apples: Core apples, sprinkle with cinnamon, and bake until tender for a simple and comforting dessert.
- Berry Medley: Combine fresh berries like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries for a naturally sweet and antioxidant-rich treat.
- Banana "Ice Cream": Freeze sliced bananas and blend them until smooth, adding a splash of almond milk or Greek yogurt for creaminess.
- Strawberry Sauce: In just 10 minutes, you can enjoy homemade strawberry sauce on top of Greek yogurt or oatmeal.
- Watermelon Skewers: Here's a fun twist on watermelon. It's so refreshing on a summer day, and you don't have to worry about seeds while you're enjoying it.
Yogurt-Based Creations
- Chia Seed Pudding: Mix chia seeds with almond milk or Greek yogurt, add a touch of honey or maple syrup, and let it sit in the fridge until it forms a pudding-like consistency.
- Greek Yogurt Parfait: Layer Greek yogurt with fresh fruit and a sprinkle of granola for a protein-packed and satisfying dessert.
- Blueberry Yogurt Swirl Popsicles: These super simple, protein-packed 3-ingredient blueberry yogurt swirl popsicles are naturally gluten free and hit the spot when the weather heats up.
Baked Goods with a Healthy Twist
- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars: These bars are soft and chewy with satisfying pumpkin flavor.
- Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies: These cookies are simple and satisfying, requiring just 5 simple ingredients.
- Chocolate Chip Baked Oatmeal Cups: You need just 1 bowl and some simple, wholesome ingredients to make these healthy-ish chocolate chip baked oatmeal cups.
- Oatmeal Granola Bars: These super soft and chewy oatmeal granola bars taste just like oatmeal raisin cookies, but are made with unrefined sugars and whole wheat flour.
- Whole Wheat Chocolate Muffins: Enjoy all of the rich chocolate flavor and moist texture of chocolate cake, but in a slightly healthier whole wheat muffin.
- Apple Crisp: Here’s an easy apple crisp! This is a delicious dessert perfect for young cooks to prepare. It’s super simple to make since there’s no crust-just a crumbly topping. Plus, with apples and oats, it’s a wholesome treat.
No-Bake Wonders
- Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Almonds: Making a batch of dark chocolate sea salt almonds could not be easier.
- No-Bake Frozen Yogurt Berry Granola Bars: These bars are the perfect healthy summer treat, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free.
- Date Candy: My daughter and I came across a date candy recipe when she was learning about ancient Egypt. We changed some of the spices and nuts to suit our tastes.
Frozen Treats
- Pineapple Sorbet with Mint: A refreshing summer sorbet full of fruity goodness, made from just 2 ingredients and ready in 5 minutes. Stacked with vitamins A, C, B6 and no cholesterol!
- Fresh Strawberry Popsicles: Fresh strawberry popsicles are the perfect way to use up your fresh summer berries.
- Banana Chocolate Popsicles: These banana chocolate popsicles are an easy, refreshing, and delicious summer dessert.
- Kiwi Sorbet: Kiwi Sorbet is light, refreshing, and makes a great summer snack. This recipe is made with only two ingredients - kiwi and lime!
Unique and Creative Options
- Avocado Mousse: If I have a sweet tooth, my favorite is avocado mousse.
- Pumpkin Spice Hummus: This pumpkin spice hummus is a delicious dessert dip that tastes like pumpkin pie. It would make a great Thanksgiving dessert served with apple slices or cookies for dipping.
- Carrot Cake Truffles: Carrot Cake Truffles combine carrots, raisins, and warm spices into healthy energy balls.
Additional Tips for Healthy Dessert Consumption
- Focus on Whole Foods: Limit packaged, processed foods that contain added sugars like soft drinks, fruit juices, cookies, cake, candy, granola bars, and cereals.
- Experiment with Flavors: Explore different fruits and spices to excite your taste buds and create a positive association between healthy food and delicious flavors.
- Listen to Your Body: Use your own body as guidance - what can you make that feels satisfying and also nutritious?
- Embrace Imperfection: You don’t have to be obsessed with food or have a million rules around eating to find your natural weight and learn to love your body.
Recipes in Detail
Lightened-Up Greek Yogurt Lemon Bars
These bars offer a refreshing and creamy treat, using Greek yogurt to replace some of the cream cheese.
Ingredients:
- Crust:
- Graham cracker crumbs
- Sugar
- Melted butter
- Filling:
- Cream cheese
- Greek yogurt
- Eggs
- Egg yolk
- Sugar
- Pineapple juice
- Vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 300°F (149°C).
- Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper.
- Make the crust: Whisk graham cracker crumbs and sugar together. Add melted butter and stir until combined. Press evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 8 minutes.
- Make the filling: Beat cream cheese until smooth. Beat in yogurt until combined. Then beat in the eggs and egg yolk until combined. Finally, beat in the sugar, pineapple juice, and vanilla extract until everything is combined and no lumps remain.
- Bake for 34-36 minutes or until the middle is no longer wobbly.
- Chill in the refrigerator until set.
- Lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment overhang and cut into bars.
Make Ahead & Freezing Instructions: Prepare the bars 1-3 days in advance and store covered tightly in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Bars can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Room Temperature Ingredients: Room temperature dairy and eggs mix easily and more evenly into one another.
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