You know that feeling when you just want a bite of something sweet, but not sure of what? Load up on these mindful tips for when your next sweet tooth hits.
BY: LINDSEY PINE, MS, RDN, CSSD, CLT
Do you ever have those times when you want something sweet, but just a bite? Do your eyes light up when you eat dessert?
There is absolutely nothing wrong with eating a quality dessert if you’re in the mood for something sweet. It’s a great way to savor a pleasurable moment, but what happens when you give yourself dessert after restricting for awhile? You may end up bingeing on every sweet treat you can get your hands on!
Keep these 5 dessert tips handy and top of mind:
QUALITY OVER QUANTITY.
Go for that expensive single serve sweet with real ingredients instead of the cheap, volume-sized treats that don’t even taste that good and are filled with artificial ingredients. Eat slowly and savor each bite. It will be tastier, trust me!
EAT CHOCOLATE, BUT MAKE IT DARK.
Dark chocolate actually has heart healthy, anti-inflammatory qualities, but it’s best to choose the highest percentage of cocoa you can handle. Darker chocolate chips will be at 69 and 70%, while you can find chocolate bars at even 80%.
MAKE FROZEN GREEK YOGURT BARK.
Sometimes a creamy frozen treat really hits the spot! Mix in fruit like berries, plus chopped nuts, coconut flakes and/or even chocolate with greek yogurt, freeze, and serve! Bonus: it’s loaded with protein, probiotics and calcium.
ADD MORE NUTRITIOUS FOODS IN YOUR HOMEMADE DESSERTS.
Have you ever added mashed black beans to your brownies? It’s delicious! Add fruit and vegetable purees like pumpkin, banana, cauliflower, or zucchini to baked goods. Or, turn those purees into sorbets or “nice” cream. Beet and red wine sorbet, anyone?
EAT DESSERT WITH FRIENDS.
Instead of eating dessert alone, save dessert time for when you’re out socializing with friends. Since the restaurant portion will probably be large, remember that sharing is caring!
Adapted from the original article.
HEADER IMAGE: MARKUS SPISKE
Lindsey Pine, MS, RDN, CSSD, CLT is a Los Angeles-based dietitian, specializing in food sensitivities and culinary creations. Whether she’s working with students at University of Southern California or in her private practice, Lindsey helps others find the healthy foods that they love so help sustain their long-term success. To find your tastiest balance in life, connect with Lindsey at Tasty Balance Nutrition.