After years of battling my own sugar addiction, I was finally able to find a strategy thatworkedto fight my sugar cravings.
The answer?
Finding healthy sweet snacks.
As I attempted to give up sugar, I developed a record of one failed attempt after another. Quitting sugar cold turkey, slowly giving up sugar – you name it, I probably tried it.
It wasn’t until I inadvertently stumbled upon some healthy sweet snack ideas that I was able to successfully curb my sugar cravings.
I’ve always been ahugefan of desserts, so learning how to enjoy treats and desserts without overdoing the sugar finally allowed me to truly embody healthy living. Creating a repertoire of healthy dessert options helped me immensely.
Making healthy snacks that satisfied my sweet tooth was a game-changer.
What should you eat when you crave sugar?
There are so many opinions and suggestions for what to do when sugar cravings strike that it’s overwhelming. From clean eating tips to different activities to keep you distracted, there seem to be countless ideas to curb sugar cravings.
The solution I found to be the most satisfy: eating a sweet snack.
Not just any sweet snack, but a healthy sweet snack.
This way, I am giving my body what it craves – that sweet treat. However, I am doing so without swallowing teaspoons of added sugar and nutrition-less ingredients.
Once I discovered how satisfying sweet snacks can be even when they’re healthy, I was more motivated and confident in my ability to fight sugar cravings in a healthy way.
The trick was finding healthy snacks that would curb my sugar cravings, while also requiring little effort to prepare or create. After a great deal of experimentation along with trial and error, I was able to narrow down some of my favorite healthy sweet snacks.
These healthy sweet snack recipes are easy.
Fighting sugar is a hard enough battle as it is. No one wants to spend hours in the kitchen prepping a simple healthy snack that doesn’t even satisfy your sweet tooth.
These healthy snacks are a great substitute for just about any sweets and treats you might be craving. They can easily be prepared in bulk so you can grab the quickly whenever a sugar craving strikes.
Enjoy these sweet snacks guilt-free during your next break. They’ll help you meet your healthy living goals while still satisfying your sweet tooth and hunger each day!
Try one of these quick, healthy sweet snacks next time you’re craving sugar.
8 Healthy Sweet Snack Recipes
These healthy sweet snack ideas are simple, quick, and sure to satisfy your sugar cravings. Each snack recipe takes just a few minutes to whip up and can be prepared in bulk so you can prep for the week.
These healthy sweet snacks will help you stay on track with your healthy living goals without feeling completely deprived. Try one of these sweet snack recipes to curb your sugar cravings and even the most intense sweet tooth.
One of the healthiest and most satisfying (yet healthy) sweet snack ideas: protein balls.
Protein balls are a great way to quickly satisfy your sugar cravings while still filling your body with some healthy nutrients.
You can create a protein ball recipe of your own using the same basic formula, or try one of these for your next sweet snack.
Peanut Butter Oat Protein Balls
These protein balls contain a combination of peanut butter and honey, giving you that delicious sweet taste your crave. These protein balls are an excellent healthy sweet snack because they are packed with oats, protein, healthy fats and fatty acids.
This snack recipe is easy and quick, so you can put together a ton of protein balls in just a few minutes. You’ll be able to create a stash of these healthy snacks so next time you’re craving sugar, you can grab one quickly to satisfy your cravings.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 cups oats
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 scoop protein powder
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1 TBSP chia seeds
Recipe:
All you have to do is melt the peanut butter and honey together. Heat the peanut butter and honey in a small pan on low on the stove. Once you are able to stir the two together and the peanut butter softens, take off the heat and add to the rest of the ingredients. Be careful not to heat too much or things will be really runny and sticky when you try to form them into balls!
Once that is done, combine all the ingredients together and shape them into balls. (I really struggled with this in the beginning because they were so sticky, but I discovered that if I rolled them out between my palms it worked much better than trying to form them with my fingers).
Immediately place in the refrigerator or freezer for them to harden, and then enjoy! This healthy snack will surely satisfy your sweet tooth.
Chocolate Date Protein Balls
If you’re struggling with a major sugar craving, these protein balls are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. The dates give this recipe a naturally sweet taste, while raisins, oats, pumpkin seed and cacao pack plenty of antioxidants and nutrients into each serving.
This is a great healthy sweet snack option because the fruit makes the recipe taste really sweet, without needing any added sugar at all.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cup pitted dates
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1 cup oats
- 2 TBSP pumpkin seeds
- 1/4 cacao
- 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla
Recipe:
For these protein balls, you’ll want to blend the dates, raisins and pumpkin seeds in a food processor. Once they are mixed together and everything is crumbly, add the rest of the ingredients. Process together until the mixture becomes sticky.
Once that is done, shape the mixture into balls with your hands. Rolling the mix between your palms seems to yield better results than your fingers, as things can get pretty sticky when using your fingers.
Prep these protein balls in bulk and keep them on hand in your fridge for the next time a sugar craving strikes. This sweet snack is sure to help you stay on track!
The next healthy sweet snack idea: fruit-based smoothies.
Another delicious yet really healthy way to satisfy your sweet tooth is to create a fruit-based smoothie. These smoothies contain plenty of natural sugars that will help curb your sugar cravings, but can easily be packed with micronutrients.
Try creating your own smoothie by following this basic layout but adding in your own favorite fruits, or create one of our favorite smoothies below.
Peaches and Cream Smoothie
This smoothie is packed with the perfect blend of fruits and flavors so it tastes just like peaches and cream – but without all the sugar.
The ingredients for this sweet snack recipe can easily be bought in bulk so you can stock up for a while. This quick, simple smoothie recipe is sure to curb even the most intense sugar cravings.
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup peaches
- 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (optional)
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1 frozen banana
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 3-4 ice cubes
Recipe:
Combine all the ingredients into a blender and mix!
So simple, and yet it tastes exactly like an orange creamsicle. This is a delicious healthy sweet snack that is sure to satisfy your taste buds. If you choose to add protein powder, this smoothie will help you stay full longer so you are less tempted to ruin your healthy eating habits with that mid-afternoon hunger.
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Smoothie
Ingredients:
- 1 cup frozen strawberries
- 1 frozen banana
- 3/4 cup almond milk
- 1/2 cup spinach
- 1 scoop chocolate protein powder**
- 3-4 ice cubes
**If you don’t have chocolate protein powder, you can substitute with 1 TBSP cacao plus 2 teaspoons honey or another sweetener. This will give it it’s rich, chocolately taste!
Recipe:
Add all the ingredients to the blender and combine!
This smoothie is one of my favorite healthy dessert options at the end of the day. Every time I drink this smoothie I wish it was bigger because I always want more. It tastes delicious!
Following these simple guidelines, you’ll be able to put together any fruit-based smoothie to help satisfy your sweet tooth.
Mix up 3/4 to 1 cup liquid of your choice, plus 1 frozen banana, 1 cup frozen fruit of your choosing, 1/2 to 1 cup spinach, and any sweetener of your choice. My favorite sweetener is either vanilla or chocolate protein powder, but anything from honey, to agave syrup, maple syrup or dates are a great option.
Frozen Grapes
I used to have the biggest sweet tooth, and my weakness was always the same: ice cream. While I loved most sweet treats like candy, cookies and cake, resisting them was much easier than passing up a bowl of ice cream.
A few years ago, I accidentally stumbled upon frozen grapes and was so surprised to find that their consistency was remarkably similar to ice cream. Freezing grapes thickens them up, giving the inside that smooth, creamy texture that I craved so much.
A simple healthy sweet snack idea is frozen grapes. All it requires is taking some grapes off the stem and storing them in the freezer. The best part – they will keep for quite a while so you can stock up.
Grapes are naturally sweet, so the taste combined with creamy texture will help satisfy those sugar cravings and allow you to snack away without guilt.
Applesauce
Applesauce has been a great snack to eat quickly that actually tastes very sweet. If you’re looking for fully natural applesauce, you can go with the unsweetened kind, or you could make it yourself by steam apples on your own.
My favorite way to eat homemade applesauce is with a little cinnamon sprinkled on top. If you’re really feeling crazy you could throw some pumpkin pie spice on as well. Sometimes I sweeten it up with honey or agave syrup if necessary, but a little seasoning should do the trick.
Fresh Fruit
One of the simplest healthy sweet snack options is fresh fruit. If you don’t have the time or material to make a smoothie, opting for fresh fruit can be a great alternative and healthy way to satisfy your sugar cravings.
Some of the sweetest fruits include dates, strawberries, mango, cantaloupe, kiwi, peaches, pears, blueberries and raspberries. Apples and oranges are a great option as well.
It’s hard to go wrong with fresh fruit! This healthy sweet snack is packed with micronutrients to keep you strong and feeling good, along with plenty of natural sugars that will help curb those sugar cravings.
Bread with Honey or Agave
If you are dealing with some major sugar cravings, a great way to satisfy them is with a little natural sweetener. One of the best natural sweeteners is honey or agave nectar.
My favorite way to put these sweeteners to use is on a slice of fresh or whole wheat bread. Adding a little honey or agave goes a long way and does wonders for those sugar cravings.
This snack is the perfect option for those battling a major sweet tooth.
These healthy sweet snacks are the best way to satisfy your sugar cravings without ruining any healthy lifestyle choices you’ve been making. Create a routine of choosing some healthier snacks and after just a few days, your palate will begin to change and adapt to these new options.
Before long, you’ll find yourself craving the sweetness of fruits and natural snacks rather than processed, sugar-filled treats.
Enjoy these simple sweet snack recipes at home or on the go. These snack ideas are quick and easy to make in bulk to set you up for success all week long!
More healthy snack ideas:
- The Best Healthy Snacks for Runners
- 10 Delicious Pre and Post Run Snack Ideas
- 7 Ways to Break a Sugar Addiction
