Delicious AND Nutritious Desserts? Do Tell!

Let’s face it, sweet desserts will be around this holiday season.  All it takes is one quick glimpse of a delicious holiday treat to send your thoughts into a silently streaming debate on whether you should or shouldn’t eat one.

One could argue the best reason to eat is that you’re hungry.  But we also know food satisfies more than physical hunger.  So what are the chances we could simultaneously satisfy hunger, meet some nutritional needs and embrace a little pleasure by being thoughtful in our holiday sweet treat choices? Chances are good as long as we maintain the perspective, that we are discussing desserts.  Thus, moderation will always serve us well.

Nature’s Dessert

It’s been referred to as nature’s dessert, and for good reasons.  Fruit is the sweetest, most nutritious treat around!

Boring, you say?  That’s fair, a plain apple doesn’t typically tantalize the senses like a beautifully decorated holiday cookie or molten chocolate cake may.  But then again, it only takes a little effort to transform plain fruit into a visually appealing, taste-pleasing dessert that’s sure to impress!  If nothing else, you may be impressed by the nutritional impact of a fruit dessert.

Comparison of Desserts: Nutritional Value

Fruit desserts you will want to try!

Visit USDA MyPlate which offers a wide variety of low-cost, fruit-based desserts.  Or, use the terms below in your favorite search engine to find a plethora of options.  By adding the words “healthy” or “low-fat” to your search you can narrow it down to desserts that emphasize the fruit, more than the other ingredients.     

 Baked Fruit

1. Cobblers, Crisps & Crumbles
2. Fruit Bars & Tarts
3. Fruit (or veggie) Cookies and Quick Bread (zucchini bread with applesauce)
4. Frozen Fruit Desserts
5. Fruit Pies, Cakes & Galettes (Tarts)
6. Parfaits