Constantly craving sweets? I feel you, life is not how it used to be! Change your mood by focusing on fueling up with these health, low added sugar dessert recipes. They’ll keep your hunger at bay and your sweet tooth satisfied… pinky promise!
Does low sugar mean no sugar?
Not necessarily.
Let’s rewind first. You need to understand the difference between the TYPES of sugar out there.
While this post here talks about those “zero or no calorie” alternatives like stevia and monk fruit, I want to keep this particular piece a bit more basic.
Let’s start with added sugar.
Added sugar is added to food through processing and preparation to enhance the palatability (aka taste) of the food. This imparts not only calories but also carbohydrates from the sugar. Take a peak at the ingredient list; dextrose, cane sugar, etc., all are added sources of sugar. (P.S. I’ve also got the full list in my 25 Gram Added Sugar Challenge here.)
Excess consumption of added sugar from packaged snacks, breads, and added sugar baked goods have also been associated with a variety of different conditions like obesity, Type 2 Diabetes, and heart disease.
Now, let’s touch on natural sugar.
Natural sugar is present in a variety of different whole foods. For instance, the sugar lactose is found in milk, yogurt, cheese and other dairy. The sugar fructose is found naturally in fruits and vegetables. Consumption of natural sugar is not associated with any preventable diseases like obesity (i.e. eating a banana will not make you gain weight!)
Bottom line: To follow a low sugar diet, choose foods made with whole foods sources of natural sugar, like the low sugar dessert recipes below!
What are the recommendations for sugar in the diet?
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015 (DGA) recommends no more than 10% of daily calories (about 12 teaspoons, 1 teaspoon = 4 grams) come from them!
A simple rule of thumb is no more than 25 grams of added sugar per day for adult females, and no more than 37 grams of added sugar for adult males.
How can you lower added sugar in the diet?
Follow these tips!
- Focus on choosing snacks that don’t require a label, like fresh fruits, vegetables and lean protein, like nuts.
- Be a smart shopper.
- Look at the label, choose items where there is minimal to no added sugar.
Most importantly, remember:
All foods can fit, but be mindful of portions and limit added sugars in your total dietary pattern.
Just because you’ve always made your cake with 1 cup sugar, doesn’t mean it won’t taste just as good if you try to reduce the sugar and sub in natural sugars from fruits like apples!
20 Healthy Dessert Recipes
These 10 are so simple to make and satisfying for the entire family to enjoy!
Sweet Hummus – Aka Brownie Batter Hummus
Maple Sunflower Seed Dessert Dip
These 10 take a tad bit longer to prepare, but are 100% worth it!
Fodmap Friendly Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Muffins
I’d love to hear what you think about this low sugar dessert recipes! Did you make one!? Comment below and tag me (@shawsimpleswaps) on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest. I’d love to reshare!
Cynthia Kay Quaile says
For those of us that have low sugar intake this is a fablious find. Thanks a million now i won’t feel deprived of the sweets that I love.
Elizabeth Shaw says
That is amazing! I hope you enjoy!
Chelsey says
So many DELISH low sugar recipes…YUM!
Nancy says
Great roundup Liz! Thanks for including my Mango Cashew Energy Bites recipe!
Elizabeth Shaw says
Delicious recipe- thank you Nancy!
Jessica @ Nutritioulicious says
Amazing job on your segment – you are such a natural! And this is a great roundup. Thanks for including a couple of my recipes 🙂
Elizabeth Shaw says
Anytime Jess- you are so kind, thank you!
Emily says
I just watched your segment, you did amazing as always! Love this round up, thanks for including my Pink Spring Rolls <3
Elizabeth Shaw says
Ah, of course! Thanks Em, you are the best!
Brittany Poulson says
Great post and clarification on this topic! Thanks for including my Strawberry Kiwi Popsicles in the round-up!
Elizabeth Shaw says
Absolutely! Thanks for your contribution!