For many families, dessert is the most highly anticipated part of a meal. However, as more households shift their focus to health and weight control, planning sweet treats for the family has become more of a challenge.
Image credit: rakratchada torsap | FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Fortunately, there is an endless supply of healthy treats that are lower in unhealthy fats, refined sugar and other components that are counterproductive to maintaining good health.
The following treats rank high in both the health and satisfaction categories.
Chocolate banana
For a whole fruit-based frozen treat, a frozen chocolate banana is an easy, nutritious option.
- To prepare, simply peel a banana and cut it into two equal halves, and place into the freezer.
- After the banana halves are frozen solid, remove from the freezer, and roll them into melted chocolate.
- For an added crunch, the banana halves can be rolled into a small pile of nuts, granola or any other desired topping before the chocolate hardens.
Bananas provide vitamins C and B6, along with potassium and fiber.
Peanut butter and chocolate pretzels
Some people enjoy a mix of sweet and salty. Peanut butter and chocolate pretzels are a balanced combination of both flavors and are a very healthy, crunchy treat.
- Combine one square of dark chocolate with one teaspoon of peanut butter in a microwavable dish.
- Heat until melted, remove and roll pretzel rods into the mixture.
- The pretzel rods can then be rolled into a pile of nuts for an added topping.
This snack is excellent for curbing cravings for more sugary options.
Frozen yogurt
Frozen yogurt offers families a low-fat, flavorful alternative to traditional ice cream. With the recent surge in popularity of the frozen treat, yogurt stores like Yumz Frozen Yogurt, have been popping up in neighborhoods across the country. Therefore, frozen yogurt also offers a convenience factor for families that are constantly on the go.
Baked apple
Another whole fruit dessert that offers the warmth of comfort food with fewer calories, baked apples are easy to make. Medium apples are best for cooking as they are filling and will not require as much time to bake.
- Simply core the apple, remove the skin around the top, and stuff the apple with cinnamon, raisins and virtually any other spice, fruit or nut filling according to taste.
- Top the apple with a pat of butter or alternative and sugar before placing in an oven-safe bowl with a tablespoon of water added to the dish.
- Bake the apple at 350 for one hour or until tender.
Smothered angel food cake
Although it has a great texture, angel food cake has a relatively low calorie and fat content when compared to other cake and baked dessert options. Smother the cake with a small amount of cream and sprinkle with freshly-cut fruit pieces.
Broiled fruit
The obvious theme of this list of healthy treats is fruits, fruits, fruits. Our ripe friends are the best option when you are looking for something both sweet and healthy.
- For this incarnation, take the fruit of your choice, such as apricot or pineapple, slice them, and place them on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray.
- Broil them for a couple minutes, flip them, and broil for another couple minutes.
- If you want a slightly sweeter touch, sprinkle a little brown sugar on the fruit after you flip them.
No need to skip dessert
For those who are health-conscious but also have a sweet tooth, the dessert world is filled with numerous healthy selections. More avid cooks may wish to even consider modifying traditional sweet treats by making healthy ingredient substitutions.
A recent college graduate from University of San Francisco, Anica loves dogs, the ocean, and anything outdoor-related. She was raised in a big family, so she’s used to putting things to a vote. Also, cartwheels are her specialty. She also loves her Yumz Frozen Yogurt, with the best frozen yogurt in Chicago.
[…] need to avoid unnecessary temptations by spinning them into healthier alternatives. By simply swapping out a few ingredients, your favorites can be guiltless pleasures once […]