By Diana Sanchez, Staff Writer

Photo from iheartnaptime.com

One of the things that really turns me off dieting is the sense of feeling deprived. You know what I mean, right? The second I decided to do keto, for instance, my mind couldn’t stop thinking about bagels. Whatever I give up immediately sounds so gloriously delicious, that I find myself questioning my willpower as soon as I start.

One of my major struggles with deprivation when it comes to dieting is feeling like I have to give up desserts. I love a sweet treat now and then, and feeling like I can’t have one will surely take down all my dieting efforts faster than you can say, “brownie.” I’m talking mouthwatering visions of peanut butter cookies, New York Style cheesecake, fresh-baked apple pie… the list goes on and on. 

Obviously, I power through, and reap the dieting rewards of feeling and looking good - most of the time, anyhow. (By the way, if you’re looking for ways to help you better stick to a diet, check out this blog: 3 Essential Behaviors for a Healthy Mindset to Eat Healthy.) 

Clearly, the best way to get around this dieting obstacle is to make sure that you don’t feel deprived. And ladies, you don’t have to be! Here are the best healthier, low-calorie desserts that will satisfy your sweet tooth, and keep you motivated to diet another day.

Baked Peaches with Ice Cream

Photo from iheartnaptime.com

Okay, my mouth is watering just remembering this one. I will be making this again ASAP. You get all the glorious flavors of a peach pie/ice cream combo with a lot fewer calories, making this very compatible with a low-calorie diet. Make sure to pair this with low-calorie ice cream, like ½ cup of Halo Top Vanilla Bean Ice Cream for a grand total of 177 calories. Check out the recipe here.

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Photo from HealthyRecipesBlogs.com

So simple, yet so, so good! Who says you have to wait until Valentine’s Day to enjoy this? At just 107 calories per serving (4 chocolate covered strawberries), you can’t pass this up! Check out the recipe here.

Skinny Pineapple Cheesecake Bars

Photo by Sally Quinn from Delish.com

These delicious Skinny Pineapple Cheesecake Bars are just 130 calories per serving. That’s right! 130 calories. So diet-friendly and so worth it! With a Greek yogurt and light cream cheese filling, you won’t be breaking the rules. Check out the recipe here.

Did you give any of these recipes a try? What did you think? If you have any more ideas for healthy desserts I’d love to hear them!