I've always been one of those people who needs something sweet as a late afternoon snack (if not right after lunch). Okay, who am I kidding? I absolutely love dessert and, if and when I can, I choose to even start my day with a Nutella sandwich. This is the truth. But unfortunately, the truth is also that if I ate dessert the way I actually want to, i.e. post every single meal, I would - a) be severely overweight b) probably have various health issues as a result. And so, I don't. Eat dessert after every meal that is. However, that doesn't mean that my need for eating something sweet just disappears and promises to never come back. My cravings and sweet tooth remain intact but I have found a way to deal with them, and if I dare say, trick them.
Instead of eating dessert that is full of sugar and would in turn only lead me to craving more sugar and dessert, I found myself some alternatives. They're sweet, delicious and minus the guilt of an actual dessert.
So, craving dessert? Here's what you can eat instead.
1. Try A Pineapple and Yogurt Parfait
Hear the word parfait and you're imagining an indulgent, creamy, sugary dessert. Well, try a healthier, lower calorie version, that really is quite delicious too. Build your own pineapple parfait by layering a bowl or tall glass with low-fat, high protein yogurt. You could try this one. Next, add some seeds or nuts of your choice. Slice some pineapple and add it right on top. The sweetness of the pineapple and the creaminess of the yogurt will satisfy you and leave you thinking a little less of that chocolate cake you've been dreaming of.
2. Try A Healthier Version Of Chocolate Cake
No, I'm not going to ask you to whip something up in your own kitchen. Thankfully, we live in a time where healthier versions of a lot of our favourite foods are available. For a chocolate enthusiast like me, life would have been impossible had there not been. So after some research and continued trial and error, I found a high-protein, low-calorie brownie that satisfies my sugar craving and satiates my appetite. It's ready to eat and if you're anything like me and rooting for a summer body at the moment, let me tell you that they will not leave you feeling guilty.
3. Keep Your Peanut Butter Close
Calling anything with the word 'butter' in it a diet food of sorts might sound counterintuitive, but believe me, in this case, it's not. Peanut butter has the enviable combination of high fiber and protein that fills you up and keeps you feeling full for longer, so you eat less overall. You know what that means? It means your need for getting dessert after a meal will also be lesser, if only you eat a spoon of some delicious peanut butter instead. If you're looking to even ditch some of the sugar calories that regular peanut butter has, you could try this unsweetened one.
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