Try as you might to avoid sugar and sweets, sometimes, it seems like these cravings are unavoidable. Though you might be tempted to ignore your cravings, you should know that treating yourself to something sweet isn’t all bad – in fact, in moderation, it can be a healthy way to reward yourself for sticking to your healthy diet. This is even truer if you swap your favorite chocolate chip cookies and ice cream for healthier alternatives.
To inspire you with healthy – yet sweet— ideas, here are 3 examples of what nutritionists eat when they have a sugar craving.
Baked Apple
Fans of apple pie will go wild for baked apples, a healthier alternative to the dessert that still packs all the same flavors. Lemon, cinnamon, and cocoa powders add an antioxidant boost to naturally high fiber apples. Simply top a cored Granny Smith apple with lemon, cinnamon, and cocoa powder, pop it into the oven for 25 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit, and finish it with a dollop of plain yogurt.
PB&J Sandwich
A peanut butter and jelly sandwich can deliver all of the goodness of your favorite sweet treat, while also adding nutritional value. In fact, this go-to sandwich includes a hefty dose of protein and fiber, when served on whole-wheat bread. Make it even healthier by swapping peanut butter for almond butter and white bread for multigrain.
Oatmeal with Berries and Nuts
Start your day with sweetness when you whip up a bowl of oatmeal with fresh raspberries, chopped dates, roasted organic hazelnuts, and/or mini dark chocolate chips. Serve this for breakfast – or any time of day – for an instant energy boost. Oats have a lot of fiber that supports digestion, while hazelnuts add healthy fats, and dark chocolate offers antioxidants.
Inspiration can come from anywhere – just ask the team at Oxford at Santa Clara in Pflugerville, Texas. By passing along this information, we hope to inspire you with new ideas, projects, and goals, too.