Keeping your body healthy doesn’t mean you have to give up dessert altogether! Although there are certainly many sugary desserts that you’re better off skipping, there are also a ton of great options that are as healthy as they are delicious. Choosing nutritious desserts can be a great way to satisfy your cravings while maintaining your health. In fact, there are a few sweet treats that could even help keep your heart in great shape—including one tasty option that’s perfect for fall.
To discover one of the best desserts that could do wonders for your heart health and lower your risk of disease, we spoke to health expert Dr. Joan Salge Blake, EdD, RDN, LDN, FAND, nutrition professor at Boston University. She told us that baked apples with cinnamon and a dollop of Greek yogurt is a satisfying, healthful option. Read on to learn more about this guilt-free treat.
Baked apples with cinnamon and Greek yogurt
"Baked apples topped with cinnamon and a dollop of Greek vanilla yogurt is a dessert that will please both your palate and your heart," Dr. Blake assures us. All of the components in this simple recipe work together to add not only great flavor, but also health benefits.
For starters, apples are a fantastic, naturally sweet, fiber-rich fruit. "Apples are rich in viscous soluble fibers that have been shown to help lower elevated blood cholesterol levels," Dr. Blake says. Keeping your cholesterol low is one important part of lowering your risk of heart disease, and adding the right foods to your diet is a great way to do this.
As Blake explains, viscous soluble fiber like the kind found in apples can prevent your intestines from reabsorbing high-cholesterol bile acids that are released by your gallbladder to help with the digestion of fat. "Your body replaces these lost bile acids by removing cholesterol from the blood to generate new bile acids in the liver. Your blood cholesterol levels are lowered as a result."
By adding cinnamon to these fibrous fruits, you can take both the flavor and the health benefits a step further. "Cinnamon adds natural sweetness, so you don’t have to add any added sugars to the apples before baking. A diet high in added sugars also increases your risk of heart disease." Additionally, cinnamon has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, which is another major plus for your overall health, including that of your heart.
Craving something creamy to go with your baked apples? Skip the ice cream and go straight for Greek yogurt instead. This is a high-protein, probiotic-rich treat that's packed with health benefits. In addition to keeping you satisfied and restoring balance to your gut, it may also help lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
The bottom line
It's important to remember that lowering your risk of disease and leading the healthiest life possible is about more than just eating one healthy dessert; it will require a dedication to many healthy habits over time. However, your diet is one of the most important aspects to consider. By skipping sugary sweets and opting for healthy alternatives like this on a regular basis, you'll be taking one major step in the right direction.
