5 Healthy Substitutes for Your Favorite Desserts
Looking to satisfy your sweet tooth without relying on refined sugar? These wholesome swaps use fruits and natural ingredients to recreate your favorite treats—like ice cream, cookies, brownies, and even candy—without sacrificing flavor. Unlike refined sugar, fruit contains fiber, vitamins, and minerals that help nourish your body and support healthy digestion. These recipes and tips make it easy (and delicious) to make the switch.
1. Ice cream —> frozen fruit ice cream
2. Cookies —> Cookies made with blended banana or dates substituted for sugar cane
3. Brownies —> Squash (the vegetable!) chocolate brownies
4. Chocolate —> Lily's stevia-sweetened chocolate bar (sold at Whole Foods and other grocery stores) or stevia-sweetened hot cocoa
5. Candy —> Dried fruit
Dates
Figs
Mangos
Apple slices
Why is fruit better to eat than sugar cane or other refined added sweeteners?
Fruits have micronutrients (vitamins and minerals).
Fruits have fiber helping us both feel full and with healthy digestion. When we feel full, we know when to stop eating.
Sugar gives us "empty calories": calories without micronutrients or fiber. This contributes to weight gain and metabolic syndrome.
Heal Your Relationship with Sweets in
the 8-Week No Sugar Challenge
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