We've all gotten that feeling after dinner where we have a strong craving for something sweet. Some of us reach for ice cream, while others go for the cookies. That can be perfectly healthy (as long as you stick to 1 or fewer servings, and it isn't every night) however, consider this: Did you eat your 3-5 servings of fruit today? Or your 3 servings of dairy? By including fruit and low fat dairy in your dessert, you can feel better all around. Ahem! No, I don't mean strawberry ice cream, or oatmeal raisin cookies.
Pears & Yogurt (excuse me, but I have not named this recipe yet….suggestions anyone?)
You'll need:
- 1 pear (or apple) thinly sliced and cored
- 1/2 cup low fat or non fat Greek yogurt (I like plain, or plain mixed with vanilla flavored yogurt)
- 1-2 dashes of cinnamon*
- 1 microwave
To do:
Microwave the sliced fruit in a serving bowl for 1 minute on high. Separately, mix the yogurt with the cinnamon. (I like to serve the fruit and yogurt side-by-side and dip each spoonful of pears into the yogurt.)
This dessert has healthy fiber, calcium, and protein in addition to many other nutrients. (Can your dessert do that?)
*I recently invested in some high quality Vietnamese cinnamon, and love it! What a difference it makes. I bought mine @ www.Penzeys.com*
Hot Chocolate
You'll need:
- 1 cup low fat or fat free milk
- 1 Tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- Dash of salt (optional)
To do:
Heat milk on stove or in microwave until hot (be careful not to scald, or burn it). Mix in the other ingredients until dissolved.
I love hot chocolate for dessert because it's a great way to satisfy a sweet tooth and a chocolate craving, while getting in a serving of low fat dairy. So easy!
Now I'm only human (surprise!) and I know these desserts might not always cut it. So, if you have a deep craving for a certain dessert (ex. a brownie), go eat a sensible portion of that brownie….or else:
- You might think about your craving for the rest of the week, and come Friday (for example) you might just eat an entire box of brownies. Major backfire.
- You will try to satisfy your craving by eating anything BUT the brownie (including a yogurt, a banana, a granola bar, and a pudding) only to realize you are quite full, but still craving the brownie.
Marina Bedrossian is a Northport, NY dietitian nutritionist who helps people with holistic nutrition solutions and food sensitivities. Visit this page to schedule an appointment and don’t forget to join the private Facebook group “Ingredients For Healthy Families” more information here.