I have SUCH a sweet tooth! I know I'm not the only one. However, eating too many processed sugars isn't good for anyone! So here is a list that I have come up with that are my favorite healthy desserts. I've divided them into two categories...the first list are healthy desserts you can make at Frank Dining Hall. The second list are my top three for when I am at home with access to more ingredients! Enjoy!
TO MAKE AT FRANK...
1) CREDIT to Emma McCune for inventing this! Take about 1/2-3/4 of a cup of chocolate frozen yogurt, put a small scoop of peanut butter on the edge of the cup and (if they have it) grab a banana to slice and put on top! If they don't have bananas, don't worry... the chocolate and peanut butter is still a delicious combination! The chocolate froyo is light but sweet and the peanut butter has healthy fats in it that will satisfy you and keep you full.
2) One of my favorites is a cup of tea with a little cream and sweetener. This is if you aren't really hungry but are in the mood for something sweet! It is satisfying but not heavy by any means.
3) As mentioned in a previous post by Carly Citron...granola and vanilla soy milk is DELICIOUS! I promise you will like it. And if you want a little chocolate...at Frank they have chocolate soy milk too! The soy milk is so creamy and sweet, it is a perfect pair with granola.
4) Banana drizzled with honey is also a healthy and delicious option for dessert. Pair with a little skim milk and a handful of cheerios for a little crunch.
5) Last but not least, another personal favorite is a nice cup of hot cocoa! The coffee machine at Frank is great. Hot cocoa is very satisfying on a chilly winter night (which we have a lot of those here at Colgate). And if you're heading to the library for a long night of studying...add a shot of espresso! It's delicious and will give you a little caffeine boost before you hit the books.
TO MAKE AT HOME...
1) Fresh bowl of berries with whipped cream. This is my favorite. Especially if you can make the whipped cream from scratch. Nothing better in my opinion :)
2) Chobani Flips. These are the best. They are little trays with yogurt and various mix ins that you can add! My favorite is the key lime crumble. It tastes like Key Lime Pie! It even has graham crackers and white chocolate chips you can mix in. And this flavor is only 180 calories...so awesome. They come in so many other delicious ones too. Some you can even buy at the C-Store! Check them out!
3) A square of dark chocolate. I am such a fan of dark chocolate. Not only is it rich and satisfying but it is filled with healthy antioxidants. My favorite brand that my friend Ali Rakow introduced me to is Trader Joes Dark Chocolate with Almonds from Belgium. So delicious and definitely healthy!
One of the interesting things that I like to incorporate into my diet are Chia Seeds. My friend Alyssa every time she looks at my yogurt asks...what is that? They certainly look odd but there are a lot of health benefits that they offer.
1. They have FIBER! Fiber is a very important part of your diet that aids digestion.
2. They have healthy Omega-3 fatty acids in them. These are so good for your hair, nails, skin and brain health.
3. They help keep you full! I put them in my greek yogurt in the morning and it helps keep me full through my morning classes until lunch time!
4. They contain NO GLUTEN or grains! So they are safe for those with dietary restrictions or those following a gluten free diet.
5. Chia seeds can play an important role in regulating insulin levels. They can reduce insulin resistance and decrease abnormally high levels of insulin in the blood. This also helps fight belly fat and can help keep you toned!
They are also so easy to incorporate into your diet. You can mix them into yogurt, oatmeal, a smoothie, cereal or even over a salad! The taste is pretty mild. Also to make it even easier... I buy DOLE Nutrition Plus milled seeds. They are individually portioned in little sticks that look like what Crystal Light Drink mix comes in! All you do is pour the serving into whatever you are eating. It is so easy. They are also NON-GMO if you buy this brand :)
And now a few fun facts that are on the back of the box...
OUNCE for OUNCE, Chia seeds provide...
2X more omega-3s than walnuts
3X more fiber than oatmeal
5X more calcium than WHOLE milk
39% more fiber than FLAX
go out and buy them!
If there is one thing that has really stuck with me throughout my recovery from anorexia, it is my redefined version of the word "healthy". A lot of people claim that they eat "healthy" but what does that really entail?
In the midst of my eating disorder I thought that I was the healthiest person out there. I thought being healthy meant only eating certain foods that I labeled as "good" foods and avoiding entire food groups like complex carbohydrates, starches and sweets. I would never touch anything that was not organic and was very picky about the things that I felt comfortable with. Anything that I ate that was outside of my comfort zone i compensated for by working out at the gym.
As I recovered I began to redefine my version of healthy. And the following list of actions are very HEALTHY habits that everyone should aim to fulfill.
1. Making sure all bases are covered during meals. Protein, carbohydrate/starch and a vegetable of some sort. Avoiding food groups deprives your body of essential nutrients.
2. Allowing yourself to indulge. Whether that is eating dessert a few nights a week. Or pigging out on Slices when you are out with your friends on the weekends. Or drinking a warm cup of hot chocolate on a snowy afternoon. Or over-eating on a holiday. These things are NORMAL and HEALTHY for everyone to engage in every once in a while.
3. Taking a day or two or three off from working out. Intense cardio every day of the week is not good for your body. When I told my doctor that I ran 3-4 miles a day every day...she looked at me as if I had just punched her in the stomach. It is important to switch up your workouts and realize that it is okay to have rest days to relax and lay in bed and watch movies. Guilt for not going to the gym or feeling compelled to go to the gym is NOT normal and NOT healthy.
4. Nurturing your body. If you're hungry...eat. If you have an injury...don't workout. If you feel sick...take a nap and rest. If your craving chocolate...have a little piece. Treat your body with care. It is the only one you have. The way your treat it now will affect your health 20 years from now.
5. Don't let others dictate your actions. Comparing yourself to others almost always results in feeling not so great about yourself. Feeling content with who you are and where you stand in your life is something that will always make you happy. Realize the wonderful things you have in your life. Make a list if that helps. I promise you are beautiful.
The above actions are healthy to me. Some may disagree but I believe that in order to be truly healthy you must feel okay with indulging, nurturing your body, taking a day off from the gym etc... The people that look perfectly thin and eat perfectly at every meal are usually not as "perfect" on the inside as one might think. Be proud of who you are and content with who you are on the inside. That is what makes you....you. <3
Lots of love XO
