Pointlessly.org

I added a new page, “Healthy Dessert Alternatives,” so I figured I’ll post the content as a blog entry, too!

So, as part of my new eating plan, my sister and I have created healthy alternatives to dessert we used to like.

Fruit Parfait

Instead of eating parfaits from restaurants that are normally 300-400 calories (for example, the Fresh Berry Parfait from Corner Bakery Cafe) filled with too much granola or too much yogurt (although yummy), you can make your own at home. You don’t have to spend that extra money, and you’ll be eating healthier, and have parfaits whenever you want!

You need the Dannon Light ‘n Fit Vanilla Yogurt (60 calories for the whole thing), strawberry (1 cup, halves; 50 calories), Cascadian Farm’s Cinnamon Raisin Granola (about 1/6 of a cup; 55 calories).

So what I do is I take a small plate/bowl (or one of those dishes in-between), and I use half of the yogurt. Then I put as many strawberries as I want. I usually cut a strawberry into many pieces; I cut it in half, and then half, then another half again. I use around 2-3 strawberries. Then take the Cinnamon Raisin Granola, a very small handful (not even a handful…just enough so that you can hold it in between your fingers), and sprinkle it on top of your parfait. It is very delicious and satisfying, and is more than half times less calories than what you’d get otherwise (30+50+55=135)!

Chocolate Fondue Replacement

I really love chocolate fondue, especially chocolate fondue coming out of a chocolate fountain. But first off, I know I never get to eat fondue unless on special occasions, but when I do, I always want a LOT of it. So, I came up with a healthy alternative to fondue.

You’ll need: Jell-O Chocolate Sugar-Free Pudding, strawberries, and bananas.

Cut the strawberry leaf parts off of the strawberries, and then peel a banana and cut it into small slices. I just put half of the pudding into a bowl, and dip my strawberries and bananas in, hands-on.

Caloric-wise, you get about: 30 (for half of the jell-o), 45 (1 cup, whole strawberries), 45 (for 1/2 of a small banana). Total: 120 calories.