Wifely Steps

My sister just baked her famous cookies and I think I’ve devoured a dozen in the past five minutes. Must. stop. munching. I really have to start eating healthier desserts.

It’s hard to ignore a screaming sweet tooth after a delightful meal. Dessert doesn’t have to be sinful to be enjoyed! One can still satisfy that sweet craving and still make that angel on his shoulder happy. Here are ideas for a dozen healthy desserts.

1. Fruit Parfait. Layer yogurt and fresh fruits in a glass. Chill and serve. Fruits that work: Berries, bananas, pineapples, kiwi. Throw in some granola in between layers too. Mmm! Or if you’re like me, just throw everything into a glass and drop the layering.
2. Frozen Grapes. Just put a bunch of grapes in a freezer container, stick into the freezer and enjoy when frozen. They’re quite refreshing on a summer day! I also like draining out a can of fruit cocktail (not fond of the sweet syrup!), putting the contents in a freezer container then enjoying it frozen too.
3. Fresh Fruit Bowl. In a bowl, combine sliced bananas, berries, melons and watermelons scooped out with a melon baller, kiwi, pineapples, orange slices. Chill and serve.
4. Fruit Pops. In a blender, puree watermelon and strawberry. Pour liquid in popsicle trays and serve. Other fruit pop combinations that work: mango-orange, mango-melon, berries with other berries, pineapple-raspberry.
5. Soy Ice Cream. It doesn’t have as much calories and cholesterol as regular ice cream, but can be just as delicious!
6. Frozen Yogurt. It has less fat and less calories than ice cream. But if you could opt to just stick a container of your regular yogurt in your freezer, why not? That’s what I do and it’s delicious too! Regular yogurt is much healthier than fro-yo, you know.
7. Dark Chocolate Bar. Break off a piece of that dark choco and indulge. Dark chocolate is said to have antioxidants and is good for the heart. Just enjoy in moderation.
8. Fried Bananas. On a hot pan, lay out sliced bananas and toast till they’re golden on one side. Then flip over. They’re naturally sweet and creamy!
9. Apples and Peanut Butter. Slice apples into wedges. Serve with a small amount of peanut butter. Yum!
10. Dark-chocolate covered fruit. Melt dark chocolate in the microwave or the fondue pot if you’re feeling fancy. Dip fresh fruit in such as strawberries and bananas.
11. Cottage cheese and fruit. If you’re not a fan of yogurt, how about cottage cheese and strawberries instead?
12. Sugar-free cakes and pastries. If you really must have cake, opt for the choice with fewer calories and fat.

Choose fruits first before anything else if you really must have dessert. They have lots of fiber and vitamins. The fresher, the better. Enjoy!

My sister’s cookies are calling out to me again. There’s a bunch of bananas hanging in the kitchen too. I think I know which one to go for now.

I think.

Happy healthy dessert eating! Can you share other healthy dessert ideas?

Image credit: nkzs