Reducing the amount of fat in your diet will reduce your blood cholesterol and lower your risk for heart disease. It may also help you shed some pounds. A low-fat diet is a heart healthy diet, but low fat does not necessarily mean low calorie. When looking for low-fat substitutes, choose those that are lower in calories. Saturated and trans fats are the unhealthy fats, which means you want to replace butter, margarine and shortening with other low-fat options when cooking your desserts.
Low-Fat Gelatin
Low-fat gelatin dessert is easy to make, and it comes in a wide variety of flavors. Gelatin desserts are made mostly of water, which helps to keep you hydrated. Low-calorie, low-fat gelatins are also available that have only 10 calories per serving, 1 g of protein and 0 percent fat. An added plus is that you can add any type of fruit to gelatin desserts and get added fiber and vitamins.
Grilled Pineapple
Grilled pineapple has vitamin C, 79 calories and only 2 g of fat. The fat it does have comes from the olive oil used in grilling, but olive oil is a healthy fat. Healthy fats help improve your blood cholesterol levels, according to the Harvard School of Public Health.
Strawberry Balsamic Sorbet
Strawberry balsamic sorbet is sweet and tart with zero fat. Boil and reduce the balsamic vinegar in half. Cut the strawberries in half while the vinegar cools and blend them until smooth. Pass them through a mesh sieve to get just the juice. Add the vinegar and honey. Cover and refrigerate. Lastly, freeze the mixture in an ice-cream maker and store it in the freezer for a quick, low-fat treat.
Berries and Cream
Berries are full of antioxidants, fiber and are low in fat. Choose your favorite berry or mix a variety and add brown sugar and fat-free sour cream. The calories for one serving are around 134 calories, with no fat.
Red, White and Blue Parfait
This is a good dessert for the Fourth of July or when you want something fresh when you have company. Blueberries, strawberries and a blend of low-fat yogurt, fat-free cream cheese and honey are layered in parfait glasses. One serving contains 100 calories and only 1 g of fat.
Cinnamon Apples
Get your apple a day and satisfy your sweet tooth by baking a cinnamon apple. Mix brown sugar with cinnamon, pour the mixture over the apples and cook in the over or a slow cooker. If you want, you can add a little non-fat dairy whip when they cool.
Campari and Grapefruit Granita
Campari is an brand of alcoholic apertif and adds extra calories. One serving has 200 calories and less than 1 g of fat. Cook water and sugar until the sugar is melted. Then, add Campari and grapefruit juice. Pour it into a pan, cover and freeze. Scrape the frozen granita into dessert dishes and serve.
Lebkuchen
Lebkuchen are spice bars that are chewy and have only 65 calories per bar with 2 g of fat. Cloves, cinnamon, walnuts, raisins, brown sugar and lemon juice to adds the bulk of their flavor.
Spiced Fruit
Spiced fruit has no fat and only 125 calories per serving. This refreshing summer dessert is made with any mix of chopped fruit with cinnamon sticks, lemon peel, lemon juice, cloves and star anise for added flavor.
Low-Fat Fudge Brownies
Low-fat fudge brownies are a chocolate lover's dream. Just make regular brownies, but use egg whites, brown sugar, unsweetened applesauce, reduced-fat sour cream and fat-free milk as substitutes for the higher fat ingredients. They have only 74 calories per bar with 2.4 g of fat.
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