Calorie Friendly Desserts for the New Year
2017 is upon us, and with it comes a whole slew of new year’s resolutions and goals we all want to achieve. Nationwide, one of the most common resolutions made in the new year includes losing weight and eating healthier. And it stands to reason; after several weeks’ worth of Christmas cookies and candy tempting you at every turn, and holiday parties chock-full of creamy dips, fried appetizers, and high-calorie cocktails, it feels right to lighten things up.
But, you don’t have to give up on the foods you love, nor do you have to compromise your sweet tooth. Here are some great calorie-friendly dessert ideas to whip up come January, and your waistline will thank you for it.
Greek Yogurt With Oranges and Mint
Simply add some oranges slices to any flavor of Greek yogurt -- plain is always a great option, and strawberry works great for a fruity treat -- sprinkle it with mint and you have a healthy dessert that could even double as breakfast.
Cut a banana in half lengthwise, smear each half with a layer of ricotta cheese, dust on some cocoa powder, then add a maraschino cherry.
This one also starts with a banana sliced lengthwise, which is then spread with your favorite nut butter. Freeze, then cut into small bites. Feel free to add dark chocolate chips on top if you have a chocolate craving. Without any extras, this treat has:
Simply roll together steel-cut oats, mashed banana, and protein powder into bite-sized balls. You can make a large batch of these, since they store well in the freezer. Balls made with one banana and ¼ cup steel cut oats includes:
Pour some applesauce out of the jar onto a baking sheet, top with cinnamon, and bake for six hours at 150 degrees Fahrenheit until it looks leathery and has lost its shine. Cut into 16 strips, and place extras into an airtight container. One 24oz jar of unsweetened organic applesauce and ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon has:
Peel bananas, freeze them for at least two hours, and then place alongside a tablespoon of peanut butter in a food processor. Once completely blended, eat immediately or freeze in a glass jar. This treat has:
But, you don’t have to give up on the foods you love, nor do you have to compromise your sweet tooth. Here are some great calorie-friendly dessert ideas to whip up come January, and your waistline will thank you for it.
Greek Yogurt With Oranges and Mint
Simply add some oranges slices to any flavor of Greek yogurt -- plain is always a great option, and strawberry works great for a fruity treat -- sprinkle it with mint and you have a healthy dessert that could even double as breakfast.
- 171 calories
- 11g protein
- 34g carbohydrate
- 5g fiber
- 0g fat
Cut a banana in half lengthwise, smear each half with a layer of ricotta cheese, dust on some cocoa powder, then add a maraschino cherry.
- 377 calories
- 23g protein
- 40g carbohydrate
- 3.5g fiber
- 11g fat (1.5g saturated)
This one also starts with a banana sliced lengthwise, which is then spread with your favorite nut butter. Freeze, then cut into small bites. Feel free to add dark chocolate chips on top if you have a chocolate craving. Without any extras, this treat has:
- 200 calories
- 5g protein
- 30g carbohydrates
- 4g fiber
- 8.5g fat (1.5 saturated)
Simply roll together steel-cut oats, mashed banana, and protein powder into bite-sized balls. You can make a large batch of these, since they store well in the freezer. Balls made with one banana and ¼ cup steel cut oats includes:
- 47 calories
- 2.7 grams protein
- 54g carbohydrates
- 7g fiber
- 3g fat (.06g saturated)
Pour some applesauce out of the jar onto a baking sheet, top with cinnamon, and bake for six hours at 150 degrees Fahrenheit until it looks leathery and has lost its shine. Cut into 16 strips, and place extras into an airtight container. One 24oz jar of unsweetened organic applesauce and ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon has:
- 18 calories
- 0.1g protein
- 5g carbohydrates
- 0.6g fiber
- 0g fat
Peel bananas, freeze them for at least two hours, and then place alongside a tablespoon of peanut butter in a food processor. Once completely blended, eat immediately or freeze in a glass jar. This treat has:
- 150 calories
- 3.2g protein
- 29g carbohydrates
- 3.6g fiber
- 4.4g fat
