Treat Yourself with Healthier Indulgences

If you’re intentionally shifting to healthy eating, you might fear giving up your favorite sweet treats. But what if we told you eating healthy doesn’t mean you have to ditch dessert? Use these tips to treat yourself to healthier indulgences that satisfy both your sweet tooth and healthy eating goals.

Boost Fiber
Increasing fiber in desserts improves digestion and keeps hunger and blood sugar levels in check. Use these ideas to create more fiber-filled desserts.

> Swap whole wheat flour for all-purpose flour, or experiment with gluten-free varieties like almond flour that also require a 1:1 ratio. Keep in mind alternative flours may need more moisture for binding.

> Offering a great source of protein and fiber, chickpeas make a surprising addition to treats like brownie batter dessert hummus. You can also add them to cookie recipes like our Chickpea Pumpkin Sea Salt Cookies recipe.

Add Heart-Smart Fats
Unsaturated fats help improve blood cholesterol levels, ease inflammation and play several other beneficial roles. Treat yourself to a boost of heart-smart fats with these tips.

> From walnuts and almonds to pistachios and pecans, nuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and perfect for stirring into cookie, brownie or quick bread batters. Or, sprinkle them over any dessert for extra crunch.

> Chia seeds and ground flaxseeds contain plenty of heart-healthy fats and go undetected when mixed into muffins or scones.

> Replace butter, ghee or vegetable oil in desserts with olive oil for an instant uptick in health benefits.

Incorporate Fruit
With natural sugars, fruit makes a healthy and easy addition to dessert. Get your sweet fix with way less sugar using these fruit-forward dessert ideas.

> Combine bananas with HERSHEY’S® Cocoa to make Homemade Chocolate-Banana Froyo.

> Purée avocados with bananas, nut milk and cocoa to make Avocado-Chocolate Mousse.

> Add fruit to a dessert pizza made with cream cheese, ricotta, berries, kiwi and peaches.

> Mix mango, coconut milk and yogurt to make refreshing, fruity ice pops!

> Vegetables also pump up the nutrition of any dessert – try adding shredded zucchini to cookie batter to make Chocolate-Chocolate Zucchini Cookies. Trust us; you won’t even taste a difference!