Feeling a bit deprived when you skip dessert? Hoping to lose weight or your doctor has recommended that you curb your sugar intake? It sounds like a low carb dessert is the way to go. These desserts will satisfy your dessert cravings as well as help you along with your weight-loss efforts or with your doctor-approved diet journey. Low carb desserts are exactly what you need if your dietary focus has shifted more toward a reduction in carbohydrates. Not only are there weight loss benefits, but there are also many other health benefits that you may realize by incorporating low carb desserts into your everyday eating habits. From improved heart health to decreased acne breakouts, the benefits abound when you include low carb desserts like berry parfaits and sugar-free cheesecake in a healthy eating program. Read on to find out more about a few low carb desserts that can improve your health and lifestyle.
1 - Raspberry Parfait
For this low carb treat, alternate layers of raspberries with a blend of avocado and coconut cream in a glass. Top with your favorite roasted nuts or seeds for added protein and fat. Then for a boost of flavor, sprinkle with ground cinnamon or cacao powder. This low carb dessert will help you feel fuller, longer. It will facilitate an increase in your metabolism which will support your weight loss efforts because you will eat less often and burn more calories between meals.
2 - Fruit Smoothie
Try a delicious low carb, fruit smoothie for heart health. Simply add a half cup of blueberries and a quarter cup of yogurt to 2 cups of coconut milk. Blend until smooth. Add a dash of lemon or lime juice or almond extract for a nice twist in this super simple, heart healthy dessert.
The reason low carb desserts are good for your heart is that they tend to improve triglyceride levels in the blood. Excess consumption of carbs has been found to increase fatty triglycerides in the bloodstream. Lowering carb intake, even with desserts, helps to keep triglyceride levels low, thus improving heart health. Also, low carb, higher fat foods contribute to an increase in good cholesterol levels in the blood which has been found to lower your risk of heart disease.
3 - Vanilla Ice Cream
Low carb ice cream could not be easier to make. Just blend coconut milk with your favorite sugar-free sweetener, vanilla extract, and salt. Churn the mixture in an ice cream maker or freeze it until solid and blend again in a high speed blender. Try out natural sweeteners like monk fruit and Stevia as sugar replacements in this ice cream. Also, consider artificial sweeteners like sucralose, but keep in mind that they may have adverse effects on your digestive health.
4 - Peanut Butter Cookies
These peanut butter cookies are low carb because you make them with unsweetened peanut butter, and almond or coconut flour, and a sugar-free sweetener of your choice. If you are diabetic, these low carb, sugar-free cookies are delicious and satisfying and will help you keep your blood sugar low and better manage your blood sugar levels. As a matter of fact, any low carb, sugar free dessert would be a great treat if you are diabetic.
These cookies are powerful brain boosters because they are high in fat, low in starch and low in sugar, all of which have been shown to have significant neurological benefits. Consuming low carb desserts along with an overall low carb dietary lifestyle has been found to improve brain and nerve function. Such low carb eating can improve recovery after a concussion injury, decrease seizures for epileptics, and help manage Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disorders. Studies are ongoing to better understand how low carb eating improves brain activity.