Low-carb desserts are the perfect way to wrap up a healthy meal. Of course, they’re also ideal if you’re on the lookout for appropriate keto desserts, a nutritious delicacy, or just want to treat yourself to something utterly delicious. Fortunately, it’s easy to fulfill this craving thanks to the fact that plenty of enticing options are available on grocery store shelves.
First, you should try to stay away from an excessive amount of carb-packed items like chips, crackers, bread, and baked gluten-free foods. Some dried fruit—such as bananas, mango, raisins, and dates—are also not ideal. On the other hand, other fruit options are a great choice for low-carb desserts, as are some kinds of keto-friendly cakes, cookies, and even chocolate. (Yes, chocolate!)
If that piqued your interest, that’s likely because some of the most iconic desserts in the United States are chocolate chip cookies, cheesecake, pudding, and other tastebud-tempting delights. You just need to know how to figure out which options are low-carb desserts, as well as get a few ideas to start you off. We can help you with both!
What are low-carb desserts?
Understanding what truly counts as a low-carb dessert—which can be an inherently good choice if following a keto diet—can be a piece of cake.
“The specific amount of carbohydrates that qualify a dessert as ‘low-carb’ can vary depending on individual dietary needs and goals,” Meaghan Greenwood, RD, tells Eat This, Not That! “However, as a general guideline, a low-carb dessert typically contains around 15–30 grams of net carbs per serving.”
“Low-carb for someone with diabetes would be up to 5 grams of total carbs,” explains Amy S. Margulies, RD, CDCES, LDN, NBC-HWC. “For someone without diabetes, there is not such a definitive number, but approximately 15–20 grams of total carbs could still be considered low-carb,” she adds, echoing Greenwood. “Fifteen grams of carbs makes one serving of carbs, per the American Diabetes Association and the CDC.”
Best low-carb desserts on grocery store shelves
Margulies also notes that “while there is no single definition of low-carb for everyone, the best results come from changes you can stick with for the long term.” On top of that, she explains that “adding a protein or healthy fat to a carb serving helps to keep the carbs from having a major impact on your blood sugar level by slowing down the absorption of the carb.”
With that in mind, check out the best low-carb desserts that you may not be able to resist! Also, for more healthy eating tips to help make minding your carbs a breeze, check out 29 Low-Carb Breakfast Ideas That Will Keep You Full All Morning.
Total Carbs Per Serving: 14.2 grams
Greek Yogurt non-fat milk, plain (100-gram serving): 3.64 grams of carbs
Blackberries (50-gram serving): 4.8 grams of carbs
Strawberries (50-gram serving): 3.8 grams of carbs
Mixed Nuts (9.33-gram serving): 2 grams of carbs
The next time you’re at the grocery store be sure to pick up everything you need to put together a heavenly parfait. Greenwood recommends “layering fresh or frozen mixed berries with Greek yogurt and a sprinkle of crushed nuts.”
Along with being a luscious dessert, the berries can offer an abundance of benefits. In fact, the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health deemed them to be “among the healthiest foods you can eat.” Thanks to the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients found in berries, they can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, lower the chance of having a heart attack, and improve both learning and memory while helping your gut and weight loss efforts. When it comes to shopping for your parfait, it’s handy to know that both fresh and frozen berries are healthy options that provide you with the same nutritious and delicious perks.
Total Carbs Per Serving: 15.2 grams
Avocados (100-gram serving): 8.5 grams of carbs
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder (1 tbsp serving): 3.1 grams of carbs
Stevia (1 tsp serving): 3 grams of carbs
Vanilla Extract (1 tsp serving): 0.5 grams of carbs
Dark chocolate has plenty of health benefits, including the fact that it can lower the risk of heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease, as well as have a positive effect on blood pressure, cholesterol, and digestion, according to Medical News Today (MNT). Combine that with avocado’s ability to potentially prevent depression, osteoporosis, and cancer, per a different MNT article, and you have a seriously healthy and satisfying dish.
“Blend ripe avocados with unsweetened cocoa powder,” says Greenwood while suggesting this decadent low-carb dessert. Next, add “a natural sweetener like stevia or monk fruit, and a dash of vanilla extract.”
