Dear Friend,

Living a healthy lifestyle doesn't have to mean saying goodbye to dessert. In fact, imposing strict limitations on groups of foods often backfires, leaving us feeling defeated when we inevitably give in to cravings. And sugar cravings can be sneaky! They can stem from insufficient sleep, inadequate protein or fiber intake, stress, or poor gut health. 

To make matters worse, overindulging in sugar has profound consequences ranging from obesity and heart disease to diabetes and aging skin. 

So what’s a girl to do? Fortunately, the notion that desserts have to be laden with harmful sugars is outdated. There are ways to enjoy treats that satisfy our sweet tooth without sending our blood sugar levels on a rollercoaster ride. 

Tips for eating Dessert

• Eat treats at the end of a meal when you have protein, fat, and fiber in your stomach. This helps keep blood sugar spikes to a minimum. 

• Never eat dessert alone on an empty stomach. If an irresistible craving hits in the middle of the day, eat the treat with protein, fat, or fiber or save it for after a meal.

• Choose treats with ingredients that have nutrient value like fruits, nuts, nut butter, or beans. 

• Avoid replacing treats with ones that have artificial sweeteners or added sugars.

• Avoid drinking sugary sodas, coffees, or energy drinks. 

Below are 5 recipes designed to minimize blood sugar spikes while maximizing flavor and taming your sweet tooth. 

1. Chocolate Avocado Mousse

Ingredients

2 ripe avocados

¼ cup unsweetened cacao powder

¼ cup unsweetened almond milk

2 -3 tablespoons of organic maple syrup (adjust to taste) Start with the smallest amount. 

1 teaspoon vanilla extract
A pinch of salt

Instructions: 

Scoop out the flesh from the avocados and place them in a blender or food processor.

 Add cacao powder, almond milk, organic maple syrup, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. 

Blend until smooth and creamy.

Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Garnish with whipped coconut cream, fresh berries, or chopped nuts if desired.

2. Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Ingredients

5 ounces of sugar-free semi-sweet chocolate chips (I like Hu)
1 lb of Fresh ripe strawberries washed
Coconut oil

Instructions

Heat chocolate chips and a dab of coconut oil in a double boiler over low to medium-low heat stirring often. When the chocolate is melted and smooth, remove the boiler pan from heat. 

Thoroughly dry the strawberries then dip the bottom half of the strawberry in the chocolate.
Place the dipped berry on a parchment paper lined sheet pan and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.  

3. Baked Apples with Cinnamon:

 Ingredients:

4 large apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)

2 tablespoons melted coconut oil or butter

1 tablespoon local raw organic honey or organic maple syrup

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

¼ cup chopped nuts (pecans, almonds)

Instructions:

 Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

 Core the apples and place them in a baking dish. 

In a small bowl, mix melted coconut oil or butter, honey or maple syrup, and cinnamon.

 Spoon the mixture into the center of each apple. 

Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the apples are tender. 

Remove from the oven and sprinkle roasted chopped nuts over the baked apples. 

Serve warm, optionally with a dollop of Greek yogurt

 4. Chia Seed Pudding: 

Ingredients:

½ cup chia seeds

2 cups unsweetened almond milk 

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

¼ tsp ground cinnamon

½ to ⅔ cup Frozen fruit 

Instructions:

 In a bowl, mix chia seeds, almond milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and frozen fruit of choice. 

Stir well to combine.

 Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight, allowing the chia seeds to absorb the liquid and thicken.

 Stir the pudding before serving.

 Top with chopped nuts or seeds.

5. Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream

Ingredients

3 frozen bananas

3 tbsp of  organic, peanut butter with 2 or fewer ingredients

½ tsp vanilla extract pinch of salt

Instructions:
Detxoinistas Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream

 With these five dessert recipes, you can indulge in sweet treats without worrying about your blood sugar levels. From creamy avocado chocolate mousse to wholesome Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream, there's something for every craving. Enjoy these guilt-free desserts as part of a balanced diet, and savor each bite knowing you're taking care of your health and well-being. See more recipes in Dig Deeper.