While dessert isn’t something you’d usually find on the menu when trying to lose weight, sometimes you just feel like something sweet, especially after finishing a yummy dinner.
Fortunately, dessert and other sweet treats don’t have to be off the menu when you’re following a weight loss or healthy eating plan.
You just need to be savvy about what you serve up.
Sugary treats, packed full of calories and additives are best avoided, regardless of whether you are trying to lose weight, largely due to the negative effect they have on your blood sugar and energy levels, causing them to spike then fall dramatically and leaving you with the infamous ‘sugar crash’.
Less than natural treats are also more likely to cause bloating and other uncomfortable sensations in your belly, not exactly the result you’re going for!
Preparing your own desserts that focus on nutritious ingredients like fruit, natural sweeteners like cinnamon and low fat dairy not only taste delicious, but can also be a guilt free, waist line friendly addition to your weight loss plan.
Enjoy!
Top 5 desserts and sweet treats
- Yoghurty Vanilla pudding – Mix 2 tbsp. low fat Jalna vanilla yoghurt with a tsp ground cinnamon, tsp shredded coconut and fresh or frozen blueberries or raspberries. (250 cal)
- Chocolate hedgehogs – 1 cup dark chocolate chips (the higher cocoa content the better), 1 tbsp frozen blueberries, 1 tbsp flaked almonds. Makes 4-6 hedgehogs (200 cal per hedgehog)
Microwave the chocolate on high until melted then add in the blueberries and flaked almonds. Place tbsp size portions on a dinner plate and refrigerate for 5-10 minutes until set.
- Oaty chocolate biscuits – 1 ripe banana, mashed, 2 tbsp honey, 1/4 cup cocoa powder, 1/4 cup skim milk, 1/4 cup low fat plain yoghurt, 1/2 cup reduced salt nut butter (peanut, almond or hazlenut are all delish), 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract, 2 cups rolled oats
In a small saucepan, combine banana, honey, cocoa, milk and nut butter over a medium/high. Bring to the boil then simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and add oats, vanilla and yoghurt and stir to combine. Place teaspoon sized portions on a large dinner plate and refrigerate till firm. Makes 6-8 cookies. (240 cal per cookie)
- Ice-cream free ‘ice-cream sandwich – 2 large bananas, 1 tbsp salt reduced peanut butter, 2 tbsp low fat natural yoghurt, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 2 drops pure vanilla essence.
Slice bananas into pieces and place in the fridge to cool. Combine yoghurt, peanut butter, cinnamon and vanilla in a small bowl. Remove banana from the fridge and assemble pieces into ‘sandwiches’ i.e. spread one slice of banana with peanut butter mix then top with another slice. Place in the freezer for 2-3 hours. Makes 6 sandwiches (60 cal per sandwich)
- Single serve strawberry ‘cheesecakes’ – 1 punnet of ripe strawberries, 2 tbsp low fat natural or vanilla yoghurt, 1/2 small ripe banana, 2 tbsp dark chocolate chips, 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
Mash the banana and mix in natural yoghurt and vanilla extract. Wash and cut the top off each strawberry, then using a sharp knife, remove the flesh from the centre to create a cavity. Spoon the yoghurt mixture into the empty cavity and top with a couple of chocolate chips.
If you are ready to lose weight then the Lose Baby Weight plans offer a healthy and safe exercise and diet routine.
And don’t forget to check out our current promotions and discounts page to see what specials we have on this week on our Healthy Mummy product range
