Healthy and Delicious Desserts for the DASH Diet
Indulge in 4 delicious DASH diet desserts handpicked by a knowledgeable dietitian, crafted to be effortlessly scrumptious and delightfully heart-healthy.
4 heart-healthy DASH diet dessert ideas from a dietitian that are easy and tasty.
By Danielle Smith
Dietitian Danielle Smith recommends cherry crumble for a healthy DASH diet dessert. Photo credit: elena_hramowa – Getty/ Danielle Smith
Hey there, sweet-toothed health enthusiasts! If you think following the DASH diet means giving up desserts, think again. Dietitian extraordinaire, Danielle Smith, has got your back with some mouth-watering and guilt-free sweet treats that won’t compromise your heart-healthy goals. So, put that spoon down and get ready for a delicious journey through the world of DASH diet desserts.
1. Deep Dish Cookie Pie
Let’s kick things off with a dessert that’s so good, you won’t even believe it’s healthy – the Deep Dish Cookie Pie. This unconventional recipe sneaks in white beans or chickpeas as a secret ingredient. But fear not, they won’t steal the spotlight from the chocolate chips! Combined and blended until smooth, these ingredients create a protein-packed and fiber-rich dessert. And did we mention it’s free of refined sugar? That’s right! Natural sweeteners keep the sweetness in check so you can joyfully indulge while staying within the DASH diet’s sugar limit. Talk about having your cookie pie and eating it too!
2. Dark Chocolate Covered Frozen Bananas
Prepare yourself for a tantalizing frozen treat that’s as nutritious as it is delicious. The Dark Chocolate Covered Frozen Bananas are a heavenly combination of potassium-rich bananas dipped in dark chocolate and frozen to perfection. Not only will these delightful treats satisfy your sweet tooth, but they’ll also help maintain a healthier sodium-potassium balance in your body. And as if that wasn’t enough, dark chocolate brings antioxidants and flavonoids to the party, which can help lower blood pressure. So, grab a banana, dip it in chocolate, and pop it in the freezer for a cool and guilt-free indulgence.
3. Berries and Whipped Cream
Sometimes, the simplest things bring the most joy. Take Berries and Whipped Cream, for example. It’s a quick and easy dessert that will dazzle your taste buds. Simply top one cup of your favorite berries with a dollop of your preferred whipped topping, and voila! You have a bowl full of natural sweetness, fiber, and a host of vitamins and antioxidants. Strawberries bring vitamin C, while blueberries pack a punch of vitamin K and more antioxidants than you can shake a spoon at. So, grab a spoon and dive into this fruity delight!
4. Cherry Crumble
Last but definitely not least, we present to you the beautifully simple and undeniably scrumptious Cherry Crumble. This vegan and gluten-free dessert combines the sweet-tartness of cherries with a crispy oat and flour topping. Pair it with some whipped cream, and you’ll be well on your way to meeting your daily dairy requirements. But the cherry on top (pun intended) is that cherries, particularly tart cherries, have been shown to help regulate blood pressure. Plus, the oats in the crumble topping provide a healthy dose of fiber, helping you stay fuller for longer and reducing the risk of heart disease. So, go on and treat yourself to this guilt-free indulgence!
So there you have it, folks! Four delectable desserts that prove you don’t have to sacrifice taste for health. Give these recipes a try and let your taste buds dance with delight while your heart smiles. Your DASH diet just got a whole lot sweeter!
For more mouth-watering and healthy recipes, follow Danielle Smith on Instagram.
