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 Strawberries

Ingredients:

  • 250g punnet of strawberries, diced
  • 20g of dark chocolate

Method:

  • Break the chocolate up into small pieces and microwave on high for 20-30 seconds.
  • Stir and reheat until the chocolate is melted.
  • Drizzle the chocolate over the chopped strawberries.

Nutrition info:

  • Energy: 764 kJ (182 calories)
  • Carbohydrates: 18.6g
  • Sugars: 15g (5.5g per 100g)
 

2. Apple and Peanut Butter Nachos

Ingredients:

  • 1 apple, thinly sliced
  • ½ Tbsp. natural peanut butter
  • Cinnamon

Method:

  • Spread the apple slices on a plate.
  • Drizzle the peanut butter over the apple slices.
  • Sprinkle with cinnamon.

Nutrition info:

  • Energy: 651 kJ (155 calories)
  • Carbohydrates: 20.9g
  • Sugars: 20.4g (11g per 100g)
 

3. Chocolate Smoothie

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup reduced fat milk
  • 20g dark chocolate

Method:

  • Melt the chocolate in the microwave so that it will mix in with the milk.
  • Add the milk and melted chocolate to a blender and blitz until smooth.
  • You could also heat the chocolate on the stove and gradually add milk to make a delicious hot chocolate.

Nutrition info:

  • Energy: 995 kJ (237 calories)
  • Carbohydrates: 21.8g
  • Sugars: 18.6g (7g per 100g)
 

4. Mini Berry Crumbles (makes 6)

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups frozen berries
  • 1 cup tinned apple, drained and diced
  • ½ cup pecans, roughly chopped
  • ½ cup almonds, roughly chopped
  • 1 cup ‘All-Bran’ flakes

Method:

  • Spray oil on an oven tray. Preheat oven to 180 degrees.
  • Mix the berries and the apples together in a bowl and spoon mixture into 6 small ceramic bowls.
  • Combine the chopped pecans and the bran flakes together in a bowl. Spoon onto the top of the berry and apple mixture.
  • Bake in the oven for 10 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
  • Serve warm or keep in the fridge to reheat later.

Nutrition info:

  • Energy: 828 kJ (198 calories)
  • Carbohydrates: 12.2 g
  • Sugar: 9 g (9g per 100g)

5. Chocolate Yoghurt Dip and Fruit

Check 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:

  • Energy: 978 kJ (233 calories)
  • Carbohydrates: 29 g
  • Sugar: 25.5 g (15g per 100g)

If you’d like further help with your nutrition please click below:

ongoing nutrition support

References

NHMRC. How to understand food labels. The Australian Government, Department of Health and Ageing. Updated 2015