Who doesn’t love dessert? But when you’re trying to cut back on sugar, sometimes healthy low-sugar desserts can be hard to find. Check out these six delicious low-sugar desserts and snacks that’ll satisfy your sweet tooth without adding any extra sweeteners!
If you’re following the Jenny Craig program, chat with your consultant before trying these so you can stay on track with your weight loss goals.
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1. Citrus berry frozen yogurt
Whip up a homemade batch of froyo by mixing fresh berries into fat-free, unsweetened Greek yogurt (or your favorite unsweetened nondairy yogurt). Leave the berries whole for bite-sized pops of flavor or blend them up and swirl into your yogurt for a smoother texture. Stir in a little zest from an orange, lemon or lime and place the mixture in the freezer until solid.
QuotePro tip: Create individual servings for a low-sugar snack. Stick to a 2/3 cup of yogurt and ¾ cup of berries for an appropriate portion size.
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2. Spiced fruit crisp
Warm and comforting, a delicious fruit crisp is the perfect low-sugar dessert any time of the year. First, make your crunchy topping: Our Simply Inspired Homemade Granola comes together in just 20 minutes!
Next, choose your favorite fruit (we love apples, berries and peaches). Peel and chop the fruit into small pieces and add to a pot with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Add a dash of spice — cinnamon, nutmeg, and even pumpkin spice are all great choices. Cook the fruit on low heat until it’s soft. Add the cooked fruit to a bowl and top with your homemade granola. Yum!
QuotePro tip: A small apple, ¾ cup berries, or 1 medium peach is what we recommend for a single serving of fruit.
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3. Healthy banana ice cream
Our Simply Inspired Banana Ice Cream is a tasty dairy-free, low-sugar treat on its own — but it’s even better served with a Jenny Craig dessert. Making this ice cream is really easy — the hardest part is waiting for it to freeze! For a twist on the classic flavor, add cocoa powder, strawberries or matcha to frozen, blended bananas to make three refreshing desserts.
QuotePro tip: These recipes make enough for two servings, so split a batch of ice cream with a friend, or save half for later.
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4. Grilled fruit
You only need a few minutes to turn regular fruit into a low-sugar, sweet snack or sophisticated dessert. Grilling fruit brings out its natural sweetness without needing to add any sugar.
Cut watermelon or pineapple into thick slices (thin pieces will break apart too easily). If you’re using stone fruits, like peaches or nectarines, slice the fruit in half and remove the pit before placing on the grill. Choose slightly under-ripe stone fruit that can stand up to the high heat of the grill.
Heat your grill on medium high for 10 minutes, then scrape the grate down and lightly oil it before adding fruit to prevent sticking. Or, skip outdoor cooking and use a grill pan instead — just remember to spritz the pan with cooking spray before grilling.
QuotePro tip: Stick to a single serving of grilled fruit: 1 ¼ cup watermelon, ¾ cup pineapple, a small nectarine, or a medium-sized peach.
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5. Dark chocolate banana bites
Instead of choosing a sugary candy bar, munch on these amazing low-sugar snacks! Keep an eye on the sugar content in the chocolate by checking out the nutrition label. Darker, more bittersweet chocolate is the perfect pairing with this naturally sweet fruit.
Melt two small squares of dark chocolate and cut a peeled banana into bite-sized pieces. Dip the banana into the chocolate and place on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. For a little crunch, sprinkle a couple crushed almonds or peanuts over the top. Refrigerate until the chocolate hardens and enjoy!
QuotePro tip: Half of a banana is the perfect amount for one serving. Blend the other half into a smoothie (or smoothie bowl) to enjoy later — or pop it in the freezer and make banana ice cream another night!
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6. Nutritious smoothie bowl
Smoothies are a bright and refreshing way to quench your thirst while getting plenty of nutrients, but you can also turn them into a filling low-sugar snack or breakfast by adding a few healthy toppings. If you’re working toward a weight loss goal, dial back the amount of fruit and add in some non-starchy vegetables instead! Spinach, kale, carrots, and even cauliflower are all yummy, healthy add-ins and taste great with fruit.
Start by blending up this berry-licious Blueberry Cauliflower Smoothie, or this delicious Green Goddess Smoothie. Then, pour your smoothie into a bowl and sprinkle a ¼ cup of granola, a small amount of chopped nuts, or a small portion of fruit on top for extra flavor and texture.
QuotePro tip: Measure out the fruit you use for your smoothie bowl. When you blend everything together, it can be easy to accidentally eat more than one serving! The amount of fruit included in these smoothie recipes is portioned to help support weight loss.
Cut back on added sugar with these low-sugar desserts and snacks!
Rather than reaching for sugar-sweetened snacks and desserts, opt for healthy options with natural sugars instead, like fresh or frozen fruit. Fruit is full of dietary fiber, which is great for digestion, can help control blood sugar levels, and may help you stay satisfied between meals.
- Looking for more ways to reduce your sugar intake? These 10 simple tips can help.
- Plus, get even more low-sugar dessert ideas with these 10 sweet treat alternatives!
- If you’re looking for a low-sugar weight loss plan, Jenny Craig has got one! Check out our variety of menu plans that include a low sugar option.
Do you have a healthy go-to dessert? Comment below to share!
Stephanie Eng-Aponte
Stephanie Eng-Aponte is a copywriter for Jenny Craig and has written for the health and wellness, tech, and environmental industries. Stephanie graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Media Studies. They employ an “eat first, write later” approach to food blogging and enjoy the occasional Oxford comma. Outside of writing, you can find them photographing a muttley crew of rescue pups, brewing kombucha, or exploring San Diego.
Favorite healthy snack: green apple slices with sunflower butter
Reviewed by Briana Rodriquez, RDN
Briana is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Personal Trainer for Jenny Craig, based in Carlsbad, California. She is passionate about utilizing food as functional and preventative medicine. Guided by a simplistic and optimistic approach, Briana’s philosophy is to help people improve their health and achieve their goals through the development of sustainable habits to live a healthy life. In her free time, you can find her strength training, indoor cycling, coffee tasting, and at local eateries with her husband and two dogs.
Favorite healthy snack: peanut butter with celery alongside a grapefruit-flavored sparkling water (so refreshing!)
QuoteThis article was written by an experienced health and lifestyle contributor and fact-checked by Briana Rodriquez, RDN, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist at Jenny Craig.
Our goal at Jenny Craig is to provide the most up-to-date and objective information on health-related topics, so our readers can make informed decisions based on factual content. All articles undergo an extensive review process, and depending on topic, are reviewed by a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or Nutritionist, to ensure accuracy.
This article contains a trusted source. All references are hyperlinked at the end of the article to take readers directly to the source.
Edited by Stephanie E - Jenny Craig
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