When people think of healthy eating, immediately the idea of sweet
treats fades into a one-time guilty pleasure, but it doesn't have to
fade away completely. While refined sugar is not the best for anybody,
there are alternatives that can satisfy that sweet tooth while helping
you reach your weight loss goals.
Fruit
Fruit
is always a good quick fix for a sugar craving. Biting into an apple
can ease that sugar craving while providing ample amounts of vitamin A.
One medium size apple contains only 95 calories and 4 grams of fiber. If
apples aren't your favorite, try frozen grapes. Grapes are another
great bite-size treat that also prove key vitamins. One cup of grapes
has over 100 calories and 1 gram of fiber.
Blending fruits like
pineapple, bananas and mangoes with a little bit of yogurt can make a
delicious smoothie that is nutritious and tasty. If you need more
portable treats, add some dried fruits to your bag and you have a sweet
treat at your fingertips all the time. However, remember that dried
fruits have more sugar and are less filling per ounce than their fresh
counterparts.
Frozen Yogurt
Frozen yogurt
can quickly satisfy that sweet tooth, and is pleasant and refreshing
year round. It has been shown that yogurt has natural cultures that aid
in digestion and help regulate the digestive track. It also adds a
healthy boost of calcium to your diet. The added bonus with frozen
yogurt is the vast array of flavors you can get. It isn't just vanilla
anymore, so you can indulge in other sweet flavors, like chocolate and
strawberry, and many frozen yogurt shops include fresh fruit among the
available mix-ins. With significantly fewer calories than ice cream,
this is a healthy dessert which enhances your weight loss plan while
easing that sweet tooth.
Greek Yogurt
Greek
yogurt has come a long way too. Different varieties of Greek yogurt are
available for healthy diets. With flavors like caramel, honey and
chocolate, Greek yogurt can satisfy any sugar craving while providing
the same benefits as frozen yogurt.
No matter your preference,
sugar doesn't have to be completely omitted from a healthy diet. Honey
and blue agave are also great natural substitutes for refined sugar. If
you have a sweet tooth, don't worry - you can have your sweets and lose
weight too. With a proper diet and exercise regiment, you can reach your
weight loss goals; however, a good natural weight loss supplement can
assist a solid diet and exercise program, especially a natural appetite
suppressant that can help curb those sugary cravings.