Dessert and diet seldom go together until ow

Fruit-based desserts are a good option to have your cake and eat it too. Losing weight is still possible when the dessert is fruit-based.  Here are some examples. Don’t limit yourself to one or two.  Try them all.

Fruit provides natural sweetness, along with fiber and essential vitamins. 

• Baked cinnamon apples: Core an apple, sprinkle with cinnamon, and bake until tender for a warm, low-calorie treat.

• Frozen fruit popsicles: Blend your favorite fruits, like berries or mango, with water or coconut water and freeze in molds.

• Dark chocolate-dipped strawberries: Dip fresh strawberries into melted dark chocolate for a satisfying dessert with antioxidants. 

Dairy and plant-based desserts

Plain Greek yogurt and cottage cheese are high in protein and can be used as a creamy, low-sugar dessert base. 

• Greek yogurt parfait: Layer Greek yogurt with fresh berries and a sprinkle of nuts or low-sugar granola.

• Cottage cheese ice cream: Blend cottage cheese until smooth and creamy, then freeze for a high-protein, ice-cream-like dessert.

• Frozen yogurt bark: Spread Greek yogurt on a parchment-lined baking sheet, top with fruit and dark chocolate, and freeze until solid.

• Tofu chocolate mousse: Blend silken tofu, cocoa powder, and natural sweeteners for a high-protein, low-fat mousse. 

Pudding and ice cream alternatives

These recipes use creative substitutions to achieve a rich texture without excessive calories or sugar.

• Chia seed pudding: Mix chia seeds with almond milk or Greek yogurt and refrigerate until a pudding-like consistency forms. Top with fresh fruit.

• "Nice" cream: Blend frozen bananas until smooth and creamy. Add a scoop of protein powder, cocoa, or vanilla extract for extra flavor.

• Avocado chocolate mousse: Blend a ripe avocado with cocoa powder and a natural sweetener for a creamy, rich dessert. 

Healthy baked goods

For those who enjoy baked treats, these recipes use alternative ingredients to keep calories in check.

• Oatmeal banana cookies: Mash ripe bananas and mix with rolled oats. Add cinnamon or cocoa powder and bake.

• Black bean brownies: Pureed black beans can be used as a base for moist, fudgy brownies that are high in fiber and protein.

• Baked pears: Bake pears with a sprinkle of cinnamon and serve with a dollop of Greek yogurt.