trying to be healthy - what can I have for dessert?

[Peachyblush2025]

I'm trying to eat clean - have cut out all processed and sugary stuff. So far, I've done 4 days. I don't have much to look forward to, don't enjoy alcohol so I used to use desserts and all sorts of sugary treats to pick myself up.

Now I'm trying to eat healthier, there really isn't much to look forward to. I gave up meat several years ago and don't enjoy being vegetarian as much I enjoyed eating meat but I did still have dessert. Now...nothing.

Is there anything I can have for dessert or a treat that isn't fruit? I can't really do one or two squares of chocolate as I frequently ate several big bars a night. I suspect I may just have to make do with fruit but I thought I would just ask.

Desperately want to lose weight and also suspect I may be pre-diabetic. I have a good 2.5-3 stone to lose and I want this to the year I do it.

I feel this OP.

I'm making up lots of quantities of jelly, and having one a night. Full fat Greek yoghurt with some honey on top. Baked apples with lots of cinnamon (apparently helps to curb sugar cravings)

It's not the same as a biscuit though. Dammit

The best way to be healthy is not to have dessert. Just have a piece of fruit.

Fresh fruit salad - fresh satsuma, apple, pear, grapes - chopped up with a table spoon of juice and some creme fraiche or a tablespoon of cointreau.

Quick, feels like luxury and contributes to your 30 a week 😊

If you microwave chopped banana it goes like the inside of banana fritters from the takeaway! I have it with cinnamon and Greek yoghurt

Fruit after dinner messes your digestion apparently so a no go. I think the easiest thing is to cut out dessert or have a piece of cheese instead? Easier to resist the sugar cravings if you go cold turkey.

Could you stew fruit like apples, rhubarb etc to make them more interesting, then serve on natural yogurt?

You could make your own Granola to sprinkle on top for extra crunch and sweetness.

Meringues are fairly basic in terms of ingredients. Crumble a few mini ones with berries and natural yogurt for an Eton Mess style dessert.

I do sugar free jellies with yoghurt or baked apples - occasionally banana split with a bit of everything in the cupboard (dried fruit, nuts, drizzle of fresh cream).

I can't do without dessert either. I did cut them out completely once, but to be honest I like them too much to want to live without forever.

I do sugar free jelly with a small squirt of low fat canned cream.

Also low fat rice pudding and low fat custard occasionally.

When I did the Michael Molesly blood sugar diet there was a recipe for Brazil nut brownies.. I used to freeze the batch and defrost one a day and have with yogurt...

I've just lost 4 stone following a slimming world plan
Had dessert every night - usually fat free yoghurt , melon , strawberries, blueberries, with a crumbled skinny whip or 2 squares of dark chocolate

Greek yoghurt mixed with puréed strawberries (no sugar obvs), into the freezer. Frozen yoghurt tastes like ice cream.

Better still is to wean your brain off expecting / craving sweet tastes ending a meal.

I keep individual chocolates or individual squares of chocolate in the freezer and take one or two out each evening - stops me eating the whole damn thing!

Little pancakes with frozen blueberries or raspberries. You could probably make a batch and freeze them, although I never have.

These Alpro chocolate potstaste really decadent and aren't very high in calories.

I have a cup of tea or coffee with sweetener if I crave something sweet after dinner. .

Would you typically have desert every night? If it’s only once or twice a week (which to me is normal!) then you can have something more exciting as long as it fits in your overall calories for the day/week. Harder to manage every day though.

Can you try and find something to look forward to in the evening that isn’t food?

I know it’s easy to say, but if you can think of food as fuel, or a means to an end (weight loss) rather than a treat or the only thing to look forward to, I think that would really help.

So have your dinner, then line up a walk, a class, a video call with a friend, a craft activity - whatever you can anticipate and will give you some pleasure, or even just distraction. It’s a long night thinking about chocolate if you move to the sofa early evening and settle in watching telly.

But they’re ultra processed, and the OP is cutting that out.

I have also cut out sugar and UPFs. I know you said not fruit but what about dried fruit?

Dried dates don't spike your blood sugar. I have three Medjool dates every evening. I fill with a small amount of peanut butter and a tiny bit of salt. They are delicious and feel very indulgent. Sometimes for a change I will chop them up and put in full fat Greek yoghurt with some chopped nuts.

Oooohhhh what a fab idea! Definitely putting more Greek yogurt on my food shop list specifically for this.

Chia seed pudding. There are endless recipes online. Nicer if you mix it, let it sit for a bit then blend it to improve the texture.

A couple of medjool dates.

Fruit after dinner messes your digestion apparently so a no go.

Doesn't mess up mine.

Fruit with Greek yogurt and a measured quantity of nuts eg 10g is good. It can be warm - a chopped up apple mixed with cinnamon and/or other spices microwaved until soft is quick and comforting.

The thing about the 'one or two squares of chocolate' is that it must be good high cocoa stuff, which gives the chocolate hit without eating loads of it - I can't imagine wanting more than a couple of 85%, 90% or even 100% montezuma. If you get used to that, other chocolate tastes insipid and over-sweet.

Another vote for medjool dates.

Great if you need a clear cut

Warmed fig with cinnamon and some Greek yogurt is lush too.

I have a licorice and peppermint tea after dinner each evening which helps with the sudden sugar cravings after dinner, it does get much easier once you stop eating sugar.

Then do something with your hands or change your routine from something which isn't passive/snack orientated - much tougher! But best results.

piece of Stilton or a bit of honey?