Categories: Food & Drink

14 Healthier Alternatives To Your Favorite Desserts

There is certainly nothing wrong with eating, making, and enjoying your desserts the way they were originally created! If you are trying to cut down on calories, figure out creative ways to incorporate healthier foods into your usual diet, this is an easy way to accomplish that goal.

Here are some healthier alternatives to some of your favorite treats!

1. Zucchini or Avocado Brownies

There is almost nothing better than smelling and eating a pan of freshly baked brownies! Depending on what type of brownies you enjoy, and the add-ins you incorporate, chances are that you might not notice if something extra is added. Some vegetables like zucchinis and avocados are great greens to incorporate into your favorite desserts! They can make brownies super moist and chewy. You will be surprised that you will not notice a difference in the taste.

2. Chocolate Quinoa Crunch Bites

Instead of chocolate-covered Rice Krispie treats or other goodies, give these quinoa crunch bites a try! Not only is quinoa gluten-free, nutritious, but it is also high in protein and fiber. Most of the calories you consume will be a result of the dark chocolate covering the quinoa! These bites are perfect for any time of the day, and the year.

3. Vegan No-Bake Snickerdoodles

The fewer the ingredients, the better and healthier the recipe is for you! Keep it simple with no added sugar, and a couple of simple, beneficial ingredients. Just because you are trying to go for  healthier alternatives, does not mean you have to sacrifice the quality or taste of your favorite foods! Try some simple recipes out for yourself to see how they compare to your go-to recipe.

4. Vanilla Bean Cheesecake

While choosing to test out recipes that are paleo, vegan, and gluten-free does not automatically make desserts healthier, they do add different foods to your diet that you might not normally encounter! Incorporating nuts into your diet can be beneficial in so many ways. Limiting added sugars is really good for you and incorporating dairy-free milk products into your diet is a great way to give your system a rest from all that lactose! 

5. Vegan Protein Chocolate Mousse

Most of us do not consume enough protein in our diets on a regular basis, so why not incorporate them into desserts when we can? Cutting out the dairy, and keeping the sugar content low is a no-brainer when it comes to eating healthier desserts! Who would have thought that combining white beans and chocolate would make an amazing and satisfying chocolate mousse?

6. Healthy Cookie Dough Bars

Swap out your usual batch of raw cookie dough for something vegan and gluten-free! You do not need many ingredients to make something delicious, healthy, and satisfying. Whether you are baking for yourself or for company, you cannot go wrong with a simple no-bake cookie bar recipe! Just be wary that not all “healthy” recipes are automatically lower in calories.

7. Buckeye Balls

Maybe you want to make something quick and easy for a girls’ night in or a movie night! No matter the occasion, these buckeye balls are the perfect dessert. Not only are they simple and easy to make, but you only need minimal ingredients for an amazing turnout! Depending on the recipe you choose, you can make these treats low-calorie, and without any added sugar!

8. Vegan Lemon Bars

If you are someone who enjoys lemons and all things tart, you will need to give these bars a try! Not only are they absolutely beautiful to look at, but they are so simple to make. These types of recipes usually yield a good amount of bars, so they are great for when you are hosting others at your place! Or if you want to eat them all yourself, there is no shame in doing so.

9. Blueberry Pie Bars

Sometimes we want to make something that reminds us of home or of happier and simpler times! Perhaps you enjoy baking treats that double as breakfast and dessert. No matter your reasoning for baking some delicious blueberry pie bars, these are perfect for any occasion! They are easy snacks you can take on the go or up to your room to snack on while finishing that Netflix series.

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10. Coconut Flour Cookies

While coconut flour cookies are not for everyone, if you like to be adventurous when it comes to the texture of your favorite cookies, you need to test out coconut flour! Not only are these simple, and gluten-free, but they are a great way to shake things up when it comes to the classic chocolate chip cookie. Be sure to carefully follow the directions of your chosen recipe to ensure your cookies turn out perfectly!

11. Clean Mint Chocolate Chip Icecream

Who would have thought that bananas and spinach could create something so delicious! You can whip up this delicious ice cream flavor in your blender with just a few ingredients. Not only is it packed with so many healthy foods, but it looks just like the real thing!

12. Healthy Chocolate Donuts

You never have to sacrifice the things you love, even when it comes to donuts! Making your own can reduce the calorie count significantly. Spending the time to use quality ingredients can increase the number of healthy things inside your dessert as well as give you different health benefits! Have some fun making some chocolate donuts at home.

13. Soft Pumpkin Cookies

Craving a little taste of fall but not in the mood for a pumpkin pie? These cookies are perfect at any time of the year! Instead of buying cookies from the store bakery, try making these yourself for something simple, delicious, and much healthier.

14. Gooey Cinnamon Rolls

While most people like to opt for Cinnabon, or store-bought rolls, they could save money, time, and calories by making their own at home! Controlling the number of ingredients you use simplifies the baking process as well as reduces the number of calories per roll. Instead of eating caloric rolls, bake your own for something that is equally delicious, and allows you to eat more for the same calorie count!

Which of these alternatives do you want to try first? Comment your top favorite in the comments!

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Tags: Food
Hannah Warren

Hi! My name is Hannah Warren and I just graduated from Mercer University with a B.A. in English. During my time at Mercer, I studied both Creative Writing and Media Studies so I have dabbled in multiple writing genres including fiction, nonfiction, playwriting, and more! Playwrighting and nonfiction are my favorite genres because more people relate to and understand the work when it is raw, genuine, and mentions different problems that most people are familiar with or have experienced first-hand. I have a bad habit of starting projects and not finishing them, but I am proud to say I am drafting a romance novel that I hope to have published one day! Thank you for taking the time to get to know me, and I hope you will continue to read more of my little articles in the future!

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