How to Find a Low-Calorie Dessert

Low-cal desserts need not be tasteless.

Most people enjoy a sweet treat after dinner or as a snack during the day but they end up feeling deprived when they discover the dessert they crave is full of high-calorie ingredients and unhealthy fats. Fortunately, some decadent low-calorie alternatives will satisfy your sweet tooth without packing on the pounds. Whether you want to purchase ready-made desserts or make your own, follow some sweet-savvy guidelines and you’ll have your cake and eat it, too.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Fresh Fruits
• Low-Calorie, Low-Sugar Snacks
• Sucralose-Sweetened Snacks
• Splenda Crystals

1. Become an avid food label reader. Unfortunately, the advertising claims on the front of a box of so-called low-calorie treats don’t always present a clear picture of the true calorie content in a serving. Unscrupulous marketers tempt calorie-conscious consumers with package banners that declare, “Only 90 Calories per Serving.” If you don’t read the ingredient label, you won’t discover that their idea of a serving may only be a couple of bites or one-fourth of that medium-sized cookie.

2. Select a new dessert every week and keep a list of the ones you like and the calorie count. It’s easy to miss some of the best pre-packaged low-calorie desserts if you purchase the same thing every time you shop. As a bonus, you’ll be less likely to go on a high-calorie binge if you have a variety of low-calorie treats.

3. Use sucralose, a by-product of sugar, in your favorite desserts. Made by substituting chlorine atoms for hydrogen atoms in raw sugar, sucralose is the only artificial sweetener deemed safe by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). Generally packaged and sold under the name, “Splenda,” sucralose comes in a granulated form for easy substitution in most recipes. (See Resources.)

4. Indulge yourself with just one or two bites of a favorite dessert for a low-calorie treat that won’t sabotage your diet. When you’re craving a high-calorie taste, sometimes just a nibble will satisfy your craving without leading to an all-out binge. The mistake some dieters make is totally restricting their favorite desserts until they cave in and eat two or three servings in defiance of their own rules.

5. Plan ahead and divide your favorite high-calorie dessert into portions of 100 calories. Allow yourself to eat the allotted portion once a day. You’ll satisfy your cravings while keeping your commitment to a low-calorie diet.

6. Try one or two new low-calorie dessert recipes every week and keep your favorites on file for future reference. (See Resources.)

Tips & Warnings

• Stash low-cal treats at your desk, in your glove box and in your night stand, for quick access when sweet cravings arise.

• Use fruits for low-cal desserts that are healthy.

• Consume low-calorie desserts in moderation during pregnancy. Opt for desserts made with sucralose instead of saccharin or aspartame. Although no conclusive studies show that the latter ingredients are harmful, some pregnant women report nausea and headaches after eating desserts that include saccharin and aspartame. Consult your obstetrician if you have additional concerns.

• If you are diabetic or have other serious health conditions, check with your physician or a nutritionist.

Resources

• Learn more about Splenda.
• Find low-calorie recipes.