Eating less refined sugar—especially sugary desserts—is good for your health. Still, you don’t need to give up all your sweet desserts. You can make a sustainable and realistic diet by replacing some of the ingredients in your desserts with more healthy alternatives.

You’re more likely to stick to your meal plan if you occasionally include your favorite desserts in your meal plan. Just make sure that the desserts contain the right amount of protein and fibre so that they’re filling and nutritious—then fit these treats into your daily calorie budget.

Here are seven filling and nutritious desserts you can delight in.

1. Banana ice cream

This is an easy dessert. Throw some frozen bananas and some avocado into a blender and give them a whirl. You can make a single serving by cutting half an avocado and half a banana into chunks, freezing them, and blending them. The avocado gives the mixture a creamy texture. To add a chocolate flavor, add a tablespoon of cocoa powder. Bananas are fibre-rich and contain potassium, which is known to reduce the risk of stroke.

2. Almond butter brownies

There are many recipe variations for these nutritious brownies. If you love chocolate, consider using a recipe that includes cocoa powder, almond butter, maple syrup, and oats. The oats provide you with fibre, and almond butter has protein. Fibre and protein keep you satisfied, so you don’t need to worry about eating too many.

3. Chocolate pudding

This recipe brings together 50 ml (1/4 cup) of raw honey, about six tablespoons of cocoa powder, and three avocados. Avocados keep cholesterol levels low because they provide natural fat; they’re also rich in fibre. You can adjust the measurements to fit your preferred level of sweetness. Even though honey is a form of sugar, it’s healthier than refined white sugar because it’s more natural.

4. Fruity ice pops

Ice pops are easy to make and quite refreshing. To make this dessert, you only need water, honey, your preferred fruits, and popsicle molds. Use the water and a bit of honey to puree the fruit. Pour the mixture into the molds are freeze them until they set.

5. Energy balls

Energy balls share some similarities with energy bars. However, their shape is different, and they have more health benefits. Making energy bars from scratch is easy. Mix up your preferred ingredients for energy bars and rolls the mixture into a ball.

One option you can try is mixing one tablespoon of vanilla, 1/2 cup dark mini chocolate chips, 1/2 cup (125 ml) ground flax seed, 1 cup (250 ml) shredded coconut, 1/3 (75 ml) cup honey, 1/2 cup (125 ml) almond butter or peanut butter, and 1 cup (250 ml) oatmeal. Consider using dark chocolate as its low sugar content makes it a healthier alternative to milk chocolate.

6. Chocolate mug cake

If you want the best control of your portions, this single-serving recipe is a good option. Mix two tablespoons of cocoa powder, one egg, and one banana, then heat them in the microwave for sixty seconds. Not only does it have no added sugar, but this mug cake also gives you a great mix of protein from the egg and carbs from the banana.

7. Baked apples

Start by coring the number of apples you want. Next, add some brown sugar and a small amount of cinnamon at the center of the apple. Wrap each apple in tin foil and place them in the oven at 180 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit) or on the barbecue for about fifteen minutes.

Cinnamon helps reduce damage to cells by free radicals because it contains a lot of antioxidants. Free radicals occur naturally, but they can also occur as a result of exposure to UV rays, cigarette smoke, and pollution. Serve the baked apples with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or some Greek yogurt. Top it up with walnuts or homemade candied pecans.

Enjoy Tasty but Healthful Desserts

With these healthy dessert ideas, you can still relish your tasty treats even as you maintain a balanced diet. With practice, you can learn how to replace dessert ingredients that are in high refined sugar with alternatives that promote good health.