Probably the hardest part about weight loss is cutting back on cravings and finding healthy substitutes. Making the change from potato chips to apple slices with nut butter when snacking can be very tricky. The same goes for desserts. Thankfully, when you swap out your coveted Girl Scout Cookies, there are healthy dessert options that can still satisfy your sweet tooth!
To learn more about the best desserts for weight loss, we spoke with Johna Burdeos, a registered dietitian and health writer, Dana Ellis Hunnes, PhD, MPH, RD, a senior dietitian at UCLA medical center, assistant professor at UCLA Fielding school of public health and author of Recipe for Survival, Joanna Wen, a certified weight loss coach with Spices & Greens, Megan Roosevelt, a registered dietitian and nutritionist, founder of HealthyGroceryGirl, and Laura Ali, a registered dietitian. They told us that frozen grapes, parfaits, and vegan chocolate chip cookies are the healthiest desserts for weight loss because they are both high in nutrients and low in calories. Read on to find out more!
Frozen Grapes
One refreshing, sweet, and healthy dessert are frozen grapes. This tasty treat is incredibly low-calorie. One cup of grapes, which is about 92 grams, provides 62 calories, 0.6g of protein, 16g of carbohydrates, and 0.3g of fat. They're also anti-inflammatory and can help with age-related beauty issues. You can use both red or green grapes. So, not only are they healthy but they taste just like candy! All you have to do is wash them, put them in containers, and freeze them overnight.
Parfaits
Another delicious and healthy dessert you can still eat while trying to lose weight is parfaits. Parfaits usually consist of yogurt, granola, nuts, and fruits. Greek yogurt, Ali says, is not only ideal for losing weight but also for your bone and heart health. "Calcium triggers our heart muscle to contract, pumping blood through our body," she explains. "Research has shown that people that eat 5 or more servings of yogurt a week have a significantly reduced risk of high blood pressure than those who ate it less than once a month." Yum!
And, you can top off your parfait with almonds for added weight loss benefits. Wen notes that almonds "are rich in healthy fats and proteins that promote good metabolism." And, you can also add blueberries to your parfaits which are full of collagen and antioxidants.
"Berries are low in calories at about 32 to 57 calories for a 100-gram serving (depending on the berry), making them a good low-calorie food to add to the diet especially if you're trying to lose weight," Burdeos explains.
Hunnes also suggests adding bananas to your yogurt to help boost your metabolism and lose weight. "Less-ripe bananas can also be a good choice because of their resistant starch, and when they're greener their carbs take longer to digest and [absorb]," she says. "They're good for the microbiome (bacteria in the GI tract). That can help with weight loss and overall calorie intake." This fruit has a high fiber content. Almonds, blueberries, and bananas make great additions to parfaits!
Gluten-Free Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies
Finally, gluten-free vegan chocolate chip cookies are another healthy dessert you can make and still lose weight. Instead of eggs and dairy, this kind of cookie offers vegan, plant-based butter which is lower in saturated fat and higher in heart-healthy monounsaturated fat, compared with regular butter or margarine (which experts say you should avoid at all costs!). "My go-to dessert is a homemade chocolate chip cookie, which I love because it reminds me of simpler times when my mom would have cookies waiting for me after school. Plus they just taste delicious! I make a batch of these cookies about once a month," Roosevelt notes. "While cookies, in general, are not a health food, our recipe includes real, whole ingredients that we feel good about, as well as dark chocolate chips for a boost of antioxidants."
So there you have it! Three healthy dessert choices you can have and still lose weight. Instead of opting for brownies and cake, which are high in calories and unnecessary sugar, opt for frozen grapes, a parfait, or gluten-free vegan chocolate chip cookies! You can still satisfy sweet cravings without sacrificing your weight loss goals.
