Black Bean Brownies: Who can resist a warm, fudge brownie? Pretty much no one, which is why those fatty, sugary ones can be replaced with a healthier black bean modification. The beans provide the fudge texture while honey or pure maple syrup (not the processed pancake type) provides the sweetness. The chocolate part comes from unsweetened cocoa powder. Add some vanilla, some eggs and some baking powder and you are good to go. Sweet, healthy and full of fill-you-up fiber so you don’t eat too many. Try Chocolate Covered Black Bean Brownie recipe!
Natural Juices: Juicing is all the rage right now and with good reason. You get a hefty dose of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other good-for-you stuff in one setting. If you have to purchase juice vs. using a juicer at home always look for juices that are 100% natural, which means the only thing in them are fruits, vegetables and other natural ingredients like ginger or turmeric. The fruit from the juices are sweet enough that nothing additional needs to be added. The best part of juicing is that they pack a punch and taste great.
Kale Chips: You might only eat kale chips with a spicy or garlicky taste, but some kale chips come in sweet flavors that use coconut, pineapple and pure maple syrup to make them taste more like a crunchy dessert rather than a salty chip. Next time you are itching for kale chips, choose the sweet, sugar-free variety to satisfy that sweet tooth.
Cashew Butter: Of all the nut butters, cashew butter is probably not at the top of most people’s lists. But this surprisingly sweet spread is not only delicious, but full of healthy fats. Make sure you buy natural cashew butter where nothing has been added to it. Spread it on a piece of fruit for an even sweeter treat.
Raw Protein Bars: Eating Raw is gaining speed since cooking foods can many times strip away its healthy nutrients. Raw protein bars are always made up of only natural foods that use ingredients like coconut, raisins, dates, cacao and fruit as their sweeteners. This also makes them great for vegans and those who need to eat a gluten-free or soy-free diets. Try our Easy Homemade Snack Bars!
Fruit Pops: Fruit is naturally sweet all on its own so a frozen natural fruit pop is a great way to satisfy that sugar craving and even cool you off on a hot day. Look for fruit pops that only have fruit as their ingredient. If there is any hint of added sugar or corn syrup, skip it. Better yet, make your own so you know exactly what’s in it! Try this recipe for Watermelon Whole Fruit Popsicles from The Whole Life Nutrition® Kitchen! Delicious and adorable!
