There’s no shame in a sweet tooth! You can still make healthy choices and enjoy delicious chocolate. Check out our best snack swaps and chocolate-eating tips for a plan that works for you. Delicious, plant-based chocolate and dessert alternatives will let you enjoy your snacks guilt-free.
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Try Ultra Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate offers a rich and intense flavor to satisfy your sweet tooth. It tastes just as good as a chocolate dessert or milk chocolate bar but with health benefits. An organic dark chocolate bar with more than 70% cacao has less sugar than a slice of cake or a brownie. While healthier for you, it tastes just as decadent and indulgent.
There are even more dark chocolate health benefits you should know about. Extra dark chocolate is a source of essential minerals like iron and magnesium. It’s a food rich in plant flavanols, which help relax your blood vessels and improve blood flow from your heart to the rest of your body. Dark chocolate is dairy-free, making it an ideal sweet treat for those without dairy or a plant-based or vegan diet. With so many reasons to enjoy dark chocolate, take a bite of an organic bar the next time you want something sweet. There are many flavors to enjoy, including fudgy dark chocolate and chocolate bars with lush fruit notes. The taste of cacao will satisfy you, so you don’t reach for a treat with more sugar.
Eat Bite Size Treats
When you want to eat a whole chocolate bar, try a bite-size bar instead. Mini chocolate bars have just the right amount of sweetness and flavor. You won’t need to overindulge or eat a bar of oversized chocolate. A pack of individually wrapped mini chocolate pieces lets you enjoy one at a time.
The best part about miniature chocolates is that you can ration them at home or take them on the go. Place some chocolate in your bag or leave one for yourself on the kitchen table. A bite-size bar can be a personal reward for working out or doing household chores. Give yourself a daily limit, and you’ll keep your sweet tooth in check.
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Experiment with Healthy Desserts
Chocolate tarts or cupcakes may be your favorite dessert, but you can always alternate them with a healthier snack. The next time you’re craving something delicious, have a fruit popsicle or a couple of no-bake protein balls. You’ll get nutrients from the fruit or add protein to your diet that you may not get from a chocolate treat. Plus, you’ll explore more flavors and find new recipes.
Healthy dessert alternatives will keep you busy in the kitchen and expand your mind to new flavors. We love dessert swaps like rainbow fruit salad or fruit parfaits featuring granola and Greek yogurt. In addition to these sweet delights, fruit smoothies and no-bake peanut butter paleo bars fill you up and offer a satisfying flavor. Top your parfait or fruit salad with bold and fudgy roasted cacao nibs. Chia pudding can satisfy your desire for a cool and creamy treat while drinking chocolate is low in sugar and makes you feel warm and cozy.
Revamp Your Kitchen Pantry
It’s easier to resist temptation when it’s not there, so consider replacing the sugary products in your pantry with a few healthier options. Start by reading your favorite treats and snacks’ labels, then swap out what isn’t nourishing. We have a few examples of ingredients that will make a difference, like unsweetened and plant-based cocoa powder. It contains no sugar, so you can feel good about including it in your cooking or adding it to your baked goods.
Vegan chocolate discs for baking and lower sugar baking discs will help you create healthier dessert bars and cookies. If you use refined sugar, try substituting it with agave or pure maple syrup. Avocado and olive oil are excellent substitutes for canola oil, and you can’t go wrong with oat flour or almond flour as a substitute for white flour.
Unsweetened baking chocolate made with pure cacao or discs made with plant-based bittersweet chocolate will add more health benefits to your batch of cookies or vegan brownies. If you like to drink your dessert, bittersweet chocolate crumbles are an alternative to a hot cocoa mix. They also make excellent mochas. As another idea, roasted cacao nibs can give your smoothie or parfait a rich and chocolatey flavor.
Distract Yourself
Sometimes, we crave a sweet treat because it grabs our attention! If you daydream about dessert in front of a bakery or an ice cream shop, it’s time for a distraction. Go for a brisk walk or chew a piece of gum. Cinnamon and fruit-flavored gum can help curb cravings, as can peppermint or spearmint candy.
Another way to distract yourself is by exercising! The more you commit to your health, the less you may crave sweets and candy. Eat fresh fruit or drink a glass of water the next time you want a piece of layer cake or a hot fudge sundae. Soon, you may find that you’re making healthier choices and saving the sweet tooth for a special occasion.
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Choosing More Nutritious Treats
Ignoring delicious chocolate is hard, especially if you have a sweet tooth. With a bit of creativity and practice, you can limit sugary treats. Make healthy choices and eat plant-based chocolate with less sugar and more nutrients. Simple substitutions such as bite-size treats and lower-sugar ingredients can positively impact how often you reach for a dessert or candy.