Healthy weight loss happens thanks to a balanced diet, regular exercise, frequent hydration and following a consistent routine. With that said, if you’re looking for low-sugar, low-calorie and ultimately healthier dessert ideas, we’ve got you covered!
We checked in with nutritionists and other health experts for three sweet treats you can swap out in place of junk food or more fattening options. Read on for tips, suggestions and insight from Lisa Richards, registered nutritionist and creator of The Candida Diet, Jay Cowin, NNCP, RNT, RNC, CHN, CSNA, registered nutritionist and Director of Formulations at ASYSTEM, and registered dietitian Elysia Cartlidge, MAN, RD, and founder of Haute & Healthy Living.
READ MORE: 2 Quick And Easy No-Bake Dessert Recipes Experts Swear By For Weight Loss
3 Healthy, Weight-Loss Friendly Dessert Swaps
1. Replace Processed Cookies With No-Bake Energy Balls
Rather than buying packaged chocolate chip cookies, Cartlidge suggests whipping up no-bake energy balls that have ample protein. "Toss together some nut butter, nuts or seeds, oats, dark chocolate and protein powder, and you’ve got a high protein option that tastes just like a treat," she says. As a bonus, she notes, you can "make up a batch at the beginning of the week for a quick and easy portable snack and freeze for later." They’re also a good source of "healthy fats and fiber," which can assist with appetite control, she points out.
2. Have Greek Yogurt With Fruit Instead Of Ice Cream
To avoid excessive sugar or fat that ice cream usually contains, Cowin recommends having cold Greek yogurt with your favorite fruit as a topping. "Greek yogurt topped with fruits is a great snack or dessert to eat after dinner," he says. "Not only is it packed with nutrients, but it's a good source of protein, which can help you feel full for a while so you can avoid overeating or midnight snacking," he notes. Plus, Cowin adds, Greek yogurt is "also lower in sugar and calories than other types of yogurt, so this is perfect for those who want to satisfy their sweet tooth but are working to lose weight."
3. Instead of Cake, Try This Avocado Lime Tart
Traditional cake doesn't have a reputation for being weight loss-friendly, from sugary frosting to its noteworthy lack of nutrients. If you're craving something to satisfy your sweet tooth, Richards suggests this avocado lime tart recipe instead, which she says is a "delicious plant-based dessert that is a crowd pleaser without the added sugar and calories."
Avocados are fiber-rich, a necessary nutrient for weight loss, and Richards' idea for adding coconut milk as opposed to regular can be better for your gut health as well. "This dessert is packed with nutrient-rich ingredients from avocados to coconut milk," she explains.
Ingredients:
1 almond coconut tart crust
½ cup coconut milk
2 tsp.. alcohol free vanilla
1 ½ tsp. stevia powder
⅛ tsp. salt
3 avocados, peeled, seeded, mashed
1 large lime, zest and juice
¼ cup coconut oil, melted
toasted coconut flakes for garnish
Instructions:
1. In a small bowl, add coconut milk, alcohol free vanilla, stevia powder and salt. Whisk until stevia and salt have dissolved. Set aside.
2. In the bowl of a food processor, add mashed avocados, lime zest and juice and process until smooth. Add coconut milk mixture and process until smooth. With the food processor running, pour melted coconut oil into the bowl. Process until tart filling is thoroughly combined.
3. Pour tart filling into the prepared tart crust. Spread evenly and chill for 1 to 2 hours. Serve with a garnish of toasted coconut flakes. (Store remaining tart covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days)
