Do you have a sweet tooth but are trying to eat healthier? It’s difficult to eat healthy when you don’t have a healthier option accessible, and it’s so easy to open up a candy bar or a pint of ice cream. Time to ditch our old friends Ben & Jerry—here are five healthier alternatives when you’re craving a sweet treat.
Ditch the caramel apple……Try Dates instead!
The only ingredients you need are apples, dates, peanut butter, and chocolate. Instead of using caramel, dates are the perfect natural alternative. Their rich, chewy texture, and natural sweetness make them a great swap and taste just as good. Start by blending your pitted dates with some peanut butter until they form a thick, caramel-like paste. After slicing your apples, drizzle on the date mixture, dip your apples, and top with a sprinkle of sea salt or crushed nuts for extra flavor. This treat gives you all the indulgence of a caramel apple but with fiber, vitamins, and no artificial sugar. Read more about the recipe here!
Ditch the Ben & Jerrys……Try Yasso Bars instead!
Yasso bars are greek yogurt based ice cream bars that only have 80 calories per bar, plus four grams of protein. If you’re like me, once you open a pint, you’re probably not going to put it down until every last bite is gone. There’s nothing wrong with consuming the Ben and Jerry’s Tonight Dough that we all love, however, Yasso offers a great alternative to curb those binge habits but also keep the sweet tooth. Whether you like pistachio, chocolate, or peanut butter, with over 10 different flavors to choose from, Yasso bars are exactly what you need. Read more on Yasso!
Ditch the sour candy……Try frozen grapes instead!
It is so easy to go to your nearest convenience store and get your favorite sour candy. But, did you know it is even easier to make sour grapes? All you need is some lemons, grapes, and a little bit of sugar. Once you get your grapes, rinse them off and make sure they are completely dry, then put them in a container with a lid. Squeeze a couple lemons, sprinkle some sugar, and shake it up. Keep the grapes in your freezer for at least 12 hours to fully freeze so that you have a crunchy, sweet treat to fulfill your cravings! Read more on Bon Appetit.
Ditch the chocolate…….Try peanut butter chocolate covered frozen bananas instead!
If you love Tru Fru, you can easily make your own at home with 3 simple steps. Grab some bananas, melt some peanut butter and chocolate, then get to dipping. Slice bananas into bite-sized pieces, dip them in melted peanut butter, and then coat them in melted chocolate. Freeze them until solid, and you have a creamy, chocolatey snack that feels like dessert but is full of fiber, protein and natural sweetness. Read more here!
Ditch the store bought granola bars……Try making your own no-bake energy bites!
Store-bought granola bars can be packed with added sugars, but homemade energy bites are just as convenient and so much better for you. All you need is a base of oats, nut butter, honey, and your favorite add-ins like chocolate chips, chia seeds, or dried fruit. Mix everything together, roll into bite-sized balls, and chill in the fridge. They’re easy to make, require no baking, and are the perfect grab-and-go snack to keep you energized throughout the day! Read more on Gimme Some Oven. Want more? Read this article from Healthline for more healthy dessert alternatives.