Quick & Healthy AF Desserts
Due to Catholicism, I "give up" something every year for 40 days/nights for this thing called Lent (there is the option to "do something nice" or to make more of an effort to be a better person in some way, but no). So this year I decided to give up sugary processed foods (which is most, if not all pre-packaged food). This means I have to make most of my own food and if I want something sweet, I need to make it from scratch with pure ingredients and find substitutes for sugar. I recently came up with some sugar-free recipes that don't compromise taste, flavor or my Lenten penance.
Bye, bye sugar.
This is obviously challenging since there aren't many substitutes that can make up for that sweet taste us ladies crave (especially during our least favorite time of the month) -- or so I thought. I know, I know guys can have cravings too.
BUT, THEY REALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND.
Anyway, here are 5 quick, easy and HEALTHY AF desserts you can try at home (with no sugar)! They may not be as delectable as the super sugary desserts we are used to, but they do the trick to satisfy my sweet-tooth cravings without compromising my Lenten (and fitness) goals. #BecauseJesus
1. Peanut Butter "Brownie" in a mug. (prep time: 1 minute)
My older sister (new mommy) recently texted me asking for quick, healthy (and EASY) dessert recipes. She is time-crunched taking care of my adorable little niece and she is a (retired) athlete like me so she has #FitGoals and is always trying to live that healthy lifestyle. Also like me, she looooooves dat chocolate.
Yum. #sisterlove
So here is my bomb a** PB brownie in a mug recipe:
1-2 ripe bananas
1/4 c flour (I use a flaxseed and wheat germ combo. You can also try almond flour but it's grainer IMO)
pinch of baking soda
2 tbsp cocoa (organic cocoa powder with supergreens or dark chocolate Hershey's works just fine)
1/2 scoop Vega Chocolate SuperGreen Protein Powder (or other chocolate protein powder of your choice - check the label for grams of sugar! No cheating. This ingredient is optional but if you're looking to up your protein game then I highly recommend. Plus this adds tons of extra delicious flavor without the guilt #gainz)
1 tbsp peanut butter (PB2 is delish and has way less added sugar than other PBs. Plus, it comes in a powdery form so it's easy to mix in. Check the grams of sugar on yours or sans the PB.)
Chia seeds (I throw in about 2 tbsp. Optional.)
1 egg (brown organic egg - I know, I sound like a snob about this but I'm tellin' ya brown organic eggs taste better than the regular kind. At least to me they do!)
1 c unsweetened almond milk (you can use unsweetened vanilla version too)
1/4 c water
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp pure organic honey (optional)
Chopped walnut halves (optional)
Throw ingredients together in a mug and microwave for 1 minute (sometimes I take it out after a minute, mix it up then microwave again for 1 min.). Let cool (or not if you're impatient like me) and eat! If you know you'll have a sweet craving again soon and like this recipe, you can put together the dry ingredients ahead of time. Put the ingredients into small baggies and write on the bag with a sharpie what wet ingredients you need to add in so it’s even quicker the next time you make it!
2. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Greek Yogurt. (prep time: < 1 minute)
Ingredients:
1 c nonfat plain greek yogurt (make sure yours has no added sugar - most flavored greek yogurts have tons of added sugar in them. Plain is best.)
1 tbsp PB
1 tbsp honey
1 tsp vanilla extract
pinch sea salt (optional)
1/2 scoop Vega Chocolate SuperGreen Protein Powder (optional)
1 tbsp chocolate chips (or organic superfood dark cocoa bites - I found some on Amazon for pretty cheap!)
Mix together and enjoy! This slightly-sweet dessert comes in around 320 cals and is protein PACKED.
3. 4 Ingredient Healthy Protein Cookies. (prep time: 20-30 mins)
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
Ingredients:
2 large (super) ripe bananas
1 c oats (quick or regular - if you use regular, I suggest chopping them a little so everything holds together better)
1 scoop Vega Chocolate SuperGreen Protein Powder
Pour in (a tiny bit of) unsweetened almond milk (you can use unsweetened vanilla too)
Optional mix-ins: (add in what sounds yummy to you)
handful of chocolate chips (or organic superfood dark cocoa bites)
crushed walnut pieces or pecans
cinnamon
raisins (note: most dry fruit is high in sugar)
Grease cookie sheet. Once you mix in the ingredients, spread out onto cookie sheet (about the size of a spoon, leaving enough room in between each "cookie" so that they don't spread into one another when they bake). Bake for 15 minutes, let cool and enjoy!
4. Peach Cobbler. (prep time: 35 mins)
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
Ingredients:
1 can sliced peaches (not ones in heavy syrup and opt for the no sugar added peaches)
1 c self-rising flour (sub in a flaxseed with almond or coconut flour mixture)
1 c applesauce or 2 ripe bananas
1 c unsweetened almond milk
handful chia seeds (optional)
cinnamon
Mix together ingredients. Spray baking dish with coconut oil baking spray (or whatever you use), add mixture and top with peaches. Bake 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown. Let cool and eat up!
5. Chocolate Banana PB Sandwich. (prep time: 5 mins)
Ingredients:
2 slices multigrain or whole wheat bread
1/3 scoop Vega Chocolate SuperGreen Protein Powder
PB2 (or almond butter)
1 banana
Suuuuper easy, people. Not so much a dessert but it's got a sweet kick to it. I usually eat something like this after I get home from the gym when I want something other than veggies and chicken. Mix together PB2 and protein powder. Spread mixture onto bread, maybe toast it. Slice up a banana and enjoy. Good luck trying not to scarf down this delicious sandwich in just a few bites.
Try 'em out and let me know what you think!