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.
Strawberry Watermelon Slushie
Ingredients
- 1 cup watermelon chunks
- 1 cup frozen strawberries
- a squeeze of lime juice
- 1 cup ice cubes
Instructions
- Blend all together in a blender and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition in the entire recipe:
135 calories
2 g protein
.5 g fat
35 g carbs
156% DV vitamin C
43% DV vitamin A
Pineapple Dole Whip
Sweet and simple!
Servings 2 large servings
Ingredients
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
Notes
Nutrition for 1/2 recipe:
175 Calories
2 g protein
1 g fat
Chocolate Cherry Chia Nice Cream
If you love chocolate and cherries, you’re going to love this very nutritious treat!
Servings 2 large servings
Ingredients
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
Healthy Brownie Bites
Naturally-sweetened with dates, these are little balls of chocolate heaven and require only three ingredients!
Servings 5 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup walnuts I've used other nuts or seeds, too
- 1 cup pitted dates Medjool are best but others are fine, too
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder unsweetened
- 1/4 tsp salt (1/2 tsp if you like sea salty chocolate)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract optional
Instructions
- 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.
- Form into 10 balls. Roll in shredded coconut, chopped nuts, or more cocoa powder if desired. Store in refrigerator.
Notes
If your dates are very hard, soak in hot water for 10 minutes first.
Mango Piña Colada Popsicles
Sweet, creamy, tropical bliss...that you'd never guess is all fruit!
Servings 6 popsicles
Ingredients
- 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)
Instructions
- 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.
Would you like to save this?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!