Three Dessert Ideas for a Healthier “Something Sweet”

We’ve all experienced that moment at the end of a meal when you’re faced with the decision: dessert or no dessert? You’re pleased with your efforts to eat healthy, but you’re also craving something sweet to finish off your day. You indulge in some chocolate cake with the intention of having a couple of bites, and before you know it, the whole thing is gone.

Does this sound familiar? If so, we’ve got a few healthy dessert ideas that will satisfy your sweet tooth and won’t break the calorie bank.

How to Lighten Up Dessert

You can make many desserts healthier by increasing the proportion of fresh, whole ingredients like fruits and nuts, and reducing the amount of refined flour and sugar.

Here’s an example: Instead of having a big slice of cake topped with a few berries, have a larger portion of fresh berries topped with a smaller portion of cake. You can also try using whole food ingredients in your favorite dessert recipes, like using fresh bananas to make homemade ice cream.

Here’s how you can use this method to boost the nutrient value of three classic desserts: chocolate cake a la mode, cheesecake with berries and peach cobbler with whipped topping.

Chocolate Cake a la Mode

Top the ice cream of your choice with a few crumbles of flourless chocolate cake. Here are two of our favorite plant-based ice creams:

• Banana ice cream is sweet and satisfying, and full of potassium, fiber and vitamin B6. Just blend frozen bananas until smooth and creamy. Our favorite additions are vanilla extract and cacao powder.
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• Coconut ice cream is a great plant-based alternative to traditional ice cream. And it’s a tasty way to get more potassium and magnesium in your diet.

Cheesecake with Raspberries

Grab a bowl of fresh, ripe berries and top them off with a mini cheesecake. This is essentially an upside-down version of cheesecake topped with berries.

Raspberries are high in fiber and antioxidants, and won’t send your blood sugar spiking. They’re also downright delicious and with a few bites of cheesecake on top, you’ll be satisfied and nourished.

Peach Cobbler with Whipped Topping

Slice up a fresh peach and top it with a small amount of cobbler crumble. You can also try using homemade granola as the crumble for extra healthy fats and fiber.

We also like coconut whipped topping as a plant-based alternative to whipped cream. As a bonus, the granola and coconut combo will help keep your blood sugar stable and help you feel satiated longer.

What are your favorite ways to lighten up dessert? Share them in the comments below.