Healthy RecipesHealthy Weight Loss

16 Sweet Treats That Won’t Destroy Your Weight Loss Goals

There are many diet myths that you have heard, but probably the most common is this: you need to say goodbye to all your favorite sweet treats. If you have a sweet tooth, this could be the worst news you can hear that just might turn you off. Even if you are doing all the right things – lowering carbs and eating healthy – avoiding deserts altogether may not be the best idea.

According to some researchers, eating a sweet treat with breakfast can help you lose weight. Participants of the study who ate something sweet with breakfast lost more weight and were able to keep it off more than those who did not. Of course, this doesn’t mean you can indulge in all the sweets in the world, but neither does it mean that you should avoid sweets altogether.

Too Much Self Denial Leads to Binging

Here’s the thing – sometimes your efforts to develop ‘self-control’ and deny your body from all the goodies it likes can backfire. If you are a binge eater, going cold turkey on all the sweet treats you love is not the right way to go about weight loss.

Think about it: how many times have you found yourself giving in to a craving and then eating more than you intended? You just wanted a taste of your favorite chocolate cake, but before you know it, you had eaten three slices. All those days of self-denial backfired and caused more harm than good.

Researchers from the University of Toronto examined the effect of food deprivation on food cravings. During the study, 103 female undergraduates were either deprived of chocolate or vanilla or not deprived.

The results of the study showed that the restrained eaters were likely to experience more food cravings than those unrestrained.

Science is precise; the more you are deprived of something you enjoy, the more you want it. On the other hand, if you have the option to enjoy something you like, such as desert, but in a lower amount, you are more likely to stick to your diet.

So what is a better approach? Here are 17 easy-to-make, delicious treats that won’t sabotage your weight loss plan.

16 Sweets to Make While Dieting

1. Banana Peanut Butter Ice Cream

Who doesn’t love a scoop of ice-cream on a hot summer day? This easy to make banana ice cream is one sweet treat that even the kids will love. And the best part is you can use brown bananas.

What you need:

  • Two tablespoons of peanut butter
  • Four large ripe bananas

Slice the bananas into disks about 1/2 an inch in diameter, and arrange the slices on a baking sheet. Freeze the bananas for at least two hours, and then puree them in a food processor. Once the mixture is sweet and creamy, add the peanut butter. You can serve the mix as a soft ice-cream or refrigerate it for a few hours for a harder outcome.

2. Mango Ice Cream

Mangoes are one of the most exotic fruits on the planet – you can do almost anything with them, including make ice cream. Mango ice cream is low in calories.

What you need:

  • About 2 pounds of mangoes (preferably Alphonso mangoes)
  • Milk powder of your choice
  • 7 ounces of low fat cream
  • 1 cup of skimmed milk
  • 1/2 cup of sugar

Cube the mangoes, and puree them in a food processor. Add the rest of the ingredients, and blend for another two minutes. Pour the liquid ice-cream into containers, and freeze for about an hour. After an hour, remove the mixture from the freezer and beat with a fork. Repeat this step at least three times. Leave the final mix in the fridge overnight.

3. Chocolate Truffles

You can eat chocolate (dark chocolate) even when you’re on a diet.

What you need:

  • 1 tablespoon of almond butter or peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup of chocolate chips
  • 1/4 cup of fat-free Greek yogurt
  • 1/3 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder

Melt the chocolate chips however you wish. While the mixture is still warm, stir in the almond butter and mix until combined. Then, add in the Greek yogurt by folding, and mix well. Refrigerate for about 15 minutes until it starts hardening, and then start forming the truffles. Finally, roll your truffles in the unsweetened cocoa powder and refrigerate.

4. Mango, Kiwi, and Raspberry Pops

There is no better and healthier way to beat the summer heat than to make your very own ice pops. Although they do have some sugar added, they are better than the commercial pops out there.

What you need:

  • 5 ounces of peeled kiwi
  • 2 tablespoons of sugar
  • 9 tablespoons of water
  • 6 ounces of raspberries
  • 6 ounces of peeled mango

Create a syrup by adding water and sugar in a pot and bringing it to a boil. Separately blend all the fruit, and set it aside in three separate bowls. Divide the syrup between the containers, and mix until well combined. Fill four small cups with kiwi puree, and place it in the freezer for an hour. Then, do the same with the mango puree, and freeze for about 20 minutes. Insert the sticks and freeze for another two hours, and lastly, add the raspberry puree and freeze overnight.

5. No-Bake Energy Bites

Not only are energy bites perfect for dessert, but they also make a tasty energy snack during the day.

What you’ll need:

  • 1 cup of oats
  • 2/3 cup of toasted shredded coconut (unsweetened for a healthier option)
  • 1/2 cup of peanut butter
  • 1/3 cup of honey
  • 1/2 cup of ground flaxseed
  • 1 tablespoon of chia seeds
  • 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup of chocolate chips

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl until thoroughly incorporated. Cover the bowl, and let it chill in the fridge for about an hour. Once chilled, roll into balls of whatever size you wish. Store in an airtight container, and enjoy your snacks for up to a week.

6. Cinnamon Peaches with Roasted Honey

This is probably one of the easiest desserts to make.

What you’ll need:

  • 2 tablespoons of light butter
  • 1/2 tablespoon of ground cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons of honey
  • 12 ounces of fat-free, vanilla-flavored Greek yogurt
  • 2 large, ripe peaches

Cut the peaches, and take the stone out. Coat each piece with 1/2 teaspoon of butter, 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, and 1/2 tablespoon of honey. Place the slices on a baking sheet and bake for up to 30 minutes until the peaches turn golden brown.

7. Chocolate Peanut Butter Avocado Pudding

This pudding is a perfect, gluten-free, vegan dessert that can last for up to three days.

What you’ll need:

Combine all the ingredients except the coconut cream into a food processor or blender and puree until smooth. Add or reduce the amount of milk to achieve the desired thickness, and do the same for the sweetness and chocolate. Divide into six small serving glasses and cover with plastic wrap. Let it chill for a few hours or overnight before serving and top with coconut whipped cream.

8. Carrot Cake Oatmeal Cookies

Everyone knows carrots are healthy, and who doesn’t love a bowl of oats, so why not combine them and create the ultimate healthy cookie?

What you’ll need:

  • 1 cup of oats
  • 3/4 cup of whole wheat flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon
  • 1/3 teaspoon of salt
  • 2 tablespoons of coconut oil
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup of maple syrup
  • 3/4 cup of grated carrots

Blend the oats, flour, salt, cinnamon, and baking powder in a bowl, and mix well. Separately, whisk the coconut oil, egg, and vanilla extract, adding the maple syrup until well combined. Mix the two mixtures together until you get a dough-like consistency. Add the grated carrots, and let the dough rest for about 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with foil. Form the dough into small balls, and press into a cookie shape. Place the cookies on the sheet two to three inches apart, and bake for up to 15 minutes.

9. Fruit Salad with a Twist

Fruit salad is a dessert that is as old as time, but this recipes adds a unique dressing.

What you’ll need:

  • 2 sliced peaches
  • 2 cups of grapes
  • 1 pint of blueberries
  • 1 pound of strawberries
  • 1 pint of raspberries
  • 2 tablespoons of vanilla instant pudding mix powder

Arrange all the fruit in a bowl as you wish and toss with the secret ingredient (pudding mix powder).

10. Three Ingredient Banana Cups

This recipe is not only easy to make, but is so full of chocolate goodness that you’ll satisfy your craving with one bite. The best part is you don’t need an oven to make these cups!

What you’ll need:

  • 1 ripe banana
  • 1/2 cup of chocolate chips of choice
  • 1/2 cup of almond milk or milk of choice

Melt the chocolate chips using the double boiler technique. Then spread a small amount at the bottom of some muffin cups. Freeze the muffin pan for ten minutes.

In the meantime, smash the banana and add a little bit on top of each cup. Fill the cups with the rest of the chocolate mixture and freeze until everything is firm.

11. Mo-tella Fudge Protein Bars

This is a healthy switch from the traditional Nutella protein bars that has all the goodness without the bad stuff. It’s easy to make without an oven and perfect for vegans.

What you’ll need:

  • 1 cup of unsweetened vanilla almond milk
  • 1/2 cup of roasted hazelnut butter
  • 1 1/2 cups of chocolate brown rice protein powder
  • 2/3 cup of oat flour
  • 3 tablespoons of unsweetened Dutch-processed cocoa powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/4 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips

Prepare an 8×8 pan with parchment paper and set aside. Add all the ingredients in a mixer under low speed until everything is combined. Repeat, making sure all the mixture on the bowl is incorporated. When the dough is fudgy, scoop into the pan and flatten it. Cover the pan with plastic wrap, and refrigerate it overnight. Slice the mixture into bar shapes, and wrap the slices in individual sandwich bags.

12. Frozen Banana Bites

This is the perfect dessert when you have a sweet craving but don’t have the time to make a complicated recipe.

What you’ll need:

  • 2 ripe bananas
  • 1 cup of chocolate chips
  • 2 tablespoons of coconut oil

Slice the bananas into rolls, and freeze them. In the meantime, melt the chocolate chips in the microwave with the coconut oil for about 30 seconds. Remove it and stir to combine all the ingredients, and repeat for another 15 seconds or so. Once all the chips are melted, let the mixture cool.

Then remove your bananas from the freezer, and dunk each slice into the coating. If your bananas are appropriately frozen, the chocolate will instantly create a shell. You can also add some almond butter before dipping into the chocolate.

13. Simple Oat Waffle

If you love waffles, there is no need to exclude them from your diet completely. Try this healthy option that is perfect for breakfast:

What you’ll need:

  • 2 ½ cups oats
  • 1 ½ cups water
  • 1 ½ cups almond milk
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ teaspoons salt

Unite all ingredients in a blender and puree until the texture becomes smooth. Heat your waffle iron and bake waffles accordingly. You can also top them with apple syrup, butter or honey, or your favorite fruit.

14. Apples with Cinnamon Yogurt Dip

This healthy sweet snack has all the delicious goodness you want in a dessert but also has calcium, potassium, and protein.

What you’ll need:

  • Dried apple rings or fresh apple slices
  • Vanilla greek yogurt
  • Cinnamon powder

Simply put the apple pieces in the greek yogurt and then top with cinnamon powder.

15. Apple Cookies

Let’s start by saying that these cookies are not traditional, but they do check all the boxes: sweet, healthy, and delicious.

What you’ll need:

  • Slices of apple sliced round like a cookie
  • Nut butter
  • Shredded coconut
  • Walnuts
  • Chocolate chips

To make these ‘modern’ cookies, spread a generous amount of nut butter over each apple slice. Then add the coconut shreds, walnuts, and chocolate chips.

16. FroYo Berry Bites

This healthy and refreshing dessert is gluten-free and packed with nutrients, thanks to the different berries used in the recipe.

What you’ll need:

  • 1/2 cup of crushed almonds
  • 2 tablespoons of coconut sugar
  • 3/4 cup of Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons of honey
  • 1 1/2 cups of fresh, chopped berries (strawberries or raspberries)
  • 6 cup muffin tins with liners

Line a muffin tin with parchment and set aside. Mix the crushed almonds, coconut oil, and coconut sugar in a bowl. In a separate bowl, mix the yogurt and honey, and spoon about two tablespoons into each muffin cup. Top with the berries and freeze for about six hours. Before serving, remove the wrapper, and let it set for room temperature.

So there you have it: 16 of our favorite recipes that are sweet and still healthy. If you don’t have time to create anything special, there are some alternatives to help you fight your sugar cravings.

Foods to Help you Fight Sugar Cravings

Dark Chocolate

If you noticed, most of the recipes we mentioned use a lot of dark chocolate and for a good reason. Dark chocolate has healthy plant compounds known as polyphenols. Studies show that these compounds can help improve heart health. With less sugar and fat than regular chocolate has, dark chocolate is the perfect alternative to sweet cravings.

Yogurt

Even if you don’t have time to bake some healthy dessert, you can always snack on yogurt topped with some fruit. Studies show that yogurt can help regulate your appetite and even curb cravings. For the most robust type of yogurt, make sure it has live cultures and no sugar.

Berries

Berries are ideal for satisfying your sweet tooth because they are usually delightful but have a low sugar content. Also, berries have high fiber, which makes them perfect if you want to control your sugar intake. They also have healthy antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, which can reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes.

Dates

Even when dried, dates are a great source of iron and potassium. The next time you crave your favorite soda or candy, try munching on a few dates. The icing on the cake is that dates are rich, so you won’t be able to eat too many at a time.

Smoothies

If you crave something sweet and fresh at the same time, the best solution is a smoothie. Just make sure you use healthy ingredients like fresh fruits and almond milk, so you still get some health benefits.

Prunes

Like dates, these are also full of fiber and rich in nutrients, plus they are sweet. Instead of eating candies, try prunes as a healthy alternative. The high-fiber content of prunes may also help with constipation.

Sugar-Free Chewing Gums

Chewing gum can not only control your sugar cravings, but can even control hunger, cravings, and overeating. Although the gums are made with artificial sweeteners, they contain minimal calories and have no sugar.

Sweets on a Diet

If you’ve been postponing your diet regimen because you’re afraid you’ll have to give up your favorite sweets, you don’t have to. You can easily maintain a healthy diet of your choice and still enjoy desserts.

The secret is sticking to desserts that still have some nutritional value while providing the same yumminess of traditional sweets. If you don’t have time to create a healthy dessert, you can always try the healthy alternatives of prunes, smoothies, dates, berries, dark chocolate, or yogurt. Enjoy your journey to weight loss, continue to eat the sweet delicacies you love, and watch your fat shred.

Related Articles

Back to top button