Let’s be honest, we all need to treat ourselves once in a while. Unfortunately the diet industry has us thinking that you have poor will power, or health for eating foods deemed unhealthy. While eating too many sweets for too long can affect your health and wellbeing, dessert in moderation can contribute to positive mental health.

As Ashley, a writer for Nourishing the Soul, blog says : “Chocolate cake is not something I earn. It’s something I enjoy and so I give myself because it makes me happy. It offers different flavors and textures than other foods and a unique experience. When we can take all the language of morality and earning and compensating out of what we put in our mouth, it can truly change the way we feel about food and ourselves.” [i]

When foods become bad or forbidden in your mind, more often than not, you tend to binge-eat later. I suggest having a single serving, once a day. Take the time to savor and enjoy what you’re eating. This will help prevent you from over-indulging, and help you enjoy the sweet things in life.

Strawberry Trifle

Ingredients

  • 1 package instant vanilla pudding mix
  • 3 cups of cold milk (skim)
  • 1 inch angel food cake, cut in cubes
  • 4 bananas, sliced
  • 1 package of frozen strawberries, thawed
  • 1 container of low fat whipped topping

Directions

Prepare pudding with milk according to package directions. In a trifle bowl, or other glass serving dish, layer half the cake pieces, half the pudding, half the bananas, half the strawberries, and half the whipped topping. Repeat layers. Cover and chill in refrigerator 4 hours before serving.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 242, Total Fat: 6.5 g, Cholesterol: 6mg, Sodium 272mg, Total Carbs: 40.2g, Dietary Fiber: 2.2g, Protein: 4.6g

Healthy Chocolate Mug Cake

Ingredients

  • 1 banana, mashed
  • 2 TBS all-purpose flour
  • 2 TBS cocoa powder
  • 2 TBS honey
  • 1 egg
  • 1 ½ tsp milk
  • 1 tsp baking soda

Directions

1. Mix banana, flour, cocoa powder, honey, egg, milk, and baking soda together in a large, microwave-safe mug.

2. Heat in microwave on high until cake rises and is done in the middle, about 2 minutes

Nutrition Information

Calories: 390, Total Fat: 7.1 g, Cholesterol: 187mg, Sodium 1337mg, Total Carbs: 80.1g, Dietary Fiber: 7.2g, Protein: 11.7g