For many of us, improving our health by dieting is a repeat goal. More often than not, however, it’s one that we either never manage to reach, or we reach it but then drift back into our old ways.

The fact is, 30-60% of dieters regain more weight than they lost after failing with their diets. If this has happened to you, it’s most likely because your diet was too restrictive. Instead of learning to make healthier desserts, for example, you attempted to cut them out entirely.

The key to success is not to diet at all, but to make permanent lifestyle changes. And we’re here to help you take the first step. 

Listed below are some of the best tips for how to make desserts healthier. By using them, you can indulge in your favorite treats without ruining your progress.

1. Make Your Desserts Yourself

The snack aisle at the grocery store is loaded with brightly colored packages of ready-made cakes and cookies. Believe it or not, these options are scientifically engineered to be addictive, meaning they’re filled with as much sugar as possible. 

Because of this, one of the most effective steps you can take toward enjoying healthy desserts is to make them yourself. Keep in mind that this doesn’t mean preparing a cake from a box of “just add water” mix; it means baking from scratch.

In doing so, you have complete control over what goes into your dessert and what doesn’t. You can make substitutions to cut down on sugar content and calories while avoiding the chemicals and other additives in boxed options.

2. Use Sugar Substitutes

When it comes to food choices, few things are worse for us than refined white sugar. Luckily, there are a wide variety of substitutes that are both lower in calories and have a lower glycemic index. This means that rather than causing a blood sugar spike followed by a crash, they keep your blood sugar at a steady level.

The most common sugar substitutes are maple syrup and honey. If you use maple syrup, however, you have to choose natural options, as many popular brands are essentially liquid refined sugar.

You can also use whole, unrefined cane sugar, brown muscovado sugar, agave syrup, or cereal syrups. Each of these options has a higher level of sweetness than white sugar, meaning you can use less of it.

Last, you might be surprised how much sweetness fruit can add to your favorite desserts! Making brownies with fruit in them, for example, will allow you to add less sugar and achieve the same level of sweetness that you’re used to.

3. Swap Milk Chocolate With Dark Chocolate

Who doesn’t love chocolate chip cookies and chocolate cake? Chocolate is a favorite treat for many – and not a bad choice if you pick the right kind!

Milk chocolate is more processed than dark. During this processing, much of the nutrients and cocoa are removed to be replaced by milk and sugar. Unfortunately, cocoa solids contain all the nutrients in chocolate.

The more cocoa, the more antioxidants, iron, fiber, and zinc in the chocolate. For maximum benefits, choose a bar of dark chocolate with a cocoa content of 70% or higher.

4. Use Apple Sauce Instead of Oil

Along with sugar, oil can drastically raise the caloric density of your favorite desserts. That’s why one of the best baking swaps you can make is to use apple sauce instead of oil. Don’t worry, if anything, this will make your treats even tastier.

It’s best to allow your taste buds to acclimate to your new choices over time. Instead of switching straight to unsweetened applesauce, start with a sweetened option, then lessen the sugar over time. 

Or, even better, make your own applesauce! It’s easier than you might think. All you need are apples, a dash of cinnamon, and a few dates. The dates will add sweetness without the need for sugar. A jar or two of pre-made applesauce in your fridge can provide a nutritious snack as well as a healthy baking ingredient.

5. Replace Cow’s Milk With Vegetable Drinks

When you’re drinking milk from a glass, you might be able to tell the difference between cow’s milk and a vegetable drink such as soy milk. But when you use these ingredients in baking, no one will ever know.

There are tons of options available: rice milk, oat milk, almond milk, just to name a few. Don’t be afraid to try different varieties until you find one you enjoy. If you hate the taste of quinoa milk, for instance, don’t force yourself to drink it.

6. Ditch Processed White Flour

Like white sugar, white flour is far more processed than whole wheat alternatives. By choosing whole wheat or almond flour instead of white wheat flour, you’ll boost your fiber and protein intake. Not to mention, you’ll be making your desserts friendlier for those with gluten intolerance.

Now, almond flour does impart a distinct taste. If you don’t like the taste of almonds, stick to whole wheat flour. Remember, with any baking swaps that you make, you should enjoy the alternative. Desserts should still be delicious, even when you’re using healthier ingredients.

Indulge Guilt-Free by Learning to Make Healthier Desserts

When your goal is to make permanent improvements to your health, moderation is key. There’s nothing wrong with having a brownie or a slice of cake now and then, but by learning to make healthier desserts, you can indulge more often.

There’s no overnight solution to weight loss or fitness. Taking small steps toward your overall health is how you achieve long-term success.

Interested in learning more about improving your health and nutrition without extreme restriction? Take a look at our blog!