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Did you know that roughly sixty percent of the American population consume dessert after a meal at least once every week? Of those sixty percent of Americans, nearly forty percent indulge in cookies, ice cream, or gelato. While desserts are fun to enjoy, they should be kept to a minimum and better swapped for healthier alternatives.
Eating too much junk puts you at risk for heart disease and obesity as many desserts are high in calories, sodium, and saturated fats. Simply swapping them out for a healthier alternative can make you feel better and even improve your sleep, as many desserts are consumed before bedtime.
Here are six desserts to swap for to achieve a healthier diet:
To make nice cream, freeze peeled bananas until frozen, then toss in your food processor. Blend until smooth. Add a little vanilla if desired. You can get fancy with it too. This site has some good recipes for nice cream that you can try. (https://fitfoodiefinds.com/banana-soft-serve-recipes/)
Chia or Avocado Pudding
Did you know you can make a smooth, creamy pudding-like dish that has nutrition in it using avocado or chia? These recipes are amazing, and you won’t regret them.
Avocado Pudding recipe: https://www.makingthymeforhealth.com/easy-superfood-chocolate-pudding/
Chia pudding recipe: https://feelgoodfoodie.net/recipe/3-ingredient-chia-pudding/
Baked Apples or Pears
Fruit for dessert is becoming a theme as you see. A fruit dessert is a great way to use fruit and get something sweet into your diet that delights your tastebuds. Slice them, line the pan with the slices, cover with foil, and bake for about twenty minutes at 350 degrees F. The process of baking will dehydrate the fruit and make it sweeter. Add cinnamon or vanilla to add more kick.
Chocolate Dipped Bananas
It’s easy to make this snack. Simply melt a few dark chocolate chips in the microwave for a few seconds, then dip your banana in the silky goodness. Enjoy.
Caramel Date Sauce or Bars
Did you know you can make the best and sweetest fruit dip ever with dates? Try making this date dip, and then you’ll never go back to caramel. This recipe says it has two ingredients, but you can lose the salt, which will still be amazing. ( https://paleoglutenfree.com/recipes/2-ingredient-paleo-date-sauce/)
Baked Sweet Potatoes
In the mood for pie? Just bake a sweet potato in the microwave or the oven and enjoy. Sweet potatoes are good for you and offer natural sweetness and creaminess that requires nothing to be added.
These swaps are ultimately easier to create and can be more affordable to purchase as long as you source locally. Opting for fruits and vegetables instead of processed sugars and carbohydrates can protect your heart health. Be patient as you take your time trying each of these alternatives to your favorite desserts. Remember, texture and overall enjoyment may not be the same, but the flavor and better nutrients matter most in the long run.
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