What do you do when you feel like something sweet to snack on, but don’t want to reach for cake, cookies or dessert? If, like me, you have a sweet tooth but want to lose weight and get fit again, this is a question that pops into your mind quite often.
In the past few months I’ve been reading a lot about nutrition and eating healthily, and I changed the way I eat quite radically; I’m happy to say that sticking to my decision to eat dessert once a week has been quite easy.
As a matter of fact, I don’t even have dessert every single week.
And I don’t feel deprived at all.
Do you want to know why?
Because I have a list of healthy treats that I can turn to every time I want something sweet. With these treats at end, I don’t reach for the biscuits tin any more, and still feel satisfied.
So here are my 5 healthy, quick and easy to make sweet treats:
1 – A couple of dates, pitted and filled with about half a teaspoon of almond butter, cashew butter or any other nut butter I have on hand. This treat is extremely rich and satisfying, and it’s packed with vitamins, minerals, good fats and even proteins. It’s a good snack pre & post exercise too, plus it’s really quick to assemble; P has become a convert too. Always delicious, and even more if you use fresh dates, this is perfect for when you crave something decadent like a chocolate.
2 – A small apple, sliced and dipped into an almond butter dip made with 2 teaspoons of almond butter and 2 teaspoons of non-dairy milk, mixed until combined. You can sweeten the dip with a tiny amount of stevia, but I love this almond-apple combo as it is. Especially good when you crave something crunchy and not overly sweet.
3 – A thick smoothie made with 1 medium banana, 2 dates, 100 ml non-dairy milk, 1 heap teaspoon almond butter and one teaspoon of carob powder. A bit more substantial, this makes a delicious and filling snack. Great after a workout, with lots of potassium from the banana & dates!
4 – A small serving of yoghurt sweetened with stevia, with 1/3 teaspoon of cinnamon stirred in. Cinnamon is a spice with many health benefits, including the ability to stabilise sugar levels in the blood (see here and here) plus it tastes amazing – I simply love it! I usually have soy yogurt, but recently I started eating small amounts of natural organic cow yoghurt too, and although I’m lactose intolerant I can digest that well – if you want to know why lactose-intolerant people can often eat yoghurt, read here and here. If you want, you can top your yoghurt with one or two teaspoons of granola, for a more substantial snack and a yummy mix of smoothness & crunchiness.
5 – A small serving of strained yoghurt, or labneh, served with a berry coulis. This sounds more difficult than it is: to make the strained yoghurt just put a piece of muslin or cheesecloth over a small sieve, place the sieve over a bowl and pour some yoghurt (either soy, cow, or goat) into the sieve. Leave in the fridge for 5-6 hours up to a couple of days, depending on the consistency you prefer. To make the berry coulis, just put a handful of berries, fresh or frozen, in a small pan with some stevia, agave syrup or honey; simmer gently for a few minutes until the berries are soft, then pour over the strained yoghurt and enjoy. I love eating this every time I feel like ice-cream or any custard-like dessert.
What do you think of these healthy sweet treats? Do you have any favourite treat that you’d like to share? Please leave a comment and let me know. Thank you!
if you liked this post, please share the link with others.
If you’d like me to feature a particular recipe, or an interior design question, just send an email to cristina@positivelybeauty (dot) com and I’ll do my best to accommodate your request.
Subscribe to Positively Beauty here to receive your free updates and make sure you don’t miss any post. You’ll also receive a free copy of my e-book “Sweet Delights – 21 recipes for mouthwatering handmade gifts”.
Thank you!
Disclaimer: I’m not a qualified nutritionist; these sweet treats are great for me, but we’re all different so please learn to know what’s good for you 
Comments on this entry are closed.
{ 5 comments }
I love the idea of the dates plus nut butter! I had two half an hour before going to the gym, they’re delicious.
Good to know you enjoyed the date treat, Mary
Thanks so much for sharing! I love your tips. I think the only time I don’t eat for 5+ hours is at night time, because I sleep for approx 8 hours. But apart from that.
Andrew recently posted..Cheaper Ways to Experience Olive Garden and Italian Cooking
Hi Cristina,
Thanks for this! Exactly what I need right now. When I saw the photo, it gave me an idea, which turns out to be a combo of your #2 and #4. I’m currently leaning toward low-fat and I’ve made fruit salad in the past with a little “dressing” made of non (or low) fat yoghurt sweetened with stevia with cinnamon added (your #4). So, I saw your photo and thought I could use that dressing as a dip for apple slices (even tho your almond butter sounds wonderful!). A little better than the potato chips I have trouble resisting, ya think?
Thanks for the inspiration.
Patti Foy | Lightspirited Being recently posted..Timely Tidbits- Honor Your Spirit at the Root of the Matter
You’re welcome Patti! Your yoghurt deep sounds yummy too…and it made me think that I also love it poured over stewed apples – healthier than cream