If you’re like most people, you like to finish off a yummy meal with an indulgent dessert. When you’re trying to eat right, however, it can be challenging to satisfy your sweet tooth without sacrificing your diet. Nutrition and sugary treats don’t necessarily go hand in hand, but there are plenty of final courses that are both delicious and healthy. So, next time you’re craving a scrumptiously sweet conclusion to your dinner, reach for one of these mouthwatering yet wholesome options.
Apple pie parfaits
Who doesn’t love a piece of warm, delicious apple pie after a savory meal? Despite this classic dessert containing healthy fruit, those vitamins and nutrients are largely negated by all the butter, sugar and other indulgent ingredients that are also used. If you love the flavor of apple pie, try this healthy alternative, suggested by Yammie’s Noshery. Start by cutting up one apple into bite-size chunks. Coat them in cinnamon and a healthy sweetener of your choice, then microwave until they are warm and soft. Top the apple pieces with vanilla Greek yogurt and healthy granola or nuts for added crunch.
Watermelon popsicles
On a hot summer day, it’s tempting to reach for a rich, creamy ice cream cone. Next time this craving strikes, try whipping up some of these delicious, refreshing popsicles. Not only do they have less sugar than most of your favorite ice creams, but they’re so light and yummy that you won’t even notice you’re eating healthfully! This recipe, courtesy of Cooking Light magazine, makes eight pops. Grab these ingredients to get started:
Watermelon layer
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
- 2 cups 1/2-inch watermelon, cubed and seeded
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
Lemon layer
- 6 tablespoons sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 2/3 cup lemon juice
- 1/3 cup orange juice
- 1/4 teaspoon orange extract
First, prepare the watermelon layer by mixing the sugar and water together in a saucepan over medium heat. Once the mixture is boiling, stir for 30 seconds, or until the sugar completely dissolves. Turn off the heat, add the mint and let the combination sit for half an hour. Once it’s cool, strain it into a bowl.
In a blender, process the watermelon chunks until they are smooth. Strain the watermelon puree into the bowl containing the mint and water mixture. Add the lime juice, then cover the bowl and let it chill for about an hour. Pour 2 1/2 tablespoons of the mixture into each of your eight popsicle molds and allow them to freeze for about 90 minutes. Take the pops out of the freezer, add wooden sticks, and freeze again for one hour.
While the pops are freezing, create the lemon layer by combining the sugar and water in a saucepan on medium heat. Once it’s boiling, stir the mixture for 30 seconds to make sure the sugar dissolves completely. Next, pour the mixture into a bowl and add the lemon juice, orange juice and orange extract. Let this combination cool for 15 minutes, then cover it and place it in the fridge for about an hour.
Take the pop molds from the freezer and pour 3 tablespoons of the lemon mixture into each one. Allow the molds to freeze for two more hours, serve and enjoy!
You can still enjoy sweet treats as part of a healthy diet.
Strawberry shortcakes
Creamy, fruity, sweet – what else do you need in a dessert? While some strawberry shortcake recipes call for high-fat or high-sugar ingredients, this option, inspired by Health magazine, uses healthier alternatives.
Simply combine 1 tablespoon calorie-free sweetener with 1 tablespoon corn starch in a saucepan over medium heat. Add in 1 cup orange juice. Stir this combination for 1 minute, remove it from heat and add 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract. Stir well, then cover this mixture and let it cool completely.
Once the mixture is cool, add 1 1/2 cup sliced strawberries and stir, coating the fruit with the liquid. Once you’ve mixed everything well, cover this combination and let it chill for half an hour. After 30 minutes is up, simply spoon this over dessert shells and top each shortcake with a dollop of vanilla Greek yogurt.
Cherries, almonds and ricotta
One of the most exciting parts of revamping your diet is experimenting with new and interesting foods. Step outside the traditional dessert box with this tasty, rich and health-conscious suggestion from EatingWell magazine.
Start by heating 3/4 cup frozen, pitted cherries in the microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, or until they are warm. Place the fruit in a serving dish and top with 2 tablespoons part-skim ricotta and 1 tablespoon toasted, sliced almonds.
“Sometimes, you just need chocolate!”
Grilled chocolate sandwiches
Sometimes, you just need chocolate. And while it can be hard to turn down a decadent pastry, this quick and easy recipe is just as delicious as your favorite croissant or danish – only much healthier. This recipe, courtesy of EatingWell, makes eight scrumptious servings.
To begin, heat 1/4 cup fat-free evaporated milk until it starts to boil. Add 3 ounces bittersweet chocolate and allow the mixture to stand for 1 minute. Whisk the milk and chocolate together until smooth, then let the combination cool.
Divide the chocolate evenly onto four slices of thin whole-wheat bread. Add fruit slices or nuts if you want, then cover the bread with four additional slices to create four sandwiches. Grill the sandwiches for 1 to 2 minutes in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Be sure to turn the sandwiches so both sides are evenly toasted. Once they’ve been cooked to your liking, cut each sandwich in half and serve warm.
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