Jim V.
5 Healthy Foods as Sweet as Candy
You want us to recommend ice cream…..we know, but we cannot do it with a clear conscience. If you have an unbearable craving for ice cream
Cornerstone recommends a frozen banana dipped in melted dark chocolate. Bananas are high in potassium which lowers blood pressure and reduces the risk of strokes. This is the perfect substitute for an ice cream sundae.
Who doesn’t like a hot cup of cocoa? The answer – no one! Cocoa is one healthy food that actually tastes good too. One tablespoon holds around 10 – 15 calories and close to 2 full grams of fiber. To reap the most rewards from cocoa it is best to purchase ‘all natural’ cocoa powder. Try to steer clear of cocoa that has been alkalized as this process can remove the beneficial nutrients along with the bitter taste cocoa usually has. Look out for terms on the label like ‘Dutch-processed’, ‘European-style’ or ‘alkali’ which should alert you to the processed ingredients within. Cornerstone recommends that you mix the natural cocoa with almond milk or soy milk to keep it healthy and tasting great!
Topping Greek yogurt with fruit makes a decadent and healthy dessert option. This snack not only will satisfy your hardcore sweet tooth but it will also provide your body with essential nutrients like fiber, protein and healthy fats. This is a great pre or post workout dessert.
Do you love Peanut M & Ms? How can you get the sweet satisfaction and nutty goodness without all the sugar? Cornerstone suggests trying almonds with cocoa powder! Coming in at just around 150 calories, a quarter cup of roasted, unsalted almonds holds about 3 grams of fiber along with 6 grams of protein. Once they are covered in a light dusting of cocoa powder they become a tasty treat that is heart healthy and can lower LDL cholesterol.
This decadent delight is an excellent healthy snack that has been shown to lower stress levels and reduce anxiety as well as control healthy blood pressure and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. According to a published study by the American Chemical Society it is best to consume chocolate that has at least 70% cocoa and to watch the amount that you eat. Eating around one ounce is just enough without going overboard and ingesting too many unneeded calories.
