Can Dessert Be Healthy? It's Possible!
By Genevieve Cunningham
Many would argue that dessert is the best meal of the day. Of course we all know that dessert isn't actually a meal, but it's what many look forward to. It's the satisfying touch of sweet that we need to end the day. Unfortunately, dessert isn't a very healthy choice. In fact, many skip it altogether because it doesn't fit into their healthy lifestyle. But does it actually have to be this way? Or can dessert be healthy? If you love dessert and want to keep it in your diet in a healthy way, take a look at these tips for improving the nutritional content of dessert.
It's All in the Ingredients
Most unhealthy foods can be made healthy by switching ingredients. Instead of using sugar to sweeten your dish, you may have to use applesauce or carrot juice or another alternative. Instead of white flour, you may have to use another kind. When we change the ingredients, the flavor will change a bit as well, but we can get used to it. Changing out ingredients for healthier alternatives is a good way to literally have your cake and eat it too.
Adjust Your Attitude
We often think of dessert as cake or brownies or other overly sweet baked goods. But dessert can be all kinds of things, and if we adjust our attitude, we can enjoy dessert every single night! Instead of cake, choose fruit with a dash of whipped cream. Instead of brownies, choose one square of dark chocolate. Dessert is simply a sweet dessert to finish off the meal. While it can certainly be cake and cookies if you want it to be, your mouth will be just as grateful for a bit of fruit or another healthy sweet alternative.
Plan Ahead
If you really don't want to give up dessert, just plan ahead. No, you won't be able to eat it every night, but you may be able to plan it into your caloric consumption every Sunday. Or maybe you can enjoy dessert twice per week with just a handful of alternative ingredients. Planning for those calories and the extra sugar is the key. When you plan ahead, you can negate some of the negative side effects and enjoy the dessert you love on occasion.
Dessert is delicious. We love it! Of course, it's no secret that it's not the healthiest option on the menu. Use these tips to keep dessert in your life, and you can satisfy your sweet tooth while maintaining a healthy diet all at the same time.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Whittier, Calif.