December 1, 2014

6 quick and easy healthy holiday treats!

The holidays are here! Normally this conjures up images of huge platters loaded with high calorie sweets or people suffering from a sugar induced hangover…but we have another way!  With some thoughtful planning and these quick recipes you can keep from overindulging on those calorie laden treats.

Try out these 6 recipes for treats that you can make that are delicious, quick to make, and easy on your waistline.

1. Chocolate dipped strawberries:

  1. Dip in melted semi-sweet chocolate.
  2. Refrigerate.

2. Chocolate-peanut butter popcorn: 

  1. Pop a bag of popcorn.
  2. Top with 1 tablespoon melted peanut butter and a dusting of cocoa powder.

3. Frozen chocolate banana:

  1. Peel a banana, cut into two equal halves, and freeze.
  2. Once solid, take out and roll in melted dark chocolate.
  3. While the chocolate is still soft, roll in sprinkles, nuts, or granola all work well!
  4. Return to the freezer until the chocolate is set (at least an hour).

 

These chocolate and peanut butter covered pretzels satisfy your sweet tooth AND give you an extra shot of protein!

4. Peanut Butter and Chocolate Pretzels:

 

 

  1. Melt dark chocolate and natural peanut butter until melted.
  2. Dip large or mini pretzel rods.
  3. (optional) While the chocolate is still melty, roll in chopped nuts.

5. Banana ice cream:

  1. Freeze a banana.
  2. Mash the banana in a bowl.
  3. Enjoy plain or swirl in some coco powder or some peanut butter.

6. Frozen Greek Yogurt Drops:

  1. Combine 1 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt with ½ cup frozen berries
  2. Stir until the fruit has broken down and the mixture has an even consistency.
  3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and drop 1/4 teaspoons of the mixture onto the sheet, leaving enough room between each drop so they don’t touch.
  4. Freeze for a few hours until solid and pour all the drops into a plastic baggie. Store in the freezer until ready to eat!

Although these recipes are healthier than most of the snacks and deserts you’ll encounter this season, remember to pay attention to your portion size. Healthy doesn’t mean calorie free!

Don’t forget to share!  Even though we’ve only posted the individual size recipes it’s just as easy to make any of the recipes we’ve shared for a group.  I’m sure there will be others that will thank you for not bringing grandma’s gooey, buttery sugar bars to the holiday party this year.

 

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