Ditch the Desserts: Easy Swaps That Your Teeth and Waistline Will Love
Is your penchant for sweets leading you into sticky situations? While the occasional craving for something sweet is universal, the repercussions of indulging in sugary treats can be rather unpleasant. Fret not; we’ve curated 14 delicious candy alternatives that not only satiate your cravings but also contribute to less alarming dentist visits—just in time for Halloween.
1. Fresh Fruits for Your Sweet Tooth
Fresh fruits top the list because of their incredible benefits. They are naturally sweet, come with loads of fiber, are low in calories, and offer abundant vitamins and minerals.
Let’s take strawberries, for instance– they taste awesome, give you just 46 calories in a cup, and give your teeth 3 grams of protective fiber and a big dose of vitamin C. Simply wow!
2. Munch on Dried Fruits
Dried fruits are a concentrated source of nutrients and sugar due to dehydration, making them even sweeter and calorie-denser than their fresh counterparts. (So, you need to be careful with portions.)
However, studies say that people who munch on dried fruit tend to eat better and keep their weight in check. So, it’s a sweet treat that’s kind to your teeth and waistline. Just watch for those sneaky added sugars.
3. Chill Out with Homemade Popsicles
In those hot summer days, chilled popsicles (frozen) are a much-needed snack. But if you’re concerned about the extra sugar and artificial ingredients lurking in packaged popsicles, homemade ones are a way to go!
Just blend your favorite fruits with water, juice, or milk. Pour this fruity mix into molds or cups, pop in a stick, and let them freeze overnight. And for a creamy twist? Blend with yogurt instead, or pop a stick into a cup for a quick dessert. Who says you can’t have fun while keeping your teeth in top shape?
4. Nice Cream
When you indulge in a fruit-based ice cream – it’s “nice cream”! This delicious treat is made from frozen fruit, and you can get creative by adding peanut butter, honey, or coconut milk for that extra oomph. Blend it all and freeze it. Now, you are ready to enjoy the taste of ice cream without the guilt.
5. Fuel Your Day with Energy Balls
Small in size but big on energy – these balls are truly a wonderful snack. Thanks to their wholesome ingredients packed with fiber, protein, and healthy fats, they are ideal to keep your hunger at bay.
These are a mix of oats, nut butter, flax seeds, and dried fruits, but the fun part is you can mix in almost anything you crave, from protein powder to chocolate chips. So, energy balls are your healthy partners whenever you feel tired and need a pick-me-up.
6. Dark Chocolate & Coconut, the Perfect Duo
This combo has extraordinary benefits; dark chocolate contains antioxidants for your heart, brain, and insulin sensitivity. On the other hand, coconut is a fantastic source of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) to help with weight loss, fat burn, and a happy gut.
You can enjoy it solo or as a yogurt’s BFF. Create them at home, and if you prefer store-bought, watch for added sugars.
7. Crunchy Trail Mix
It’s a tempting blend of nuts, seeds, grains, dried fruit, and the occasional chocolate chip, offering you fiber, protein, and a bunch of fantastic plant compounds.
You can mix up some cashews, cranberries, pretzels, pumpkin seeds, and dark chocolate chips for a healthy, homemade version. Again, store-bought versions are sometimes loaded with refined sugars, so making your trail mix is the safest way (and yummy, too).
8. Crispy Chickpeas
Chickpeas, or garbanzo beans, are packed with protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They’re great for your heart and can reduce the risk of conditions like type 2 diabetes.
You can turn chickpeas into a tasty treat with any flavor you want. It’s as simple as preheating your oven, baking the chickpeas, and giving them a sprinkle of sugar and anything you love, like cinnamon, honey, vanilla, apple, maple syrup, and Tada! Here is your crispy, sweet delight that is equally good for your teeth and taste buds.
9. Whip Up Avocado-Chocolate Pudding
Avocados are loaded with healthy fats, fiber, vitamins, and minerals and also help reduce appetite, which is great for weight control, making it good for your body and your smile. So, whip up this creamy treat and savor the goodness.
10. Homemade Gummies
Who doesn’t love gummies? But how about a twist – homemade gummies that are not just yummy but also kind to your body, especially your joints and skin? Collagen is an essential protein that keeps tissues strong and stretch-resistant. It’s found in animal parts like pork and chicken skin, beef and chicken bones, and even gelatin – the magic behind gummies!
You can easily craft collagen-rich gummies at home using fruit juice and honey.
11. Strawberries Covered with Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate is known for its heart-healthy benefits, and strawberries are bursting with antioxidants and vitamins that keep your heart in check.
How do you create this magical duo? Dip your berries in melted dark chocolate, place them on wax paper, and let them chill in the freezer for 15–20 minutes.
12. DIY Honey Roasted Nuts
Nuts contain unsaturated fatty acids that reduce the risk factors for heart disease. Research even suggests they can lower “bad” cholesterol levels. When you roast these fiber-rich nuts with honey, you create a sweet-and-salty snack that’s hard to resist.
13. Fruit and Veggie Crispy Snacks
These crispy wonders are created by thinly slicing and baking fruits and vegetables, resulting in that signature crunch we all love. Plus, they help lower the risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and certain cancers.
14. Cookie Dough
Healthy cookie dough is a world of sweet possibilities. You can swap ingredients and flavors to create your guilt-free snack. Whether chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, or peanut butter, there’s a healthy twist for every craving.
You can whip it up at home with simple ingredients like chickpeas, brown sugar, peanut butter, oats, and more. Just blend everything (except the chocolate chips) and mix in the chips.
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