Help: Summer Sweet Tooth Attack!
When the weather gets warmer, our craving for cold treats skyrockets as well, or at least mine does. A nice cold margarita , ice cream sundae or Fudgesicle suddenly looks a whole lot better than it did minus a few degrees. So with all this 70-degree Boston weather lately, my sweet tooth is off the wall.
But just ’cause temptations set in doesn’t mean you need to finish an entire gallon of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream or pound 5 martinis. That can’t be healthy (or smart) for anyone. Um, hello, swim suit season is coming up! Don’t worry, girl; I’ve got you covered with some better choices to tame those uncontrollable cravings so you don’t have to miss out on all the fun after all (and you’ll still look killer in a bikini)!
Fro Yo: Rather than diving into a giant ice cream sundae, why not opt for some Fro Yo instead? And no, I’m not talking about the supermarket crap you’ll find loaded with fat and sugar! Opt for some fresh, non fat frozen yogurt at a local ice cream/gelato shop. You’ll find many eateries these days carry the healthy varieties, from sugar free to fat free, still with all the yummy flavor. Last weekend, I paid a visit to Bubble Tea & Berry, which had several flavors of nonfat frozen yogurt to choose from, plus tons of fresh, wholesome options to add on top! Best part about it: it was self serve so I didn’t need to get the over sized cone). I filled my cup with a teeny bit of chocolate/vanilla frozen yogurt, topped with fresh strawberries and blackberries. Other fun toppings included nuts, chocolate chips, fresh coconut and kiwi! The small portion satisfied my sweet tooth in no time, and I walked it off on the way home too!
Greek Yogurt: Speaking of yogurt, Greek yogurt is another option for a good-for-you dessert. Who ever thought you’d ever hear that in the same sentence? Dessert. . . good for you? Yup. Greek yogurt is loaded with nutrients, protein, and calcium, and is naturally low in sugar. Not to mention it supports a healthy digestive system! I like CHOBANI Plain 0% Greek Yogurt with only 100 calories per container, 0 grams of fat, 7 grams of sugar, and a whopping 18 grams of protein! Since it’s not really sweet, I like to add fresh berries or banana, walnuts, flax seed oil and a little cinnamon to spruce it up! So delicious!
Order Drinks on the Rocks: OK, I know we’re girls, but enough already with those girly fruity-pettutie drinks. If you really want something that sweet, you may as well buy some Juicy Juice! When you’re out with friends, try to stick with drinks “On the Rocks.” Vodka on the Rocks (or Vodka Soda) with a splash of cranberry of pineapple is always a delicious option, with a sweet burst to complement the bitterness. And if you’re out for Mexican night, get your Margarita on the Rocks with natural agave syrup to save loads of calories compared to the frozen blended variety (which uses a high sugar, high cal mix).
Freeze Fresh Fruit: It’s never fun when you buy a ton of fresh berries, only to have them go bad in just a few short days. Instead, why not freeze them to make them last longer and taste just as delicious (or even more)! I like freezing strawberries, blueberries, mango, and even grapes. It’s perfect for a quick fresh snack on the go, or to cool you down on a hot day. Trader Joe’s and other supermarkets also sell fruit already frozen so you don’t even have to do the work. Trader Joe’s Very Cherry Blend is low and calorie and absolutely to-die-for, made up of Bing cherries, strawberries, blueberries and raspberries. You can eat those babies right out the bag they’re so good!
