Sure, eating healthy may seem easy at first. Once you get into “detox mode” it may seem like nothing can stop you. You went to the grocery store and got your fruits, veggies, proteins, and you’ve meal-prepped (see previous article) almost every meal for the week. You’re even going to the gym every single day. At this point you are literally unstoppable.
Fast-forward three weeks later and you’ve actually lost some weight! You are adapting to this whole clean diet thing because you realize that you feel fuller and more energized when you consume the right foods. This healthy way of life, which once appeared unattainable, is slowly being ingrained into your daily routine and you feel totally accomplished.
Until … the sugar cravings hit.
It may be that you had a rough day, maybe you stumbled upon a dozen doughnuts at work, or to put it simply: you just want some chocolate. Regardless of the trigger, the desire for something sweet will hit you at some point in time. Although a cheat meal will not hinder your health or fitness goals, there are times that you would rather just save the opportunity to give in to temptation and find a guilt-free way to indulge.
Well contrary to popular belief, it is very possible to “cheat clean.” There are tons of crafty ways that you can put together clean ingredients to create an indulgent dessert. All that you have to do is be mindful of the ingredients, watch your portions, and the time of day that you choose to healthily splurge.
Keep scrolling down to find some of the yummiest ways to “cheat clean” and hit that healthy sweet spot!
1. Flourless Fudge Brownies
Sometimes you just need a hearty dose of chocolate and that’s totally acceptable (as long as you do it right). Feel no shame in your chocolate game when whipping up a batch of these fudgy flour- and grain-free brownies from thebigmansworld.com. The best part is that you only need three ingredients to make them (unless you want to add some healthy frosting). Let the death by chocolate commence.
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Image Via thebigmansworld.com
Ingredients:
1 cup mashed, overripe bananas (approximately 3 medium bananas)
1/2 cup smooth almond butter (can sub for any smooth nut butter)
1/4 cup dark cocoa powder
Instructions:
•Preheat the oven the 350 degrees, grease a small cake pan or loaf pan and set aside.
•In a small microwave-safe bowl or stovetop, melt your nut butter. In a large mixing bowl, add the banana, nut butter and cocoa powder and mix very well (or mix with a blender).
•Pour the mixture into the greased pan and bake for around 20 minutes or until cooked through. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely before slicing into pieces.
Enjoy refrigerated.
2. Pumpkin Truffles
Yes, it is fall season and that means pumpkin ‘errthang. Although a Starbucks pumpkin spice latte may contain up to a whopping 450 calories, that doesn’t mean that you have to completely deprive yourself of the season’s favorite flavor.
These little pumpkin truffles give you the perfect dose of pumpkin sweetness without causing you to sacrifice all of your hard work! Recipe courtesy of mywholefoodlife.com.
Ingredients:
For the pumpkin:
1 1/2 cups pumpkin puree (or 1 can pumpkin)
1 cup coconut butter
3 tbsp maple syrup
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
For the chocolate coating:
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
1/4 cup almond milk
Instructions:
•In the food processor, combine all the ingredients for the pumpkin cream. Blend until smooth.
•Stick the food processor bowl in the fridge to firm up a little. About 10 minutes.
•Using a cookie scoop, drop mixture onto a lined baking sheet.
•Place the baking sheet in the freezer to firm while you make the chocolate mixture.
•To make the chocolate use a double boiler method. Fill a saucepan with water and bring it to a boil.
•Place a glass bowl on top of the pot with the water. Add the chocolate chips and almond milk to the glass bowl and gently melt the chocolate.
•Once all the chocolate is melted, use a spoon to drizzle the chocolate over each truffle.
•Place in the fridge to firm up the chocolate.
Please keep these truffles in the fridge. They should last a couple of weeks. You can freeze them for longer storage. Enjoy!
3. Cake Batter Nice Cream
Craving some birthday cake-flavored goodness? Well save yourself the sugar-ridden trip to your local fro-yo shop and whip some cake flavored “nice cream” right at home! Caution: you may want to sing happy birthday to yourself while snacking on this sweet treat.
Recipe courtesy of biggerbolderbaking.com.
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Image Via biggerbolderbaking.com
Ingredients:
1 cup (8oz/225g) plain yogurt (greek, non-fat or full fat)
8 oz cream cheese (light or low fat)
3 tbsp honey
3 tsp vanilla
3 tbsp sprinkles
Instructions:
•Add the cream cheese, honey, yogurt and vanilla into a food processor (or liquidizer).
•Process until creamy, about 2-3 minutes. Scrape down the side of the bowl to make sure there are no lumps left.
•Stir in the sprinkles with a spatula.
•Transfer it to an airtight freezable container and freeze for a minimum six hours, but preferably overnight. Store it in the freezer for up to one month.
4. Vegan Peanut Butter Mug Cake
Sometimes, you just want to make a simple and sweet dessert for one without the hassle of having to spend an hour baking for a party of four that will never arrive. That’s why I love to make mug cakes. They are simple, quick, and delicious while being healthy and nutritious. You can also make them with a variety of ingredients (think vanilla blueberry and chocolate banana).
Try this delicious and rich take on the mug cake with a peanut butter flair. Recipe courtesy of kitchentreaty.com.
Ingredients:
2 tbsp oat or coconut flour
2 tbsp peanut butter (I use all-natural creamy peanut butter)
2 tbsp unsweetened almond milk (could substitute dairy milk for non-vegan version)
1 tbsp pure maple syrup (could substitute stevia honey for non-vegan version)
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
Chocolate chips for topping (optional, but I use Lily’s Stevia Sweetened Chocolate Chips)
Instructions:
•Add all ingredients except the chocolate chips (if using) to an 8-ounce or larger microwave-safe mug. Use a fork to stir together until combined.
•Microwave on high until the cake has risen and springs back slightly when you poke it, about 60 seconds. If it’s not done after 60 seconds, try cooking in 15-second intervals until done.
•Top with chocolate chips or chunks if desired and enjoy hot!