You can satisfy your sweet tooth without sacrificing your healthy lifestyle.
I am a huge fan of the 80/20 rule for healthy eating. 80% of the time you are eating clean and nutrient dense foods, 20% of the time you are still mindful of your eating but you should feel no guilt for enjoying that juicy burger or ice cream sundae. Food restriction leads to a negative relationship with food; the 80/20 rule promotes the idea that you can enjoy the foods you love in moderation and still lead a healthy lifestyle. Knowing you can occasionally indulge will make you more motivated to stick to healthy habits at other times.
However, we all have those moments when our sweet tooth seems to take over while we are trying to stick to that 80%. We’ve compiled 5 recipes to help satisfy your sweet tooth without putting you off track.
No Bake Energy Bites
These energy bites are loaded with antioxidant from the flax seed + chia seeds, have just the right amount of sweetness and offer the perfect combo of sweet + salty. Did I mention they are only 100 calories per ball?!
Ingredients:
1 cup old fashioned oats
2/3 cup toasted coconut flakes
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup ground flax seeds
1/2 cup semisweet or dark chocolate chips
1/3 cup honey or agave nectar
1 tbsp chia seeds
1 tsp vanilla extract
Directions:
Stir all ingredients together in a medium bowl until thoroughly mixed.
Cover and let chill in the refrigerator for half an hour.
Once chilled, roll into about 1 inch balls.
Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 1 week.
Easy Chocolate Mug Cake
Chocolate cake that is a single serving (portion control), made in the microwave (convenience) + packed with antioxidants (#healthy). It’s everything your sweet tooth needs packed into a mug.
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp coconut flour
- 1 tsp ground flaxseed
- 1 tsp chia seeds
- 2 tsp sugar substitute
- 1 tsp instant coffee
- 1 ounce unsweetened chocolate (melted)
- 4 tbsps egg whites
- 1 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp dark chocolate chips
- Whipped Cream (optional)
Directions:
- Combine dry ingredients in a small bowl.
- Melt chocolate in microwave in another small bowl (This usually takes about 40 seconds, but be careful not to overcook.)
- Add egg whites and water to dry ingredients; stir. Then, stir in melted chocolate.
- Microwave 1 1/2 minutes (be careful not to overcook of cake will be dry)
- Top with chocolate chips while still warm. Let cool slightly, then top with whipped cream, if desired.
Yield: 1 serving
Recipe Courtesy of Healthy Aperture
Banana Soft Serve
Let’s be real, nothing beats old-fashioned ice cream but this banana soft serve may be in the running. It’s lactose free, easy to make + you can get creative with the mix-ins. (cookies n cream, cookie dough, vanilla extract, chocolate, PB etc.)
Ingredients:
- 2 Ripe Bananas, peeled + frozen
- 2-3 Tbsp. Almond Milk
- Mix-ins of your choice
Directions:
- Blend bananas and almond milk
- Add mix-ins + enjoy!
Yield: 2 Servings
Apple Pie Oatmeal
Oatmeal isn’t just for breakfast anymore! This oatmeal has all the flavors + warmth of apple pie without all the calories. Perfect for a post dinner dessert on a chilly night.
Ingredients:
1 medium apple, cored and roughly chopped
½ cup unsweetened apple juice
½ tsp. vanilla extract
¼ tsp. ground cinnamon
2 tsp. brown sugar
Pinch of salt
1 cup rolled oats
1 ½ cups unsweetened almond milk
2 tbsp. chopped walnuts
Directions:
Combine the apple, apple juice, vanilla, cinnamon, brown sugar, and salt in a small pot over high heat.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook until the apples are soft and the juice has reduced by about half, 4 to 5 minutes.
Add the remaining ingredients + turn the heat to medium-high.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the oats are cooked and the mixture is thick.
Serve immediately.
Yield: 2 servings
Recipe Courtesy of Buzzfeed
Cinnamon Sugar Crisps
Cinnamon + sugar make a great pair. The crunchiness and sweetness of these wonton crisps help to your sweet tooth. They make a great dessert after a yummy tex-mex meal.
Ingredients:
- 32 (3.5 inch square) wonton wrappers
- 1 1/2 tbsp. margarine, melted
- 3 tbsp. cinnamon sugar
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
- Lay the wonton wrappers out flat on a baking sheet. Brush evenly with melted margarine.
- Sprinkle 1/4 tsp of cinnamon sugar over the top of each one.
- Bake for 5 minutes in the preheated oven, or until crisp.
- Remove from baking sheets to cool on wire racks.
Whenever you feel a craving coming on during your 80% try one of these yummy + easy recipes.
Equip | Encourage | Empower 