Low-fat treats include numerous different types, including those made with fresh fruit, whole grains, and yogurt, as well as veggies and nuts. Fruit can simply be enjoyed fresh, mixed with other fruits and flavors or as a featured ingredient in other types of treats. Whole-grain sweets are naturally low-fat and need only to be naturally sweetened, mixed, and baked to create a healthy snack or dessert. Low and no-fat yogurt can be enjoyed as a treat by itself or used as a substitute for dipping sauces and baking ingredients. Veggies and nuts provide options for savory snacks, either fresh and raw, or roasted, seasoned, and mixed with other snacks.
Fruits provide a plentiful source of vitamins and nutrients, and they typically have no fat. They contain only natural sugars when eaten alone. Mixing fruit together or supplementing with low-fat dips makes them an appropriate choice for a snack, side dish, or dessert. Seasonal fruits tend to be the sweetest and most affordable. Fruits can also be mixed with grains for heartier low-fat treats.
A large variety of low-fat treats feature whole grains slightly sweetened with natural sugar substitutes like honey, dates, or stevia. Homemade versions allow you to have full control over contents, ensuring no trans or saturated fats are used as emulsifying agents. Baked granola with a bit of honey along with flax seed, amaranth, or quinoa can be broken up into a granola treat. Adding a binder like peanut butter or low-sugar fruit juice binds the snack together to form bites or bars.
Low and no-fat yogurt is often used as a substitute for traditionally higher fat snacks. Frozen yogurt with little additives and emulsifiers works well alone or with fresh fruit, while fresh yogurt can be sweetened into a dip or used to cut butter or oil in a baking recipe. Yogurt can be eaten alone or as a parfait.
A healthy fruit smoothie often features yogurt to add thickness and protein. Flavors and additional ingredients vary. An Indian lassi, for instance, typically features mango, yogurt, and milk, along with sweetener and cardamom for a sweet and aromatic shake. Other fruits like avocado can be substituted as well.
Veggies and nuts work well for savory low-fat treats. Vegetables like carrots, sugar-snap peas, or broccoli can be eaten alone or with a low-fat dip. Seasonings and herbs can be mixed in for healthy flavor as well. For crispy low-fat treats, vegetables can be lightly drizzled with olive oil and baked for an alternative to chips; kale works especially well for this type of treat. Nuts can also be roasted, toasted, or eaten raw, as well as mixed with dried fruit for a hearty trail mix.
