14 Great Ideas for Health Conscious Desserts

While it may feel impossible to resist the sweets at a celebration or an event, not everyone can easily consume cupcakes, cakes, or cookies for health reasons or allergy reasons. We have put together a list of health conscious desserts for those who want to have food allergy substitutes or healthy dessert options while satisfying guests’ sweet tooth! Separate these desserts on a different table from the other desserts so guests know what they can consume with their allergies or health concerns. The more dessert options that guests have, the happier they will be. Below are ideas for health-conscious guests that could be made in your kitchen or found at a local bakery.

Food Allergy Substitutes

1. Nut Allergy

Include desserts that do not have peanut butter, almonds, or other types of nuts. Instead of using nuts, substitute ingredients, like soy butter and pumpkin seed, to achieve a delicious flavor.

2. Lactose Intolerance

Milk is a required ingredient in a lot of desserts. Guests who are lactose intolerant may not want to consume sweets with milk in it. Instead, substitute this with almond milk, rice milk, or soy milk. Each has a distinct taste, so be sure you are familiar with each non-dairy substitute before you add it directly into desserts.

3. Wheat Allergy

Gluten is found in most grains, a popular one being wheat, which is an ingredient in a lot of desserts. Whether someone has a gluten allergy or eliminates gluten from their diet as a choice, gluten-free desserts would be great options. Try looking for cake shops and bakeries that offer gluten-free flours. Gluten-free foods are becoming more and more popular, so finding these options should not be rare or costly. This is a lower-calorie and tasty option for the wheat allergy.

4. Eggs

Eggs are one of the essentials in sweets. If there is no local bakery that poses egg substitutes, you can bake your own desserts with egg substitutes! Mashed bananas, applesauce, soy yogurt, and ground flaxseed are your answer.

Health Conscious Desserts

5. Dark Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Homemade or bakery bought, this fruity treat will be a huge healthy hit. Dark chocolate is a healthier option than consuming milk chocolate, and strawberries are full of fiber and antioxidants. You can also pick other fruits to dip in dark chocolate. If you want to add a chilling twist to this dessert, keep the fruits dipped in dark chocolate in a freezer. This is the perfect combination of fruit and sweetness to serve your guests!

6. Fruit Kabobs

While delicious fruits are abundant during the summer, you can still find a variety of fruits year-round. Cut up big chunks of banana, mango, pineapple, strawberries, grapes, or any other fruit that can fit on a skewer. Place them on skewers and make a yogurt dipping sauce to go along with your fresh fruit kabobs. You can also add some nutritious dates, seeds, or nuts to enhance its taste and make it a bit crunchier. If you do want to create this dessert yourself, there are many bakeries and dessert companies who can create these kabobs for you.

7. Angel Food Cake

If you really want to have cakes at your party, try angel food cakes! This cake is a healthy swap for any standard cake because it is low in fat and low in calories! It can be topped with low-fat whipped topping and fruit for an extra bit of sweetness. Bakeries or stores often offer this delicious sponge cake, too.

8. Low Fat Brownies

Everyone loves this chocolaty dessert, so low-fat brownies are an excellent option for your healthy dessert table. Try making your own by using applesauce or prune baby food if bakeries do not offer a lower-calorie version.

9. Ice Cold

Sherbets and sorbets are healthy dessert options to keep your guests cool. These can be found in different flavors. If you still wish to have traditional desserts at your event, sherbets and sorbets can compliment them, too!

10. Perfect Parfaits

You can also consider ordering parfaits from local bakeries or pastries shops. Parfaits are packed with healthy fruit and yogurt. They do not need extra sugar because of the natural fruit sweetness.

11. Fruit Cups

Fruit cups have all the natural flavors of the fruit they contain plus some extra syrupy sweetness. They can also go great with flavored cakes and cupcakes. Check to see if your bakeries have fruit cups, or easily make them yourself!

12. Fruity Pies and Tarts

Pies and tarts are great desserts that you can find in your local bakeries. You can never go wrong with the classic apple or key lime pies. Both are sweet, savory, and have a great fruity flavor. If you have never had a tart before, start with plum tarts. Tarts have sweet, fruity flavors with crunchy, crumbly crusts and toppings.

13. Cheesecakes with Fruit

Cheesecakes are a classic dessert. When you add fruit to them, it makes this dessert even better! Many cake shops have white chocolate raspberry cheesecakes, which combine the sweetness of which chocolate with the tartness of fresh raspberries.

14. Pudding and Gelatin

These are simply desserts that you can make yourself or find at most grocery stores. It is also easy to add fruit to these sweet treats. For example, try a caramelized banana pudding or a raspberry melon gelatine royale. Both have light bases combined with the sweetness of fruit for a great flavor.

Health Conscious Desserts: Conclusion

For more dessert options and creative ideas for your next event, check out other blogs from Easy Event Planning. Check out our summer dessert ideas. There is sure to be some new ideas you will find to make your desserts tasty and unique for your event!

Written by Sarah Guidas, Kimberly Vona, Annette Girion, Emily Palermo and Natalie Davidson; Contributors: Jack Leduc, Brittany Rogers and June Park