Eating healthy often means forgoing dessert, which isn’t always a good idea. Why? Dessert often signals to your body that you are done eating, and it is time to start burning calories and focus on digestion. Still, it can be difficult to stay within your caloric goals if you are going to eat dessert, so many people feel stuck when it comes to their nightly dessert dilemma, especially if they’re following a specific diet like a vegan diet or a gluten-free diet.

The good news is that there are plenty of dessert options out there that aren’t full of empty calories and sugar. You may have to change what you traditionally have for dessert, but you don’t have to completely abandon your favorite cookies or cakes.

The answer? You simply have to be smarter about what you choose to eat—duringyour meal and for dessert if you want to indulge. But we’re here to help! Here are some of our favorite healthy dessert options that still taste oh-so-yummy.

ProteinCookies

Sometimes your body just can’t stop craving something sweet or chocolatey —whether it’s that time of the month or you just had a really stressful day at work. Instead of giving in, make your cookiebite something that will keep you full and help you reach your goals.

Proteincookies use healthy ingredients, protein powder, and better-for-you flours like almond flour to make cookies that taste great. These cookies tend to be a little thicker and crumblier than other cookies, but they’ll still go great with a glass of milk or even with some low-calorie ice cream.

No Bake Options

There are tons of recipes out there for no bake bars and cakes. These recipes are almost always healthier than the recipes that you do bake. So, whether you are making fudgy brownies or protein balls, aim for no bake options.

The only thing you have to be sure of is that you watch your portion sizes. It can be really easy to take a few small pieces, and before you know it, you are eating as much as you would have eaten if you’d just taken a large slice.

Grilled Pineapple 

Pineapple is an amazing fruit that is sweet and tart. If you have your grill going, take a few slices of pineapple, throw on coconut sugar and cinnamon (or even a spice like a chili powder for some extra flavor), and then allow them to caramelize on the grill. They taste really great on their own (kind of like the pineapple upside-down experience), but when you mix them with vanilla ice cream, they are simply irresistible.

Even better, you can refrigerate the pineapple, and they stay pretty good for a few days.

Low Calorie Protein Ice Cream

We all know the ice cream pints that have somewhere between 200-300 calories for the entire thing, and some of them are great (while others are not). Unfortunately, everyone seems to have different tastes regarding these flavors, so you may have to try to find what you like best.

If you want to make your ice cream even more satisfying and filling, you can even make your own using protein powder, bananas, and your favorite milk, and then toss it in the freezer. If you buy the pints, you can even throw in some dark chocolate chips or fruit to make it more flavorful.

Fruit Crumbles 

Oh, the fruit! Fruit crumbles make for great desserts because they have all of the qualities that you love about apple pie, but it cuts down the pie crust. Find fresh fruit that you love, such as blueberries, strawberries, or rhubarb, and put it into a pan. Mix in some sugar if you think it needs it, then put homemade crumbles on top. Bake for a bit and get a crunchy, sweet, filling dessert that is still lower in calories.

If you have the calories, these crumblestaste great with whipped cream, ice cream, or some other frozen topping on them. You can also swap in plain Greek yogurt for the same cooling sensation without the added sugar.

Baked Pears or Peaches

Another great option is to bake pears or peaches and allow the natural sugars to form a type of syrup on them. The fruits will soften enough that you can scoop them out with a spoon. Add some granola on top for a bit of a crunch, or put this on top of ice cream for a complete dessert that tastes great.

If you are looking to eat something sweet, but you don’t want any added sugar, this is a true delight.

Low Fat Cheesecakes 

There are a lot of cakes out there that just lose something when you try to make them healthier. Luckily, cheesecake doesn’t seem to be one of those things. You can find some really great cheesecake out there that is low-fat and made with better ingredients that still taste amazing.

For added sweetness and flavor, consider topping with fresh berries.

Dark Chocolate 

Do you just need something that is chocolatey with just a hint of sweetness? Grab a few squares of dark chocolate or a few dark chocolate chips andreap the benefits. Dark chocolate is almost always better for you, and it will quell those cravings.

In fact, you can add dark chocolate chips or shavings to almost any of these recipes, and they will still be pretty healthy overall.

Apple Nachos

Ever heard of apple nachos? No? Well, you’re in for a real treat. Apple nachos are a great group dessert that gives you the best of all worlds. Start with a plate of sliced apples (not too thin but not too thick), and then cover them with whatever your heart desires. Most people love to drizzle warmed peanut butter over them, some chocolate syrup, and either top with peanuts or pretzels for a salty flavoring. For one person, one apple is enough, but you can make these en masse to share.

If you do make them for a crowd, just be sure not to eat too much —these are seriously addicting.

Parfaits

Don’t have the calories at the end of the day to eat a sundae, try the next best thing: a parfait. Parfaits blend granola, yogurt, and fruits together to make a wonderful dessert. You can make your own parfait using fresh fruits, granola, and your favorite yogurt (aim for something without added sugar and with a good amount of protein), or you can buyalready made parfaits.

Some people eat these for dessert, some as a snack, and some for breakfast. No matter what you use it for, it’s always a great option. Keep some in the fridge for the best results.

Mini Cupcakes, Donuts, or Brownies 

Okay, sometimes it is impossible to avoid sweets that don’t have fruit or healthy swaps. You want something that is sweet with sugar and icing. You want something made with white flour. We’ve all been there. If you are facing a craving for something you know isn’t your healthiest option, simply get it in a mini size.

There are plenty of options for mini muffins, brownies, and cupcakes out there. You may even be able to have two if there are a few different flavors.

Smoothies

Think outside the box for dessert, and make yourself a smoothie. The calories in smoothies add up quickly, so be sure to think your waythrough your recipe. Throw in some fruits and maybe even some veggies to make a complete smoothie. Focus on adding ice instead of dairy products to make it thicker. You can also add nut butter like almond butter to add some extra flavor.

The key to a really good smoothie? The blending —don’t be afraid to keep it in your blender for an extended amount of time. No one likes a chunky smoothie.

Zucchini Bread 

Now, we’re talking. Zucchini bread is a fantastic way to get something tasty at the end of your meal, but it doesn’t necessarily have a ton of sugar. There are a lot of recipes out there for flavorful zucchini bread with the perfect moist texture—even grain-free ones. Throw in some dark chocolate chips or dried cranberries, or add a touch of lemon for an even sweeter experience.

Watermelon Cake

Watermelon cake is a fantastic option for people who don’t really love baked goods but still want something sweet.This recipe uses a watermelon as the base and then pairs it with icing and some other fresh fruits. It is always a hit at cookouts and other gatherings where guests want something light and sweet without compromising their nutrition goals.

In Conclusion: Have Your Cake and Eat It Too 

Just because you are trying to live a healthier lifestyle, that doesn’t mean you have to forgo dessert. Instead, you just have to make healthier choices and start using ingredients like honey and maple syrup instead of processed sugar. Sometimes, this will mean eating a smaller piece of chocolate cake just to get the experience of it, or it will mean choosing a lower calorie option. Either works.

Remember that completely cutting something you like out of your diet can result in disordered eating and makes it less likely that you will stick to your diet for the long term. So, instead, be adventurousand simply learn how to work with your diet, so that you can live a happy, guilt-free life. You (and your sweet tooth) can do it!

Sources:

7 Proven Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate | Healthline

30+ Healthy Smoothie Recipes | Food With Feeling

Watermelon Recipes - Healthy Watermelon Dishes | Good Housekeeping