8 Secretly Healthy Desserts for Pregnancy Cravings
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 brain-development–boosting vitamin C.
Angel Food Cake with Strawberries or Fruit Compote
When you have a craving 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 no-sugar-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.
RELATED: Get the Recipe
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.
RELATED: Best Pregnancy Snacks
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.
Applesauce Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Sub in applesauce for some of the oil in your favorite oatmeal cookie recipe (or try our recipe!), and you've 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. (And here's a tip: Most of the time, you can get away with cutting the sugar called for in a recipe by a 1/4 without sacrificing taste.)
