Here's the thing about low-calorie desserts: They don't have a black-and-white definition. Because all bodies are different and require varying caloric intakes, what's considered low-calorie for one person may not be for someone else. However, if you came here looking for specific dessert parameters, there are two basic rules you can follow.
"I recommend treating dessert just like any other snack you may have, and aiming to keep it to about 10% of your total daily calories," says Erin Palinski-Wade, R.D., C.D.C.E.S, a New Jersey-based dietitian and author of 2 Day Diabetes Diet. For example, if your goal is to eat 2,000 calories per day, you may want to keep dessert around 200 calories.
"This can mean adding in more protein, healthy fats, and vitamins and minerals from other foods besides just sugar," she says. Traditional low-calorie desserts can leave some people wanting more, and if that's you, it's best "to focus on food quality over just calories."
Even then, there will be days when you just feel like indulging in some good 'ole ice cream. And survey says, you can do that too. "All foods can fit into a healthy diet," says Davis. "Restriction can lead to feelings of deprivation and subsequent cravings which for some, may even trigger overeating." She adds that demonizing certain foods also leads to guilt and shame, which can damage your mental health. "One dessert doesn't make you unhealthy," she says. "Your overall intake is what matters the most."
So, when in doubt, enjoy your dessert! Just balance it with nutrient rich foods throughout the day, says Palinski-Wade. "And if you love dessert and want to enjoy it more than occasionally, there are ways to make it lower in calories and more nutritious with a few simple swaps," she adds, such as replacing butter with avocado at a one-to-one ratio or trading added sugar for pureed fruit.
Those tips and more are outlined in the below dessert recipes, which are already dietitian-approved and range from about 100 to 300 calories. All you have to do is choose one to make and enjoy!
1Chewy Chocolate-Walnut Cookies
At 210 calories per serving, if you're trying to be strict, you could halve one of these when a sweet tooth arrives (or, you know, just enjoy the full cookie!). The best part about is they're made of simple ingredients: cocoa powder, eggs, chocolate chips, walnuts, and sugar.
This treat has a little bit of everything: texture, moisture, bright and earthy flavors—and most importantly, it pairs perfectly with a hot cup of coffee.
These protein-packed, nutrient-dense cookies are satisfying and delicious. And if you make one batch, you'll have dessert (or breakfast!) for a week. They come in at 290 calories, since they're made with breakfast in mind.
With only five ingredients, you'll be able to whip these up for a midnight snack, no problem. And at just 10 calories a pop, you may want to keep a box stocked!
There are so many wonderful things about this sweet, savory snack. 1) It's not your typical dessert, so you'll never get bored of it. 2) It's 95 calories per serving, and 3) can you even handle the colorful cuteness?
Tuck this one away for when autumn rolls back around, or if you're a real pumpkin lover, get a head start on the goodness. Either way, this quick, but satiating sweet is bound to transport you to Thanksgiving dinner in the best way, and it's under 100 calories.
Another pick that's appropriate for breakfast and dessert, these light, airy, and flavorful cookies are only 45 calories per serving. So please, have two... or three.
Not only will these satisfy your craving for something sweet, they'll also give you an energy boost when you need one and are perfect for on-the-go. Bonus: You can freeze them for up to three months.
More of a sour person than sweet? We got you. This refreshing, simple granita is the ideal summer sipper—and it tastes better than any snowcone from a street-side stand.
🎶"If you like piña coladas," 🎶 then you will love these truffles. One bite will transport you to the beach. They're 125 calories each, call for three ingredients, and no oven is required to make them.
This is basically what you'd get if you took the bread out of a PB&J and replaced it with peanut butter cups. According to Davis, it's got so much fiber, antioxidants, and healthy fats that she thinks of it more as a snack than a dessert.
A great substitute for when you've grown tired of dessert oatmeal, this chia pudding will fill you up without sacrificing any sweet. Honestly, it doesn't have to be just dessert, either. It's breakfast- and light lunch-worthy, too.
Not only does this treat taste "just like Cinnabon," per Palinski-Wade, it contains zero added sugar and can be whipped up in just two minutes! It's her twist on the viral mug cake trend, and you won't regret trying it
This is a fancier pick that's great for special occasions, or if you just feel like treating yourself. It calls for almond flour, agar agar, and pomegranate molasses. At about 300 calories a slice, it's a winner.
If you're one to often crave a balance of salty and sweet, look no further than this simple, but extremely satisfying dessert. After making the vegan caramel topping, you'll want to drizzle it on everything.
If you're sick of making bread with your overripe bananas, try this yummy recipe instead and say goodbye to your chocolate chip cookie cravings. They're only 64 calories per serving, to boot.
Forget wanting a slice of cake—the equal crunch and fluff of cake pops are even more satisfying. And these special ones are made of only four ingredients: dark chocolate, oats, peanut butter, and chocolate protein powder.
This one's for those who can never decide between oatmeal raisin and chocolate chip—why not (kind of) both? This recipe is a great example of swapping added sugar for pureed fruit.
You may not even want to eat this one because of how pretty it is, but just wait until you taste it. As Gorin puts it, "You're eating the same ingredients that you might put into a smoothie or fruit salad, but you just happen to be making them into a dessert."
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Homemade mixed berry yogurt popsicles on a rustic white wood background.
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Just because you're trying to eat more healthy doesn't mean you need to give up on delicious treats altogether. In fact, responsible indulgence can actually make your diet more sustainable in the long run. Without further ado, here are ten delish dessert recipes that will satisfy your sweet tooth without derailing your healthy eating goals:
Sunrise Tropical Fruit Salad With Coconut Chia Cream: Satisfy your 3 p.m. sugar cravings with this delectably refreshing fruit salad that tastes like summer bliss in a bowl. What's more, the easy-to-make treat is loaded with essential nutrients like vitamins A and C, potassium, magnesium, iron and dietary fiber. Need I say more? Here's the full recipe. These recipes for Healthy Fruit Salad with Citrus Mint Dressing and Sugar-Free Strawberry Pretzel Salad are also highly recommended.
Cherry Avocado Chocolate Mousse: This rich, velvety mousse is packed with heart-healthy fats and antioxidants thanks to avocado and cherries. Plus, it contains no refined sugar making it a sumptuously healthy ending to your repast. If you aren't a fan of cherries, no worries, simply swap it out with fresh or frozen berries of your choice. Get the dairy-free dessert recipe here.
Frozen Yogurt Bark with Blueberries and Almonds: Loaded with protein, calcium, magnesium and vitamin C, this refreshing, berry-studded dessert will satisfy your sweet tooth without giving you a sugar crash later. Though the recipe uses almonds and blueberries, you can trade them for any toasted nuts and seasonal fruits combo of your choice—like cherries and pecans or pomegranate and pistachios. Here's the original recipe.
Sugar-Free Cottage Cheese Parfait With Berries: Creamy cottage cheese perfectly complements the tartness of berries in this delicious, naturally sweetened healthy treat that you can enjoy both as a dessert and breakfast. Plus, it takes barely five minutes (and minimal culinary prowess) to put it together. What's not to like? Get the recipe here. You might also like these recipes for Key Lime Yogurt Parfait with Granola and Low-Sugar Strawberry Cheesecake Parfait.
Skinny Low Sugar Strawberry Muffins: Fluffy and tender with a burst of sweetness from ripe strawberries in every bite, these scrumptious muffins will satisfy even the sweetest of sweet tooths. You can trade refined sugar with honey or maple syrup to make the recipe healthier. Get the original recipe here. I also recommend these delish recipes for Skinny Banana Bread Muffins and Low-Sugar Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins.
No-Sugar Cookie Dough Dip: If you like cookie dough as much as I do, you're going to absolutely love this healthier twist on the classic treat that gets its natural sweetness from dates. Made with that gets its natural sweetness from dates. Nuff said. Get the complete recipe here.
Strawberry Blueberry Coconut Water Popsicles: These refreshing, naturally sweet popsicles will help you cool down after a long day while giving you a Vitamin C-boost. I like to throw in some raspberries and mint too—to pack in more flavor. Get the original recipe here. For a vegan version, swap honey in the recipe with maple syrup or date syrup. You might also want to check out this recipe for Pineapple, Mint and Coconut Water Pops.
Dark Chocolate Pistachio Bliss Bites: These crunchy, dairy-free bliss bites will hit the spot as your on-the-go snack as well as post-dinner sweet. Plus, it takes as little as 15 minutes to whip up a batch of these healthy treats. Check out the easy-peasy recipe here. You might also want to try this scrumptious Dark Chocolate Bark with Nuts and Orange Zest recipe.
Skinny Mixed Berry Pie: With a crispy fathead lattice top and a berrilicious filling underneath, no one would be able to guess that this decadent and (seemingly) sinful dessert is both low-carb and free of added sugars. Check out the keto-friendly recipe here.
Coffee Chocolate Chip Blondies: Made with better-for-you ingredients like whole wheat flour and coconut sugar, these chewy treats will make you fall in love with them at first bite. Don't believe me? Try the recipe yourself. I also love these recipes for Paleo Chocolate Chip Blondies and Low-Carb Peanut Butter Blondies.
What's your go-to healthy dessert recipe? LMK in the comments section below.
