Who says you can’t have the best of both worlds? For all you dieters out there, there are plenty of ways to enjoy some sweet treats and stay lean.
We’ve all had those days that, no matter what, we can’t seem to get that sweet tooth to go away. But you don’t want to risk your diet and health just because of a craving. Which means you’ll need another way to satiate that sweet tooth.
And luckily, there are plenty of ways. If you’re the type who just can’t go a day without devouring something sweet, this is for you. Here are some of the best snacks that’ll satisfy your sweet tooth.
1. Bananas
This might not be a very complicated snack, but it’ll get rid of that sweet tooth. The trick is to eat these when they’re extra ripe. Eating bananas that are starting to get those little brown spots will be super helpful in getting rid of your sweet cravings simply because they’re naturally very, very sweet.
2. Popcorn with peanut butter and cocoa
Another amazingly delicious snack that’s also on the healthier side is popcorn with some peanut butter and cocoa.
You can even pop some on your stovetop to cut down on some added sodium in store-bought popcorn. Toss the final popcorn with some peanut butter and lightly dust with cocoa powder and you’ve got a sweet, delicious snack!
3. Parfait
Not only is this yogurt, fruit, and granola treat right for you, it’s also sweet and super satisfying. If you want to make it a little sweeter, dust it with some cocoa powder before digging in!
4. Chocolate milk
Some may say to avoid dairy and if they’re on a really strict diet but if not, dig into the chocolate milk! Finishing a meal with a single glass is a fantastic way to kick that sweet craving and also enjoy some added protein and nutrients. Just make sure not to go overboard!
5. Strawberries dipped in dark chocolate
If you need chocolate, then chocolate dipped strawberries are the way to go. Not only is your chocolate consumption limited if you’re only using it for strawberries, but it’s also even better for you but if you skip the milk chocolate and opt for some darker stuff. It has more nutritional value but will still crave your chocolate cravings.
6. Fruit popsicles
This might not be the best if you’re someone who craves chocolate or pastry type desserts, but it’ll be great for anyone else. Throw some fruit in a blender and dump it all in a popsicle tray. You’ll always have some sweet, cold treats ready to go. For an added dose of sweetness, put some honey into the blender while mixing.
7. Banana, peanut butter, cocoa ice cream
Okay, so it might not be traditional ice cream, but it’s close enough. All you have to do is throw some bananas into a blender with peanut butter and a little cocoa. Throw it in the freezer for a couple of hours, and you have ICE CREAM!, It takes just as good, if not better, and it’s way healthier for you.
8. Yogurt Nutella Dip
Nutella isn’t the healthiest thing in the world but it’s also not the worst, either. If you need that something sweet at the end of the day, mix some plain Greek yogurt with Nutella and dip your fruit in it. You’ll get the sweetness of the Nutella while also getting some extra protein from the yogurt. It’s a win-win!
9. Protein Granola with Milk
I’m a huge fan of cereal. I could eat it all the time and that’s a problem because cereal isn’t all that healthy for you. However, if you throw some protein granola in a bowl and add a little milk (even almond milk works great), it tastes just as good as cereal and is way healthier for you. Plus, it’ll get rid of those sweets cravings you have.
10. Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds
If you can find these at the store, that’s great. Personally, I prefer to make my own. I just melt down some dark chocolate and throw in a lot of almonds. It’s okay if they don’t get completely covered with chocolate. Then I toss them on a parchment paper lined pan before putting them in the fridge to set. For an added treat, you can also sprinkle some orange zest over the tops of them before putting them in the fridge!
11. Almond Milk Hot Chocolate
Winter is a very bad time for those who are trying to watch what they eat. You’re cold and all those cookies are oh so warm! Instead of digging in, have some hot chocolate made with almond milk. It’s way more nutritious and it’ll take care of all the sweet foods you’ve been craving.
12. Rice Cake Topped with Cocoa Peanut Butter
Have you noticed a trend with this peanut butter cocoa combo yet? If you want, you can mix the peanut butter with the cocoa before spreading on top of your rice cake or you can just dust the top of it when you’re done. It’ll be chocolatey, peanut buttery, and you won’t crave anymore sweets!
13. Chocolate Avocado Pudding
I know what you’re thinking, it sounds gross. It’s really, really not! Get that blender out, throw in some avocado, cocoa, and honey for sweetener and wait for a creamy, delicious snack. If you want to melt down some milk chocolate to give it a little extra kick of sweetness, go for it!
14. Granola and Fruit “Pie”
This might take a little more work on your part, but you won’t be disappointed. Instead of devouring real pie and loading yourself with a bunch of unnecessary calories, just make one of these.
Simply throw some brown sugar in with your fruit, heat it up until it’s nice and gooey, and throw it on top of some granola. If you want to go the extra mile, you can also mix this all together and bake it so the granola gets a little crunchy.
15. Dark Chocolate and Cranberry Trail Mix
Trail mix is always a great idea. To make it a little sweeter and less sodium-packed, add in some dark chocolate and cranberries. Keep the rest of the mix nut-based, and it’ll be way healthier!
Eating healthy doesn’t mean you have to give up sweets altogether. In order to satisfy your sweet tooth and maintain your healthy lifestyle, give these snacks a try before digging into the cake.
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