Ashley Abrams, Dietetic Intern
Debbie Strong MBA, RD
Desserts can easily be included in any well-balanced diet. The key is to eat them in moderation and try to choose desserts that provide nutrients.
These are a few nutritious dessert ideas:
- Strawberries with Low-fat Whipped Topping
- Low-fat Chocolate Pudding
- Baked Apples with Cinnamon
- Low-fat Frozen Yogurt
- Jell-O
- Fruit Sherbet
- Italian Ice
- Mixed Berry Yogurt Parfait with Bran Cereal (i.e., Fiber One)
- Frozen Juice Popsicles
Here are a few helpful tips for making your favorite dessert a little more nutritious:
- When baking, use low-fat whipped topping with fresh fruit instead of icing.
- Add nuts to desserts such as cakes and frozen yogurt to add protein, fiber, and vitamins and minerals.
- Try to avoid desserts that have crust, such as pies.
- Leave the peel on fruits such as apples and pears for fruit-based desserts. This will add fiber and nutrients to the dessert.
- Increase the fiber in baked goods by adding flaxseed or by replacing the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour.