While there is absolutely nothing wrong with enjoying something sweet, if you have a hard-to-satisfy sweet tooth, looking for alternatives to will help scratch the itch—sans added sugar—is a great way to support your health in the long run. Enter: fruit.
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Here’s Why You Should Eat Fruit Even Though It Contains Sugar
1. Dates
Try It:These Healthy 4-Ingredient Stuffed Dates Taste Just Like a Snickers Bar
2. Fresh Figs
Figsare sweet, hearty and full of flavor—all qualities that make them a great substitute if you’re craving something somewhat dense like a nut cake, says Kimminau. They’re alsoa great sourceof fiber. For a sweet breakfast, lunch, snack or dessert, top a couple of slices of your favorite whole grain or sprouted grain toast with organic ricotta cheese. Then, add fresh, sliced figs on top, recommends Kimminau. (Get the recipe here:Fig & Ricotta Toast.)
3. Pears
This hearty, juicy fruit, full of fiber and antioxidants, is a go-to option for satisfying citrusy, custardy dessert cravings (think key lime pie or lemon bars), says Kimminau. For a dessert-like version, sprinkle slices ofpears(Kimminau recommends the Concorde varietal, which have a sweet vanilla flavor) with cinnamon and ginger. Place the slices in a large baking dish, top with a quarter-cup of water, cover with foil, and bake for 20 to 30 minutes in the oven at 375°F until tender, flipping once or twice during cooking.
4. Red Grapes
5. Pineapple
6. Apples
If you’re in the mood for something more—apple cobbler, anyone?—simply core your apple, leaving the bottom half-inch intact. Then, sprinkle chopped pecans, cinnamon and a little lemon juice in the middle and bake on 325°F for 35 minutes or until soft. “This is great way to enjoy the apple cobbler flavor without all of the calories from the crust and added sugars,” says Swift.
Try it:Apple Pie in an Apple
7. Wild Blueberries
Along with an earthy sweet taste, this type ofblueberry, slightly smaller than the farm-grown version, delivers fiber, vitamin A, potassium, folate and vitamin C, says Haas. Add a handful of these to your morning bowl of cereal the next time you’re craving a sugary breakfast cereal. They’re a great topper on morning cereal or overnight oats, and also pair well with plain yogurt for a sweet and creamy snack, she says.
8. Peaches
Next up:6 “Bad” Fruits You Should Be Eating, According to a Dietitian
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