Weight loss is the toughest challenge anyone can take on in their life. Though the output is life-changing, it demands consistent effort. In order to stay in shape, one has to spend hours in the gym and stay away from their favourite foods. With some motivation, we can somehow complete our daily workouts, but controlling the cravings becomes a challenge.
Whether you are on a weight loss journey or following any other strict diet, desserts are one of the food items that we often crave. Whenever someone eats any sweet treats in front of us, we are tempted to have a bite of them. But doing so can ruin all the efforts you have made on your journey to this point. So, what to do?
Do not worry if you are in the same situation. We have brought to you five guilt-free desserts that will satisfy your cravings without adding a lot of calories to your diet. All these desserts are under 200 calories and are prepared with nutritious ingredients like bananas, peanut butter, walnuts, ragi, oats, dates, and sweet potatoes. But make sure to consume them in moderation, as eating more than one serving can increase your calorie intake, which can make your cheat meal a regret the next day:
Chocolate-Peanut Butter Cookies
As chocolate is the most popular flavour for all kinds of desserts, let's start with chocolate-peanut butter cookies. It is made with natural peanut butter, brown sugar, cocoa powder, coconut oil, and chocolate chips. Being delicious in taste, you can also carry it anywhere. These cookies have approximately 170 calories per serving. According to PharmEasy, peanut butter is rich in various vitamins that also help lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
Banana Walnut Brownie
Brownies are one of our favourite options to curb instant sweet cravings. But they are high in sugar, fat, and calories, which makes them unhealthy. So, why not make our own healthy brownies at home? This yummy sweet treat is made with rolled oats, bananas, unsweetened cocoa powder, walnuts, and eggs. Prepared within an hour, this brownie contains approximately 160 calories per serving. As bananas are high in potassium and walnuts offer protein, this duo is perfect for cheat meals.
Ragi-Oats Ladoo
If you are craving something desi, then try this ragi-oat ladoo. Made with ragi flour, jaggery, oats, and dry fruits, it is rich in fibre, calcium, and iron. This ladoo can be stored for up to twenty days in an airtight container. This Indian sweet has approximately 120 calories, which makes it ideal for a guilt-free cheat meal. Both ragi and oats are good sources of fibre that help keep you full for a long time.
Sweet Potato Halwa
This Indian dessert is very popular during auspicious festivals like Sawan and Navratri. It is made with mashed sweet potatoes, sugar, and low-fat milk, along with the flavours of cardamom and saffron. You can also garnish the halwa with your favourite dry fruits and nuts. If you want to make it healthier, replace white sugar with jaggery or coconut sugar. It contains about 170 calories per serving. According to Healthline, sweet potatoes are high in fibre and antioxidants, which makes them a great addition to cheat meals.
Dates Kheer
This classic dessert has a rich and creamy flavour that will steal your heart for sure. Also known as khajoor payasam, it is made with seedless dates, almonds, cashews, milk, and cardamom powder. Along with being delicious, it is also prepared in less than half an hour. Though it is slightly higher in calories, i.e., about 200 per serving, that shouldn’t be a problem; after all, it’s a cheat meal. Date kheer contains a good amount of fibre that supports gut health.