Healthy Desserts: Show Your Body Love With These Nutritious Indulgences
Earlier this week, we discussed the importance of self-compassion and how to show your body love. When we approach exercise, nutrition, weight loss, immunity and other health practices from a place of truly loving and accepting ourselves, we see numerous psychological and physical benefits and outcomes. Continuing with that theme, today we’re sharing three indulgent recipes for healthy desserts. They taste oh-so-sinful, yet are still healthy and nourishing for your body.
These recipes are a beautiful way to demonstrate love for yourself, and take a creative break from rigid views of nutrition and dieting. Whether you’re celebrating a big event, or simply celebrating your own health journey and progress, try these yummy and nourishing healthy desserts today!
Healthy Peanut Butter Milkshake
This peanut butter shake has an ice cream-like texture, and it tastes just like a peanut butter cup. But you’ll be shocked when you realize that it’s gluten-free, completely vegan, and also very low in sugar. What little sugar there is comes from the frozen bananas, which are high in immunity-boosting antioxidants. And coconut milk is a powerful source of MCT fats, which may help to boost your metabolism. Finally, this milkshake is rich in protein, so go ahead — have dessert for breakfast!
3 frozen bananas
1/3 cup natural, organic peanut butter
1/2 cup full-fat coconut milk
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp maple syrup (optional)
Add all the ingredients to a blender and blend until creamy. Enjoy!
Black Bean Chocolate Cake
It looks like traditional chocolate cake. It tastes like traditional chocolate cake. But it holds a shocking secret: Its fluffy appearance and rich, creamy texture comes in part due to black beans.
Yes, this luxuriously rich chocolate cake is made with beans, meaning it’s high in protein, fiber, and numerous essential minerals that help fuel your brain health, your immune system, and more. Healthy desserts like this one prove you can have your cake, and eat it guilt-free too!
One 15-oz can of black beans (make sure they aren’t seasoned or flavored!), rinsed and drained
6 local, organic eggs
1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp salt
5 1/2 tbsp coconut oil
1/2 cup + 2 tbsp local, organic honey
6 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tsp baking powder
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. While the oven is heating, grease a 9-inch cake pan, then dust it with some cocoa powder.
Add the beans, three eggs, vanilla and salt to your blender and blend until creamy. Pour the mixture into a big mixing bowl.
In a separate bowl, combine the coconut oil with the honey and three eggs. Beat well, then fold in the bean mixture, cocoa powder and baking powder.
Pour into the pan and bake for 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean. Allow it to cool and enjoy!
Strawberry Ice Cream
Enjoy this ice cream on its own, or pair it with the chocolate cake above for the perfect combination of healthy desserts. It’s completely vegan, it’s low on the glycemic index (despite tasting sweet!), and the strawberries are a potent source of antioxidants and fiber.
3/4 cup full-fat coconut milk
2 cups frozen strawberries
1/16 tsp pure stevia extract
1/4 tsp vanilla
Add all the ingredients to a food processor and process for 60 seconds. Don’t do it any longer, or else the result may be too thin. Scrape the mixture into a bowl and let it chill in your freezer for two hours, then enjoy!
Want More Healthy Desserts? Keep Reading:
Healthy Chocolate Ice Cream – Non-Dairy & Easy 4 Ingredient Recipe