Dieting doesn't have to mean giving up dessert. Smart choices can enable you to continue to enjoy a sweet treat while sticking to the South Beach Diet. Dessert options vary depending on whether you're in the strict diet phase one or have a wider range of options in phase two. Keep your portions reasonable but allow yourself these diet-friendly indulgences.
Phase One
Phase one of the South Beach Diet is the most restrictive, allowing no fruits or whole grains. Dessert options are limited. Coconut macaroons made with sucralose in place of sugar or meringue cookies with sucralose can be phase one-friendly. You also can make a thick chocolate pudding or mousse by combining soft silken tofu, sucralose, cocoa powder, no-sugar-added whipped topping and vanilla. This rich dessert is diet-friendly, high in protein, and delicious.
Phase Two Fruits
Phase two of the diet allows fresh fruits and small amounts of whole grains, making dessert easier. For a simple everyday dessert, have a spoonful of nonfat Greek yogurt topped with fresh berries and a drizzle of agave nectar. Dress up these basic ingredients by whisking in vanilla, sucralose and no-sugar-added whipped topping, then folding in berry puree. Fill small phyllo dough tart shells with fruit sweetened with agave nectar or sucralose, then top with whipped topping or a drizzle of dark chocolate. Grill fresh fruit to caramelize the natural sugars for a summertime treat.
Chocolate on Phase Two
Small amounts of dark chocolate make dieting on phase two a bit more pleasant. Make dark chocolate bark by melting good quality dark chocolate and pouring it over your favorite nuts. Break into pieces and enjoy. Serve up delicious chocolate tarts by filling phyllo shells with a custard made with one egg yolk, fat-free half-and-half and melted dark chocolate. Top with whipped topping and a raspberry for a pretty presentation.
Phase Three
Desserts on phase three can include a variety of foods but you'll have the easiest time maintaining your weight loss if you continue to limit refined sugar, white flour and fat. Make low-fat cheesecakes with a mixture of ricotta and reduced-fat cream cheese, along with sucralose in place of sugar. Flavor with chocolate, espresso powder or fresh fruit. Experiment with your favorite cake recipes, replacing sugar with fruit, agave nectar or sucralose, and swapping white flour with whole wheat pastry flour or white wheat flour.
References
- South Beach Diet: Healthy Dessert Recipes
- "The South Beach Diet: The Delicious, Doctor-Designed, Foolproof Plan for Fast and Healthy Weight Loss"; Arthur Agaston; 2005
- "The South Beach Diet Super Quick Cookbook: 200 Easy Solutions for Everyday Meals"; Arthur Agaston; 2010
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