Delicious Desserts for Losing Weight

There are plenty of pitfalls when it comes to dieting – the first being that it isn't any fun! Plus there are more restrictions than there are freedoms, which often means dessert is left out of the equation. But as the old adage says, "There is always room for dessert!" You might not want to blow your sugar intake for the day with a blueberry pie or ice cream cake; however, making a quick and nutritious dessert for after dinner is perfectly fine. Using plenty of fresh ingredients and practicing portion control helps make the best out of a limited situation.

Now that we've covered how it's sometimes alright to indulge in desserts, here are some healthy, delicious desserts that you can try.

Cherry Almond Delight
There are a ton of vitamins and antioxidants in cherries. Those who eat cherries on a regular basis will benefit from its disease-fighting antioxidants, lowered risk of cancer, and a decrease in inflammatory issues like arthritis. If you're trying to keep your age a secret, you'll be happy to hear that cherries also contain melatonin to slow aging. Almonds have an increased amount of nutrition compared to all other nuts because of the power they pack. Every almond contains vitamin E, calcium, phosphorous, iron, magnesium, copper and zinc, (almond nutritions) which are all better for you than the ingredients found in pie crust! You can pump up the protein by choosing a greek yogurt instead of other yogurts that tend to have more sugar than necessary! Here is what you'll need to make cherry almond delight:

• Fresh cherries
• Almonds
• 1/4 cup water
• Nutmeg
• Cinnamon
• 2-3 Tablespoons sugar or Truvia
• Coconut oil
• Vanilla Greek yogurt

Begin by slicing 2 sides of your cherries off and reserving the pits and stems in a small pot; the amount of cherries depends on the number of servings you're preparing. One serving should be about 1/3 of a cup of cherries after they've been pitted.

Next you will set the halved cherry pieces aside and add the Truvia to the pits and stems of your cherries that you placed in the small pot. Truvia isn't as bad as other alternative sweeteners and is also sold in a brown variety. Add about 1/4 cup of water or a few tablespoons if you're making a single serving. Put a few sprinkles of nutmeg and cinnamon into the pot – the amount is up to you so feel free to add a few more sprinkles!

Place the pot on your stove and bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat slightly to allow it to simmer. Stir it occasionally until the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of your spoon.

Take 1 tablespoon of coconut oil and 1/4 cup of slivered or chopped almonds and mix them together; place the mix in a microwaveable bowl. Put the almonds into the oven for 4-7 mi
nutes (350 degrees), until they're brown.

Once the sauce is nice and thick, spoon out the stems and cores of the cherries, only leaving the sauce. Pour the sauce over the remaining cherry halves and mix together. Grab a small mug, cup, or dessert plate and begin layering the almonds, cherries and yogurt.

Alternatives:
Try using strawberries if you enjoy the taste of them more. They're also nutritious with vitamin C, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory capabilities. You can also use mixed nuts to change the flavor!