Food Trend: Better-for-You Desserts
It’s almost the season for New Year’s resolutions, and while many consumers vow to diet, many know that total dessert deprivation is never sustainable long-term. A new trend in better-for-you desserts gives consumers the ability to indulge without the guilt, as wholesome treats with added health benefits are sure to satisfy even the sweetest of teeth. Advanced Biotech takes a look at some of the flavors that are delighting dieters and wellness fanatics alike and replacing traditional confections on dinner tables and menus everywhere.
Fruit
Often nicknamed “nature’s candy”, fruit’s natural sweetness and various nutrients makes it a go-to for many consumers looking to make a healthy swap. Frozen, fruits like mangoes, raspberries, and strawberries makes for delicious fruit pops and sorbets without added sugars and preservatives. Frozen bananas can also be frozen and blended into single-ingredient “nice cream”, and paired with wholesome toppings like granola, honey, and cacao nibs. Applesauce sweetened naturally with cinnamon and other warming spices is a popular seasonal substitute, while cooked berries can be combined with almond flour and oats to make simplified crumbles. Packed with various vitamins, beneficial health properties, and natural sweetness, fruits are the ultimate ingredients for any better-for-you option.
Coconut
Loved for its unique texture and subtle sweetness, coconut has become a popular ingredient in many healthy desserts. Combined with dates and rolled into balls, coconut is a key ingredients in raw, vegan power balls, and adds a layer of flavor and crunchy mouthfeel to healthy muffins. Rich in manganese, coconut supports bone and digestive health as well as being a powerful anti-oxidant. This tropical fruit can also be utilized in various no-bake bars, blended into smoothies, and combined with oats and nuts to create homemade granola, which is the perfect morning pick-me-up or topping for frozen yogurt.
Chocolate
Believe it or not, chocolate most definitely has its place among the better-for-you dessert trend. Dark chocolate is rich in anti-oxidants, and small doses of chocolate daily is said to boost serotonin, improve blood flow, and lower blood pressure. Blended with avocado, chocolate can make for a delicious vegan pudding, and chocolate chips are a star ingredient in everything from protein-packed trail mixes to health banana oat cookies. Flour-less chocolate cookies and raw chocolate truffles are two healthy-ish desserts that have become popular options for those looking to improve their diet, and nothing beats a few squares of high-quality dark chocolate as the ending to a long day.