For some, desserts can be the best part of a meal. Especially for those with a sweet tooth, ending your meal with something sweet and satisfying can be a perfect finale for a delicious repast. But as enjoyable as it is to eat dessert, unfortunately, many options can leave us feeling depleted of energy and sluggish from that after-sugar crash. This is, of course, not to mention the unwanted empty calories and loads of unhealthy fats that so many pre-packaged desserts found on grocery store shelves are made with. But what about healthy dessert options you can find at the store as well?
With an overall lack of nutritional value and ingredients packed with added sugars and saturated fats, certain desserts can produce some seriously unwanted side effects. The good news is, there are some great options lining grocery store shelves that tick not only your need for great taste, but the ultimate requirements to fit in a healthy lifestyle.
Finding a healthy dessert may mean different things for different people. For people who are managing a diabetes diagnosis, they will likely want to keep their added sugar intake as low as possible. And for those who are focused on gut health, finding choices that contain prebiotic fiber will be their best-bet.
How to pick a healthy dessert
And perhaps the most important aspect when choosing a healthy dessert is to make sure that it tastes good. Because after all, if a dessert isn’t enjoyable to eat, what’s the point?
The Best Healthy Desserts On The Grocery Shelves
When a chocolate craving strikes, Halo Top Chocolate Cake Ice Cream Cake pints are the ultimate chocolate-lover’s dream. A lower-calorie, lower-sugar light ice cream with 18 grams of protein per pint, Chocolate Ice Cream Cake is perfect for dessert-time, snack-time, or celebration-time. With rich white icing, creamy chocolate ice cream, and that nostalgic ice cream cake flavor, this ice cream checks all of the boxes.
Organic figs and organic dark chocolate—to quote the brand name, that’s it! These powerful little plant-based bites are the perfect go-to for when you need that little sweet fix. With these truffles, you can rest assured that you’re not sacrificing any nutritional value, as these babies are loaded with fiber, only 1 gram of added sugars, and less than 25 calories per truffle. Snack on!
KIND Soft Baked Squares offer that satisfying sweetness in every bite while—and here’s where they get sneaky—serving up to 14 or more finely ground almonds in every bite for added nutritional value. These gluten-free bars are made with almond flour and offer 5 grams of protein with every square to keep you filled and energized throughout your day.
Packed with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, cashews have been shown to lower the risk of heart disease. Additionally, cashews are a source of magnesium and can aid in muscle and nerve health. Add dark chocolate for that extra sweet kick, you’ve got yourself the perfect dessert that satisfies your sweet tooth while providing you ample nutrition. With Next by Nature, 4 grams of protein help keep you full until your next meal.