5 Desserts Sweetened Only with Fruit
I love treats. I can’t deny it! Even natural sweeteners should be eaten in moderation, however. On the other hand, fruit needs no limit! So when you’re hankering for a mid-afternoon or after-dinner treat, go for one of these treats that are sweetened only with fruit. Fruit is a healthy source of calories as opposed to empty calories, and will still feel sweet and indulgent.
Fruit is nature’s sweetener, and it is by far the most nutrition-packed way to satisfy a sweet tooth. Fruit is low-calorie, high-fiber, and prevents disease. Eat more fruit by swapping out less-nutritious treats with these fruity desserts.
- 1 cup watermelon chunks
- 1 cup frozen strawberries
- a squeeze of lime juice
- 1 cup ice cubes
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Blend all together in a blender and enjoy!
Nutrition in the entire recipe:
135 calories
2 g protein
.5 g fat
35 g carbs
156% DV vitamin C
43% DV vitamin A
Sweet and simple!
- 2 cups frozen pineapple chunks (freeze your own fresh pineapple, or buy it in the frozen fruit section)
- 1/4 cup canned coconut milk
- a frozen bananana or mango chunks is a good addition
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In a food processor, process the pineapple until it's chopped into fine pieces. You can use a blender, but it won't "whip" up quite the same.
Add the coconut milk and run the food processor for at least a full minute, until very smooth and light and fluffy.
Enjoy immediately! Add a sweetener of choice if you feel necessary, but I think it's delicious on its own.
Nutrition for 1/2 recipe:
175 Calories
2 g protein
1 g fat
If you love chocolate and cherries, you’re going to love this very nutritious treat!
- 2 cups frozen cherries
- 3 frozen bananas (or about 3 cups frozen banana chunks)
- 1 cup canned coconut milk or other plant milk
- 3 TBSP cocoa powder
- 2 TBSP chia seeds
- 4 dates
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Combine all into a food processor (a blender will require more liquid in order to blend). Let it sit for 10 minutes so frozen fruit can soften. Blend until smooth. Eat as is, or pour into a loaf pan and freeze until a little firmer, then scoop out to serve.
Naturally-sweetened with dates, these are little balls of chocolate heaven and require only three ingredients!
- 1 cup walnuts
- 14 dates pitted
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder unsweetened
- 1/4 tsp salt (1/2 tsp f you like sea salty chocolate)
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In a food processor or chopper, process all ingredients. Let run several minutes until walnuts are completely smooth and the mixture is shiny with the oil from the walnuts. Add a drizzle of honey if mixture is not sticking together.
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Form into 10 balls. Roll in shredded coconut, chopped nuts, or more cocoa powder if desired.
Store in refrigerator.
If your dates are very hard, soak in hot water for 10 minutes first.
Sweet, creamy, tropical bliss...that you'd never guess is all fruit!
- 2 cups pineapple, fresh or frozen (not canned)
- 1 ripe banana
- 1/2 cup canned coconut milk
- 1 cup mango, cut into small chunks
- sweetener of choice, to taste, if desired (agave, honey, maple syrup for example)
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In a food processor, process the pineapple until fine. Add coconut milk and banana and optional sweetener. Stir in mango chunks. Spoon into popsicle molds and freeze at least 4 hours
To remove, run molds under hot water and slide out. Makes about 6 popsicles.
