Eating a healthy dessert doesn't have to break the bank. While
it's true that Twinkies and Ding-Dongs do cost less (in dollars)
than quality healthy foods, the cost to our health is truly
frightening!
Follow these tips for low-cost healthy desserts:
1) Try fruit. Full of natural sugars, and naturally fat free,
fruit is a great dessert choice. Fresh kiwi, apples, pears,
plums and oranges can all be found for about 50 cents per
serving.
2) Fat-free pudding costs only 79 cents per box and is quite low
in calories.
3) Mix one cup of fat-free yogurt with 1/2 cup of frozen berries
for an inexpensive and healthy dessert alternative. A cup of
yogurt is usually about 45 cents, while a 1 pound bag of frozen
berries sells for only $2 (that's 33 cents per serving).
4) Fat-free and sugar-free Jell-O is very inexpensive (about 40
cents per box) and boasts only 5 calories per serving.
5) Mix it up! Combine the healthy Jell-O with some canned fruit,
or top with non-fat dairy whipped topping (about 99 cents per 16
oz. container).
6) Fat-free and/or sugar-free frozen yogurt tastes quite good,
and with only a fraction of the calories you'll find in ice
cream. Remember that a "serving size" is only a 1/2 cup.
7) If you choose to skip dessert altogether, try brushing your
teeth immediately after the meal. This will help eliminate the
craving for sweets.
8) Try sugar-free chewing gum for dessert. This option will
satisfy your sweet tooth while protecting your waistline.
9) If dining in a restaurant, try ordering just one dessert and
splitting it. You'll save 1/2 the calories, 1/2 the fat, and 1/2
the money.
10) As a last ditch attempt to resist dessert, tell yourself
that you WILL have that dessert - right after you complete a 1/2
hour walk. Right after dinner go out for a 1/2 hour walk. If you
still feel like eating dessert when you return, then you can do
so knowing that at least you've had some good exercise.
About the author:
Tracie Johanson is the founder of Pick Up The Pace, a 30-minute
exercise studio for women focusing on fitness, health and
nutrition for maximum weight loss. Please visit
http://www.letspickupthepace.com/ for more information.
