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Wait–there are desserts that can help with weight loss?! Yup! It turns out there are plenty of waistline-friendly sweets and treats out there, meaning that they’re low in calories and contain very little sugar and fat. Some are even made with metabolism-boosting ingredients to help combat cravings and burn calories. The secret is enjoying them in moderation!
“I find that when little indulgences like chocolate are allowed, it makes it that much easier to stick to healthy meals,” Brooke Alpert, RD, author of The Diet Detox, tells Health.com.
Keep scrolling to find some of our favorite, nutritionist-approved dessert recipes that will help you lose weight:
The Ultimate Healthy Carrot Cake
Most carrot cakes have a full-fat cream cheese frosting but this recipe uses healthy, Greek yogurt and Greek cream cheese instead for a protein boost. With vitamin-A rich carrots and antioxidant-rich cinnamon and nutmeg, this is one of the healthiest desserts you can eat!
Ingredients:
For the cake:
2 ¼ cups (270g) whole wheat or gluten-free* flour (measured like this)
2 ¼ tsp baking powder
¾ tsp baking soda
2 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
¾ tsp ground nutmeg
½ tsp salt
2 tbsp (28g) coconut oil or unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
3 large egg whites, room temperature
1 tbsp (15mL) vanilla extract
½ cup (120g) plain nonfat Greek yogurt
¼ cup (60mL) pure maple syrup
1 ¼ tsp vanilla stevia
¾ cup (180mL) nonfat milk
2 ½ cups (265g) freshly grated carrots (about 4-5 medium, peeled first!)
For the frosting:
1 cup (240g) plain nonfat Greek yogurt
1 (8oz) block Greek yogurt cream cheese, softened
1 ¼ tsp vanilla stevia
This dessert is perfect for nights when you're craving something sweet. Plus, you'll be getting a healthy supply of metabolism-boosting dietary fiber and vitamins (A & C) from the peaches!
Ingredients:
3 peaches, pitted and halved
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon honey
This creamy, fruity, frozen dessert is a healthy option compared to regular ice cream. The recipe calls for 5 simple ingredients!
Ingredients:
~5 cups fresh raspberries
1 cup water
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Chocolate lovers who are dieting can now have their cake and eat it too! These brownies are only 37 calories! They also contain fiber-rich rolled oats and antioxidant-rich cocoa powder.
Ingredients:
3/4 cup nonfat Greek yogurt
1/4 cup skim milk
1/2 cup Cocoa powder
1/2 cup Old fashioned rolled oats
1/2 cup Truvia Baking Blend (or any natural/Stevia-based sweetener that pours like sugar)
1 egg
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 pinch salt
Not only is this recipe super easy to make, but it's also low in calories and gives your metabolism a boost. You can make your apple nachos even healthier by adding nutrient-rich toppings like blueberries, seeds, and nuts!
Ingredients:
½ cup low-fat vanilla yogurt
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 medium apples, sliced or spiralized with the thick ribbon blade (about 5 cups)
2 tablespoons honey, divided
2 tablespoons finely chopped bittersweet chocolate or bittersweet chocolate chips, melted
¼ cup granola, divided
½ cup blueberries, divided
Healthy Energy Bites with Dates, Apricots, Cashews, & Coconut
These healthy energy bites are simple to make and contain plenty of weight-loss-friendly fruits and proteins. We love them because they make for the perfect sweet snack!
Ingredients:
2 cups raw unsalted cashew nuts
1 cup dried apricots
1/3 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
1/4 cup chopped dates
Zest from 1 orange {~ 1 teaspoon}
Zest from 1 lemon {~1 teaspoon}
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon salt
