Sunday, February 26, 2012

How To Keep Dessert Calories Low

For some of us, we try so hard to eat healthy and have an active lifestyle. But many people believe in order to stay healthy and fit you have to avoid certain types of foods completely. This isn’t necessarily true, especially when it comes to eating desserts. With birthdays, wedding season, and just plain sweets cravings, it is really hard to swear off chocolate or other kinds of sweets. The secret is to avoid overloading on calories, fat, and sugar, and adding a little creativity.

The key to adding desserts to your diet is moderation, moderation, moderation! If you’re are going to reach for a dessert, get something small such as a scoop of frozen yogurt, a few pieces of chocolate, or even a slice of pie. Of course, this is easier said then done because some things just taste so good. A good tip is to not eat out of a carton or bag because it is hard to control the amount that you consume. Also, when buying ice cream, opt for fruit bars or low fat ice cream bars (they taste the same I promise) such as skinny cow or slow churned ice cream. If you are a chocolate person, go for dark chocolate because it has healthful benefits and lower calories than milk or white chocolate. Chocolate covered almonds are a great snack to keep at your desk or in your purse when you need a little pick me up.

Another great way to keep dessert calories low and still taste great is to make it yourself. With cookies, opt to use half white whole-wheat flour and half regular flour to lower the calories. Also, instead of butter use a light corn-oil or canola-oil spread, or even a butter used with canola oil. They work just the same and help to cut out a little of the fat. Cinnamon is also a great ingredient, and essentially Mother Nature’s gift to us. It is a healthy and light ingredient that makes great cookies as well as a great additive to any treat.  What is even better is that all of these ingredients can be found at stores such as Trader Joe’s, Sprout’s, Whole Foods, or even your local grocery store. If you need any help finding recipes for great treats you can visit websites such as Goodhouskeeping, The Food Network website, and numerous other blogs. So never again will you feel guilty to indulge in a little dessert.

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