by Coach Lindsay Zemba Leigh
Healthy eating doesn’t mean depriving yourself of treats.
Food is meant to be enjoyed and pleasurable. A healthy balanced diet can include your favorite treats in moderation. When you have your favorite treat, enjoy it seated in a relaxed environment, eating slowly, savoring every bite.
You can also find healthier ways to satisfy your sweet tooth. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Ghiradelli dark chocolate chips (86% cacao) mixed with raisins or craisins – it’s hard to eat too many of these because they are a little bitter, but they help satisfy your sweet craving while also getting some healthy antioxidants.
- Plain greek yogurt with a little cocoa powder and stevia mixed in. You can add some berries to make it even more nutritious.
- Banana ice cream – Chop a ripe banana into small pieces. Place it in a freezer safe bowl or freezer bag. Freeze for at least 2 hours or overnight. Pulse the frozen banana in a food processor or blender until it turns into a creamy texture. You can add dark chocolate chips or peanut butter or a drizzle of honey if you’d like.
Healthier Cookie Treats – Recipe
And here are two way to make cookies a little healthier:
Quinoa Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 C uncooked quinoa, rinsed in a strainer
½ t baking soda
1.5 C pitted dates
¼ C almond butter
2 organic eggs
1 t vanilla extract
½ C oats
½ C chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350. In a food processor, combine quinoa and baking soda. Process for 5 min. Add dates and almond butter. Process until combined and smooth. Add eggs and vanilla and process again until fully combined. Wait until the mix cools and then fold in oats and chocolate chips. Scoop cookies on a lined baking sheet and flatten slightly. Bake for 10 min until golden brown.
Pumpkin coconut breakfast cookies
Makes 20 cookies
Combine 2 c almond flour, 1 and 1/2 c rolled oats, 1 c shredded coconut, 2 t cinnamon, 1/2 t salt. Separately combine 1 c pumpkin puree, 1/2 c maple syrup, 1/2 c melted coconut oil. Stir wet ingredients into dry. Spoon dough onto baking sheet and gently press. Bake at 350F until golden, 25-30 min. Optional – mix in 1/2 c raisins, chocolate chips, chopped dates, or walnuts before baking.
What are some of your favorite treats? Or favorite treats turned healthy?
Need help with your daily nutrition and hydration needs? Consider our Nutrition Coaching, with a 10-week program to help you dial in your needs to optimal performance and health.