10 Secretly Healthy Desserts for Pregnancy

These sweet treats are loaded with delicious flavors and plenty of pregnancy-friendly nutrients to keep you and your growing baby healthy.

Whether you’re in your first trimester or your last, the dessert struggle is real. That pint of Ben & Jerry’s looks mighty tempting right about now (or, um, always), but you know it’s not the best thing for you or your burgeoning babe. What’s a sweet-toothed mama to do? Easy…whip up one of these preg-friendly dessert ideas, which taste good and pack an extra nutritious punch for you and your cutie. So, go ahead, mama… indulge!

GREEK YOGURT WITH CITRUS AND MINT

The thick, creaminess of Greek yogurt feels indulgent enough to scratch that itch for a treat. Punch it up with grapefruit and orange segments plus a sprinkle of chopped mint for a dessert recipe that packs 11 grams of protein and less than 200 calories, plus a dose of braindevelopment–boosting vitamin C.

ANGEL FOOD CAKE WITH STRAWBERRIES OR FRUIT COMPOTE

When you have a hankering for cake, reach for this light-as-a-cloud option (grill it for a summer BBQ treat). It contains zero fat and tastes great with fresh strawberries or a dollop of nosugar-added fruit compote. Craving that calcium? Add a small scoop of strawberry ice cream and you’re good to go.

FRUIT SUNDAE

How’s this for a no-recipe dessert? Instead of topping that fro-yo with a sprinkle of chopped fruit, flip the script and start with a generous base of whatever fruit is in season (we love blueberries), then add a small scoop of the creamy stuff to dress it up. If you have a grill or grill pan handy, throw some nectarines or peaches on there - searing them will bring out even more of the fruit’s natural sweetness. You can also use dried figs, which contain high levels of non-dairy-based calcium if you’re throwing in a scoop of vegan “ice cream” instead.

DARK CHOCOLATE FROZEN BANANAS

There’s a reason we all loved these as kids - the creaminess from the potassium-loaded bananas pairs so well with a dip or drizzle of rich chocolate (using a dark variety adds antioxidants). Before sticking them in the freezer, while the cocoa layer is still setting, roll your ‘nanas in chopped nuts for a protein boost and some added crunch.

CHOCOLATE-AVOCADO MOUSSE

It sounds weird, we know, but wait until you taste it: Ripe avocado gives you a creamy base to work with—plus a hit of healthy fats, folate and potassium, while the cocoa powder adds both richness and sweetness. Think of this dessert recipe as a totally grown-up Snack Pack.

CHOCOLATE-COVERED PEANUTS

Here’s another winning combo of protein, healthy fats and just a little guilty pleasure. It’s great post-dinner, but you could also easily throw a handful into a plastic baggie for an on-the-go indulgence.

MINT-CHOCOLATE FRAPPE

On a hot day, this classy dessert recipe provides you with calcium from the low-fat milk, and the addition of mint helps easy a queasy tummy.

COCOA-DUSTED POPCORN

Popcorn is an A+ treat because it’s low in calories but filling, thanks to the high fiber content. A dusting of cocoa powder on unbuttered popcorn turns it into a savory-sweet dessert recipe perfectly suited to sate your chocolate craving. Mix in some peanuts, and you’ve packed in some protein, too.

SWEET POTATO CUSTARD

Speaking of dessert recipes with a savory edge, this favorite is packed with just as many carotenoids and just as much fiber, folate and vitamin A. (Just make sure to look for a recipe that goes easy on the refined sugar)

APPLESAUCE OATMEAL RAISIN COOKIES

Substitute applesauce for some of the oil in your favorite oatmeal cookie recipe, and you’ve still got deliciously chewy cookies that won’t pack as much fat. Plus, using whole rolled oats can help lower your risk for high cholesterol and diabetes.

The content was originally published at Stemlife Regen Magazine on April-June 2017.
Author : Sarah Bruning