Sometimes there is just no way around the sweet cravings. I’m more than willing to admit that at the end of a long day when I settle in for an episode or two of the latest Netflix addiction (we’re loving Broadchurch), there is nothing I want more than to polish off a block of chocolate. That evening time is dangerous!
The most helpful strategy I have found to manage these cravings is to be prepared for when my sweet-toothed alter ego appears. I will pick something sweet and healthy which I know I can look forward to enjoying and not have to worry about sabotaging my goals.
So, if you’re trying to reduce your sugar intake while still managing late-night sugar cravings, try these on for size.
At a glance, you might think: ‘Clare, these aren’t low carbohydrate at all!’ ‘You’ve included fruits and grains, that can’t be right!”. It’s true I have included some foods that naturally contain carbohydrate and sugar, like fruit. But ‘low carb’ doesn’t have to mean ‘no carb’. While there isn’t actually an consensus on what constitutes ‘low carb’, a good rule of thumb when trying to reduce sugar intake is to look for foods and products which have less that 15g of sugar per 100g (1), which all of these recipes do!
What’s more, the carbohydrate and sugar in fruit is also packed up with vitamins, minerals and fibre, which all help deliver those sugars in the most effective way. So, compared to the traditional sugar craving selection these whole food sweet treats will be a much better choice than biscuits and ice-cream.
1. Chocolate Covered StrawberriesIngredients:
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2. Apple and Peanut Butter NachosIngredients:
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3. Chocolate SmoothieIngredients:
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4. Mini Berry Crumbles (makes 6)Ingredients:
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5. Chocolate Yoghurt Dip and FruitCheck out our delicious Chocolate Yoghurt Dip. Try 1 serve (1/4 of the recipe) with a punnet of strawberries and you have a great low carb sweet treat. Nutrition info:
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References
NHMRC. How to understand food labels. The Australian Government, Department of Health and Ageing. Updated 2015