This post is sponsored by Activia but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.
Lets go back to 2013, when this blog was brand new, and I was fully dedicated to living that fit life. I used this space to share recipes, workouts and of course, my love of getting dressed. Back then, I had a two year old, a postpartum body and was fully dedicated to being in the best shape of my life. So, you can say I lived a lot stricter then, than I do now. However, when I was making changes in my life, I lived by the philosophy of making simple swaps with what I ate, instead of diving into full deprivation or “I can’t eat that”. I never did anything dramatic or stuck to a very strict diet, but I would create meals and snacks that were just made with better for me ingredients. Instead of grabbing a cookie, I would make myself a microwave oatmeal cookie. If I craved ice cream some kind of bad, I grabbed yogurt and fruit instead. You know what? It worked! I was able to get into great shape, lose weight, and I never felt deprived. While now I live more by the rules of moderation and balance, a lot of the little tricks I used back then became habits for me today. So, for the next two posts I am going to share a few of my go-to guilt free snacks that started way back then, and still satisfy either my sweet or salty cravings. For this post in particular; I’ll be sharing the sweet side.
My Go-To Guilt Free Sweet Snacks
1. Fresh Fruit
I LOVE fruit, luckily my kids do too. I always keep honey crisp apples around, because they’re my absolute favorite. However, I don’t discriminate, based on the season I’ll also have blueberries, peaches, watermelon, bananas and strawberries in the house. Fresh fruit is my absolute favorite way to curb a sweet tooth and is often what I will go for first if a craving hits.
2. Fresh Fruit + Nut Butter
Then there are times you just need more! That’s when I’ll take that fresh fruit and add a little nut butter. Whether it be almond, peanut, cashew or sunflower butter, I love them all. I measure my nut butters most of the time to control the portions, but I’ve measured so many times now, I can almost eyeball it. Sometimes I’ll add just a few chocolate chips too.
3. Yogurt
I’m all for taking a cup of greek yogurt and mixing it with fruit, honey and cinnamon. When I’m short on time, I’ll grab a cup of premixed yogurt too. I’ve recently been grabbing Activia at the store, more for the extra probiotics.
If something can be tasty and good for my belly too, I’m in! Activia has a two week challenge; you basically consume a cup of Activia twice a day for two weeks, which may help reduce the frequency of minor digestive discomfort. If you don’t feel a benefit you can get a refund! I can’t speak to any results, but I do think probiotics are beneficial and there is an Ibotta offer on Activia at Walmart, so if you’re looking for something to add to you diet for digestive health, it’s worth a try!
Take the Activia 2 week challenge and save with Ibotta at Walmart
4. PB + Chocolate Chip Spoon
This tastes like a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, it’s good! I take a tablespoon of Peanut Butter Co. White Chocolate Wonderful and add just a few chocolate chips on top, then slowly enjoy! It’s satisfying, sweet, and in moderation, guilt free.
5. Skinny Chocolate Milk
This one requires a little work, but it’s worth it, and satisfying. I take a tablespoon of coco powder and dissolve it in 2 tbsp or so of warm water. Then I mix it in a cup of cold unsweetened almond milk and a add a little stevia to taste! (I forgot to mention in my video I add stevia, oops!) It’s a little time consuming stirring to get the cocoa powder to dissolve, fair warning.
6. Better for you Cookies
I’m a dessert girl, so I’ve always been all for making “desserts” that reminded me of my favorites, but were better for me. A great place to look for desserts is Chocolate Covered Katie. If I’m just making a “cookie” for one I will take about 1/4 cup of rolled oats in a small ramekin dish. I then add a pinch of baking soda, splash of vanilla extract, tablespoon of stevia and about 1-2 tablespoons of unsweetened almond milk. I pop it in the microwave for about 1-2 minutes. Then I top it with 1.5 tsp of peanut butter and just a few dark chocolate chips, about a tablespoon.
There ya’ have it! My guilt-free sweet snacks in a nutshell. I’m a sweet and salty girl, so there’s another side to this story. Come back Monday for my guilt free salty snacks!
-Brooke
Now, let’s…get…linking!!
NEW! I’ve started a collaborative Pinterest board for the Oh, Hey Girl! Link-Up. I would love for you to join and share your looks there too! Just send me a message on Pinterest or at [email protected] if you would like to be added.
Link up any post you would like to show off; your outfit, home decor, recipe, workout. Anything at all! Because, oh, hey girl! I want to see it!
Link-Up ‘Rules’
1. Follow me on Bloglovin or Instagram
2. Link back to my site from your post, you can grab a button if you like!
See who I link with here! (p.s. – if you have a new link up on your blog, leave it in the comments, so I can add to this list!)
