6 Easy Healthier Dessert tips (No need for guilt after eating these treats)

With these healthier dessert tips, you really can have your cake and eat it too!

When you think of a healthy food item, you probably picture veggies, salads or a giant green vegetable juice right? Just because you are trying to “eat healthily” doesn’t mean dessert has to go!

It is really difficult to rely on will power to only eat one slice of that chocolate cake or to cut the cupcake in half. My personal preference is switching some things up with your homemade desserts, using healthy alternatives and removing the guilt from those late-night snacking sessions that everyone does!

Okay, stick with me here. You do not need to all of a sudden attempt to get milk from your raw cashews or pretend as though using black beans to make brownies is the answer to all of lives problems. However, if that interests you, you’ll absolutely love these black bean brownies.

Time to start enjoying desserts, without the stomach ache and the guilt that follows.

If you are anything like me and have a mad sweet tooth, use these following six easy healthier dessert tips and sneak in those delicious and nutritious ingredients:

1. SWITCH YOUR FLOUR

Adding in some healthy flour alternatives like almond flour instead of using processed whole wheat flour is an easy way to make your desserts a little healthier! Those who need to follow a gluten-free diet will love that protein benefits of adding almond flour into your baking. If you are worried about the consistency of your favourite treats changing, consider using half and half. Half whole wheat flour and half almond flour. You will get the best of both worlds!

2. COCONUT OIL INSTEAD OF BUTTER

Coconut oil is low in sodium and can be used in any recipe that asks for butter at a 1:1 ratio! Coconut oil contains healthy saturated fat which time and time again has been proven to help lower cholesterol and can actually help you lose weight!

3. NATURAL SWEETENERS LIKE MAPLE SYRUP OR HONEY

I know you have a sweet tooth, so there is no need to try and deny it. Using natural sweeteners instead of white sugar (processed) will allow you to still satisfy that sweet tooth with a more natural ingredient. These sweeteners are not just empty calories and they will ensure the side effects of white sugar do not happen to you. Think side effects like energy crashes or craving more sugar without being able to stop.

4. APPLESAUCE INSTEAD OF OIL

Unsweetened applesauce is a powerhouse when it comes to making healthier desserts. Replacing high-fat oils like canola oil and vegetable oil with applesauce can actually make your sweet treats taste even better! Applesauce adds moisture and flavour to your cakes and muffins and by using applesauce you increase your daily intake of fibre and Vitamin C!

5. ADD NUTRIENTS WITH NUTS

Nuts can be a great way to add flavour and healthy sources of fat, protein, antioxidants, and fibre to your desserts. Think about adding some almonds, walnuts or cashews on top of or mixed into your favourite desserts to make them healthier and more nutrient-dense. By adding these sorts of nuts, you can also increase your brain function. Learn more about this by reading 12 foods to increase brain function.

6. SWAP MILK CHOCOLATE FOR DARK CHOCOLATE

Some extreme food bloggers out there will tell you that you can use cacao nibs instead of chocolate chips but sometimes you just need the real deal! So, instead of ditching the chocolate chips in those cookies - just switch things up for a darker variety of chocolate loaded with antioxidants, fibre, iron, and zinc! A quick tip: Go for chocolate that contains 70 percent cocoa or higher for maximum health benefits.

6 HEALTHIER DESSERT TIPS SUMMARY

So now you know how to make some easy healthier desserts I encourage you to try it out on your next recipe. Look over the recipe and think about how these tips can be used to make your sweet treats healthier. You may have to make the recipe a few times before you get the desired results but hey, you just get to taste test more and is that really so bad?

Switching gears and telling you about some other great ways to remove the guilt after overindulging over the weekend with an article all about the benefits of getting outdoors! Check out the 13 health benefits of getting outdoors and consider implementing a few of these to improve your mood. Bonus points if you pack your healthier desserts with you!

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