There’s nothing more insatiable than a sweet tooth, especially for those attempting to diet. It’s a well-known irony that depriving yourself of whatever you’re craving only leads to wanting it more, especially when it comes to sweets. Rather than ditching dessert cold turkey, opt for these healthier options that will satisfy your craving for something sweet.
Sure, at first glance, this one sounds disgusting. But when you make it for the first time, you’ll realize just how addicting (and amazing) it is, especially if you’re a chocolate addict.
For this recipe, you’ll need:
- 1/2 cup black beans (cooked or from a can)
- 4 Tbs maple syrup
- 4 Tbs unsweetened baking cocoa
- Pinch of salt
- Dash of vanilla extract
Combine all the ingredients, blend them until the hummus reaches the smooth consistency that you want (you can add water if needed to get there), and voila! A dessert that’s as healthy as it is delicious.
The typical popsicle is home to sugar galore and more preservatives than we can list by name. But fruit puree popsicles made in the comfort of your own home are healthy, delicious, and free of mystery ingredients.
For this recipe, you’ll need:
- 1 cup yogurt
- 3 cups fruit (of your choice)
- 4 Tbs honey
- Dash of vanilla extract
- Dash of lemon juice
Again, this recipe is as easy as blending all the ingredients until they’re smooth and pouring equal portions into popsicle molds, freezing overnight for enjoyment the next day.
Baked apples are a great treat for a variety of reasons, one being that apples themselves are a superfood. Apples are common dessert items, so they pack plenty of health benefits while satisfying your sweet tooth.
To make this delicious treat, you’ll need:
- Four Apples (Honey crisp are our recommendation for baked apples)
- 1 cup rolled oats
- Pinch of cinnamon
- Pinch of nutmeg
- Pinch of ginger
- 2 Tbs melted coconut oil
- 2 Tbs maple syrup
- 1/2 cup nuts, if desired (pecans work best for this recipe)
Core the apples and arrange them in a baking dish. Add all other ingredients to a large bowl and mix. You’ll then evenly distribute the mixture into the apples, pouring water into the baking dish so you can baste the treat every 5 minutes as it bakes. Cover the dish with foil and bake at 400ºF for 25-30 minutes, until the apples are tender.
Adding protein to your diet doesn’t mean you need to increase the amount of meat you eat. At least, it doesn’t with this protein ball recipe. Better yet, this recipe is no-bake!
You’ll need:
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup flax seeds
- 2 Tbs honey
- 2/3 cup peanut butter
Add all ingredients to a large bowl and combine, then cover the mixture and refrigerate for about 2 hours. Roll the chilled mixture into one-inch balls and, if you can believe it, you’re done! You can store these for up to a week in your refrigerator to grab when a sweets craving hits.
Dieting is hard enough on its own, so giving up your favorite treats just adds insult to injury. With these healthy snacks, you’ll not only stay true to your dieting desires, but you’ll also walk away fully satisfied thanks to the sweetness they incorporate into your life in 2021!