The 5 Healthiest Desserts That Dietitians Swear By

“Would you like to see the dessert menu?” — no meal is complete without hearing those words. For some people, it’s not even a question, as they’re scarfing down a plate of chocolate lava cake in the blink of an eye. For others, it’s a constant struggle between eating healthy and satisfying one’s sweet tooth. But what if there were a way to enjoy dessert without compromising your diet? There are many healthy choices that dietitians swear by, and best of all, they’re still loaded with decadent goodness. So the next time you’re whipping up a sweet treat at home, here are five healthy options.

“Nice” Cream

Nice cream is an increasingly popular ice cream alternative that lacks processed sugar and dairy, yet is still packed with flavor. You’ll need a blender and some bananas to get started. Peel three ripened bananas and place them in the freezer — the more ripe, the sweeter the dessert. Once fully frozen, slice the bananas into one-inch pieces, put them in the blender, and mix until smooth like custard. Then, place the mixture back into the freezer for an hour to develop a firmer consistency before you eat it. You’ll be amazed at how much the natural sweetness and creamy texture mimic traditional ice cream — but without any unhealthy sugars or fats.

If you’re not a fan of bananas, you can also use fruits like mango, peaches, or cantaloupe to serve as the base of this dish. However, bananas produce a texture that resembles normal ice cream most closely and contains a variety of critical nutrients. Each banana is high in fiber, aiding digestion, and they’re loaded with potassium that helps lower blood pressure levels. You can also top each bowl of nice cream with some fresh fruit or even a bit of cinnamon or chopped mint for that added flavor.

Dark Chocolate Hummus

Dark chocolate contains essential nutrients such as iron, magnesium, and potassium, and it’s also loaded with antioxidants that lower cholesterol and make you feel happier. Chickpeas contain high amounts of tryptophan, which lessens anxiety levels and combats depression. Together, these superfoods make a tasty bowl of dark chocolate hummus — a sweeter alternative to the savory hummuses common in many Mediterranean restaurants.

Drain and rinse a can of chickpeas to start your dark chocolate hummus. Then add 1-½ cups of the chickpeas to a blender with ¼ cup cocoa powder, ¼ cup peanut butter for added smoothness, and ¼ maple syrup for a bit of sweetness. Blend the mixture until smooth, adding a few tablespoons of water along the way to achieve that perfect consistency. Then serve with apple slices, fresh berries, or any other healthy side for dipping.

Chia Pudding

Chia seeds are a fiber-heavy ingredient that improves heart health, digestion, and reduces cholesterol. They’re also loaded with omega-3 fatty acids that lessen inflammation and may help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, and more. So what better way to enjoy these healthy and delicious seeds than in a bowl of chia pudding, which is far better for you than the sugar-packed single-serve puddings you’d find at the supermarket?

Mix four tablespoons of white or black chia seeds with a cup of almond or coconut milk. Then add maple syrup, vanilla extract, or another sweetener. Let the mixture sit for five minutes, and then stir one final time to break up any clumps of chia seeds, before letting the bowl sit in the fridge for an hour or two. This is great to do right before you start cooking dinner, as it’ll be ready after you finish your entree. Finally, remove the pudding and enjoy it as a post-dinner delight.

Black Bean Brownies

The flour used in most brownies contains starch that contributes to ailments such as heart disease and diabetes. That’s why flourless brownies are an excellent alternative, especially ones that use black beans as their base. Black beans are rich in nutrients that increase bone health, lower blood pressure, and contain plenty of fiber that helps avoid heart disease. Best of all, black bean brownies are nearly indistinguishable from sugary and fatty brownie recipes, so you can enjoy that same taste without the negative effects.

To make this sweet treat, begin by mixing together all the ingredients in a blender: 1-½ cup rinsed black beans, 2 tablespoons of heart-healthy cocoa powder, ½ cup of oats, ¼ teaspoon of salt, ½ teaspoon baking powder, ½ cup maple syrup, ¼ cup coconut oil and 2 tablespoons of vanilla extract. Once smooth, add ½ cup of dark chocolate chips and stir together. Pour the mixture into a baking pan, cook at 350°F for 15 minutes, then let the brownies cool for ten minutes more. Wait until after eating to tell your guests that you used black beans instead of flour, and watch their jaws drop!

Greek Yogurt Parfait

Greek yogurt parfaits are essentially a blank canvas for the culinary artist within all of us and are one of the healthiest desserts that anyone can whip up in just a few minutes. Begin with your favorite plain Greek yogurt, an ingredient loaded with probiotics that aid in gut health. Greek yogurt also contains essential minerals that help reduce inflammation, as well as iodine, which promotes proper thyroid function.

Once you’ve prepared a bowl of yogurt, it’s time to select from a seemingly endless list of delicious toppings. Chopped berries add some natural sweetness, granola is full of fiber and creates a delightful crunchy texture, and honey or maple syrup can provide sweetness. You can even slather on a bit of your favorite nut butter for added creaminess. The sky’s the limit with Greek yogurt parfaits, which are some of the most delicious and healthy desserts imaginable.