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Thinking about dieting again but aren’t ready to say goodbye to your favorite sweets and treats? Nutritionists say you don’t have to! Larrian Gillespie, MD, author of The Menopause Diet, The Gladiator Diet, and The Goddess Diet, says that you shouldn’t deprive yourself of dessert when you’re dieting and believes that everything can be enjoyed in moderation–even candy and chocolate! Dr. Gillespie also notes that you need to make smart choices to enjoy dessert and recommends opting for healthier versions of your favorite treats.
“Some choices are better than others. You have to know the consequences before you make the choice,” she tells WebMD. “Last night, I microwaved some chocolate sauce and dipped strawberries; I picked a healthy fruit.”
If you’re stuck on what to have for dessert without totally disrupting your weight loss progress, Molly Kimball, RD, a sports nutritionist at Ochsner Clinic’s Elmwood Center in New Orleans, suggests choosing low-calorie desserts and tells her patients to look out for options that aren’t 100% sugar. “I tell them anything under a hundred calories won’t make or break you,” she says.
Keep scrolling to find healthy desserts that are nutritionist-approved and will help you stay on track with your weight loss and fitness goals:
Healthy Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Ingredients:
4 oz dark semi-sweet chocolate
12 strawberries
Cherries with Ricotta & Toasted Almonds
Ingredients:
¾ cup frozen pitted cherries
2 tablespoons part-skim ricotta
1 tablespoon toasted slivered almonds
Ingredients:
½ cup low-fat vanilla yogurt
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 medium apples, sliced or spiralized with the thick ribbon blade (about 5 cups)
2 tablespoons honey, divided
2 tablespoons finely chopped bittersweet chocolate or bittersweet chocolate chips, melted
¼ cup granola, divided
½ cup blueberries, divided
Ingredients:
1 cup seedless green grapes
1 cup seedless red grapes
1/4 cup white sugar
