I'm not a fan of the term "cheat meal".
I prefer "treat meal" instead.
Because when done properly and when balanced with protein, fat and fiber rich meals, you don't need to consider the occasional treat as "cheating".
It's just part of life. Celebrations, birthday parties, weddings, anniversaries... there are plenty of occasions when you might want to have a little indulgence to commemorate the day.
But it's also true that some desserts can leave you feeling lethargic, tired and craving more sugar.
Thankfully there are plenty of delicious recipes that can feel like a total treat but won't leave you feeling "bleh" the next day.
So today I'm sharing 15 desserts that taste amazing and are more supportive of your overall health and wellness goals.
Enjoy!
1. Whipped Cream and Berries
My classic dessert! This version of whipped cream and berries contains zero added sugar but still serves as a satisfying dessert.
Grab the recipe with the video above.
2. Honey Baked Brie with Strawberries
Cheese in any form can feel decadent but is shockingly high in satiating protein that helps support a body recomposition goal and stable blood sugar levels.
Throw on a little honey and dip it with strawberries to impress your friends (and taste buds).
Ingredients:
1 wheel or large slice of brie cheese
Honey
1-2 crunchy apples
1 cup strawberries
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Place the brie cheese on the baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes. The thicker the cheese, the longer it will take to melt.
Remove from the oven and drizzle with honey.
Serve with sliced strawberries and sliced apples for dipping.
3. Vanilla Crunch Dark Chocolate Hu Bars
The extra crunch of the crispy quinoa makes a normal dark chocolate bar feel like something a little more special. This is my favorite chocolate to opt for when I want a treat. The bars are made from less processed ingredients, such as unrefined coconut sugar and fair-trade cacao.
Try it HERE.
4. Protein Hot Chocolate
If you're feeling like a warm mug of cocoa, then you need to try this recipe. It has zero added sugar and is loaded with 18 grams of complete protein, making it less of a "treat" and more of a perfect post-workout sipper... that also tastes like a treat ;)
Find the recipe HERE.
5. Single Serve Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake
Cheesecake is my favorite Thanksgiving dessert even though it's probably not a very traditional holiday dessert. I developed a healthy, low sugar, high protein single serve cheesecake that's perfect for the fall season.
Get the recipe HERE.
6. Strawberry Milk
This isn't your typical boxed strawberry milk that's filled with high fructose corn syrup and typically found in school lunches. This super simple recipe uses just one strawberry and a cup of milk to make a zero added sugar, high protein sipper.
Just pour 1 cup of whole milk into a blender and add one strawberry. Blend on high until well mixed and pour into a cup.
7. Skinny Dipped Almonds
Typical chocolate covered almonds have added sugar in the form of highly processed corn syrup. If you're looking for a healthier movie snack, try Skinny Dipped Almonds instead.
You can find them HERE.
8. Peanut Butter Chocolate Dipped Chip Cookies
Zero flour in this recipe! No, that's not a typo. This recipe is held together with peanut buttery goodness and minimal added sugar from pure maple syrup.
Find the recipe HERE.
9. Avocado Chocolate Pudding
If you were a fan of chocolate pudding packs then you'll love this high fiber, low sugar recipe. (It's also a sneak peek from our Level Up Guide!)
Serves 4
Ingredients:
2 ripe avocados
2 Tbsp. unsweetened coconut milk from a carton
3 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
1 Tbsp. coconut cream
1 oz. melted dark chocolate (at least 72%)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 Tbsp. raw honey or maple syrup
pinch of sea salt (this helps to bring the sweetness out without adding more honey/maple syrup)
1. Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth.
2. Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving.
10. Trev's Famous Popcorn
My husband makes the best popcorn. He cooks it on the stove top and layers it with salted butter and freshly grated parmesan cheese.
By cooking it at home, you have more control over the quality of the ingredients you use, which really matters when it comes to popcorn. Typical movie theater popcorn uses GMO corn, inflammatory seed oils, partially hydrogenated soybean oil and other questionable ingredients. Plus, if you're cooking it in the microwave, you can expose yourself to microplastics and PFAS (also known as "forever chemicals").
Trust me, once you try this popcorn you'll never go back to the less healthy alternative.
Grab the recipe HERE.
11. Edible Cookie Dough
Did you even have a childhood if you never ate raw cookie dough?! ;)
Thankfully, this much healthier recipe is actually meant to be eaten raw (hooray for food safety!). It also has zero added sugar and 17 grams of protein per serving.
Try the recipe HERE.
12. Cinnamon Baked Apples
This is such a cozy and healthy dessert that the whole family will love.
Serves 1
Ingredients:
1 red apple, cored
2 Tbsp. rolled oats
1 tsp. maple syrup
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
pinch of sea salt
1 Tbsp. grass-fed heavy whipping cream OR coconut cream
1. Preheat oven to 400.
2. In a small bowl, add the rolled oats, maple syrup, cinnamon and salt. Toss to combine. Fill the apple with the oat mixture.
3. Put the apple on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 20-30 minutes.
4. Top with grass-fed heavy whipping cream OR coconut cream.
13. Healthy-ish Mulled Wine
I'm not a huge drinker. But if I do drink, it's going to be something wine-based. I love a good sangria during the summer, and during the winter I opt for super cozy mulled wine.
Grab my healthy-ish recipe HERE.
14. Chocolate Covered Raspberries
Chocolate covered strawberries are cool... but have you tried chocolate covered raspberries? Raspberries are naturally low in sugar, slightly tart and very high in fiber.
Try the recipe HERE.
15. Gluten-Free Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
This healthy muffin recipe uses oat flour, bananas and other minimally processed ingredients. It also sneaks in a little chocolate-y goodness, too ;)
Try it HERE.
Grab Autumn's Protein Powder HERE and start whipping up delish, protein-packed meals!😋
❤️,
Autumn
Autumn Elle Nutrition