For many people who plan on showing off a trim figure this summer, eating dessert doesn’t fit into the plan. This is largely due to refined grains, sugar, salt and trans fats being included in the nations most popular types of cakes to buy, that do contribute to wait gain.
Luckily, there are many naturally healthy desserts options out there that do not include processed sugars, flours and fats, and they can all be easily made at home. Instead of skipping dessert to keep your figure trim, try swapping out unhealthy treats with these three healthy summer dessert recipes!
- Three Ingredient Coconut-Banana-Strawberry Ice Cream
Nothing says summer like coconut ice cream. But chances are if you head to the local ice cream shop you will be met with sugar laden options with intolerant cow’s milk.
The next time you or the kids are in the mood for an after dinner treat, try this three ingredient ice cream recipe with endless various flavor options. This recipe is naturally sweet, so you won’t need to add in any sweetener. If you do, keep it natural by adding in raw, local honey or maple syrup. You can also add in your favorite nut butter or some cacao powder for an extra decadent taste.
Ingredients:
- 1 frozen banana
- 6-8 whole frozen strawberries
- 1-2 tablespoons organic coconut oil
- (optional: nut butter, honey, cacao powder)
Instructions:
To make, place the fruit (minus the banana peel) in a freezer bag and freeze overnight or for at least 4 hours. Take the fruit out of the freezer 10 minutes before making the ice cream. Let it rest. After 10 minutes, blend the bananas in a food processor or high speed blending until they are creamy. Add the strawberries and again blend until creamy. Lastly, add the coconut oil and blend until mixed. The ice cream should have the consistency of ice cream. *You can either enjoy the ice cream right after making it or store it in a freezable container for later.
- Chocolate Almond Butter Cups
Resse’s peanut butter cups are one of the most popular sweets out there, but they are full of processed sugar. Making your own peanut butter cups at home is a great way to keep your figure and health in good shape while still enjoying a sweet treat.
Unlike store bought sweets and cakes, which contains cheap oil and processed sugar, this recipe calls for a high quality organic coconut oil that has anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral properties.
Making your own peanut butter cups at home is easy and they are small enough to carry around with you to work or the beach as a guilt-free treat (just be sure to keep them in a cooler bag to ensure they don't melt).
Ingredients:
- 1 cup homemade almond butter (recipe below)
- ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- pinch of salt
- 1 cup homemade melted chocolate (recipe below)
Instructions:
Start by making the homemade almond butter. You’ll need a high speed blender and organic almonds, nothing more! Place one cup of almonds into the blender and start blending slowly.
Gradually increase the speed and blend until the almonds have turned creamy. You may have to scrap down the sides of the blender to get all the almonds. Make sure your mixture comes out to one cup. If not, blend some more!
Next, place the coconut, coconut oil, salt and almond butter in a food processor and puree until smooth. You can do this by hand if you want strong muscles! Add a spoonful of the mixture into 8-10 mini muffin tins.
Prepare the melted chocolate by mixing together 1 cup of cacao powder, ½ cup coconut milk, 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup, 1 teaspoon vanilla and a pinch of salt. Pour the melted chocolate over the peanut butter mixture and freeze for 30 minutes.
- Matcha Green Tea and Chocolate Dessert Smoothie
When you think of summer, you think of sipping a cool beverage next to the water. Matcha Green Tea helps naturally detox chemicals from the body to promote better digestion, skin care and weight loss. Additionally, cacao is high in antioxidants that fight free radicals.
This smoothie would be a great mid-morning or mid-afternoon treat in place of something less healthy. It would also make a great breakfast idea for those who crave something sweet first thing in the morning.
Topping your smoothie with chia seeds helps increase your omega 3 fatty acid intake, which are good for reducing inflammation, boosting brain power and lowering elevated triglyceride levels.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup packed spinach
- 1 cup almond milk
- 2 large frozen bananas
- 2 tsp. organic matcha green tea
- 2-3 medjool dates, pitted
- ½ tsp. vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp. cinnamon
- 2 Tbsp. raw cacao powder
Instructions: Blend everything except for the raw cacao powder in your blender until smooth. Pour out into a jar and top with nibs, shredded coconut, or chia seeds.
We hope you enjoy making these delicious yet so healthy desserts!
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