When you’re hit by the urge for a sweet treat, but you’re sticking to a menopause-friendly diet, what should you reach for?
If you find yourself asking this question multiple times a week, you’re not alone. We’re all too familiar with the hunt for menopause-friendly sweet snacks that offer the perfect amount of indulgence without sacrificing health outcomes. Since it’s so important to maintain a healthy diet throughout menopause, the processed sugar that’s high in many sweet items simply isn’t the best option during this life stage. Never fear, though: we’ve rounded up the perfect sweet treats for menopause in this list of indulgent recipes with a healthy twist. You can thank us later!
Recipe: Dark Chocolate Avocado Mousse
Looking for a quick dessert that’s fruit-centred? Dark chocolate avocado mousse is so good that anyone in your household will be fighting you for the last pot. This recipe from Gimme Some Oven uses ripe avocados, baking chocolate, unsweetened cocoa powder, almond milk and maple syrup to create a sweet, easy, and decadent dessert. With optional toppings, you can customise this to your heart’s content.
Recipe: Berry Chia Seed Pudding
There’s a reason you’re hearing about chia puddings all the time during menopause. This berry chia seed pudding recipe is a great source of protein and fibre, contributing to your daily dietary needs while giving you a sweet hit that will well and truly satisfy any sweet tooth cravings. With non-dairy milk, chia seeds, berries, and maple syrup, this couldn’t be easier to whip up, and is a great option to make ahead of time and enjoy throughout the week.
Find more support for your health and wellness throughout menopause and beyond at the Australian Menopause Centre.
Recipe: Banana ‘Nice Cream’
Craving ice cream? Look no further than this banana nice cream recipe. In just fifteen minutes, you can pop this treat in the freezer and come back to enjoy it later. There’s also the option to shake up your flavours, with chocolate, peanut butter, caramel, strawberry, and chocolate chip variations. The world is your ice cream oyster when it comes to banana nice cream!
Recipe: Menopause-friendly bliss balls
Time for some heavy lifting in the dessert department: these bliss balls not only hit your sweet cravings, but also work to balance your hormones in one easy snack. With no added sugar and plenty of health benefits, this is the kind of recipe you’ll want on high rotation throughout your menopausal years. This recipe uses dates, maca powder, pumpkin seeds, and spices like cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg to deliver a warming, nutritional bliss ball punch. There’s also ways to customise different flavours by using different spices or fruity additions.
Recipe: Sugar-free protein clinkers
Are you missing those classic clinker lollies? With this sugar-free clinkers recipe, it’ll be like they were never gone. Beetroot, pistachios, frozen berries and turmeric are the star of this clinkers show, with coconut oil and cacao powder working together to create a delicious and healthy treat.
Recipe: Honey and lemon curd tart with blueberries
This dessert is deceptively easy and is the perfect way to impress guests after dinner. Using puff pastry, blueberries, lemons and honey, you can bring this simple and delicious tart to life for your next dinner party. It’s the perfect make-ahead recipe to have up your sleeves.
Recipe: Mango and turmeric coconut yoghurt soft serve
Mangoes. Coconut yoghurt. Turmeric. Maple syrup. What’s not to love in this incredible soft serve recipe? It’s time to pull out your trusty blender and whip this decadent – but healthy – dessert up. It couldn’t be easier to satisfy your soft serve cravings without the addition of processed sugar thanks to this recipe.
What to look for in a sweet treat during menopause
While these recipes are a fantastic starting point to kick your sweet cravings in a menopause-friendly way, understanding what to look for in a sweet treat during menopause can help you to expand your options. Eating well and giving your body the nutrition it needs throughout this time doesn’t need to feel restrictive. With some creativity and careful planning, you can enjoy delicious snacks and meals that also meet your dietary needs in a menopause-focused manner.
These simple guidelines can help you in the hunt for sustainable and healthy sweet treat options:
- Look for nutrient-dense ingredients. When a sweet treat is made with ingredients like fruits, nuts, seeds, and whole grains, you’re going to find a great dose of essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants as well as that sweet satisfaction.
- Opt for treats with a low glycemic index. Treats with a low glycemic index (GI) are helpful in keeping blood sugar levels managed, leading to a more gradual rise in levels that’s helpful in preventing dreaded energy crashes.
- Incorporate healthy fats. Avocados, nuts, seeds, coconut oils – these are all powerful healthy fats that can positively support natural hormone production, helping to reduce menopause-related symptoms.
- Choose high-fibre options. Fibre is also a powerful tool for regulating blood sugar levels, as well as promoting healthy digestion and contributing to satiety. By choosing desserts and sweet options with a high-fibre option, you’re making a healthy choice that’s positively contributing to your daily intake.
- Practice portion control. Smaller serving sizes or single-serve desserts can all help keep sweet treats balanced in your overall diet. Over time, this can become an easy habit that supports your overall health and wellbeing – we recommend picking up single-serve dishes that make it easy to prepare your favourite sweet snacks ahead of time!
Conclusion
Menopause can mean a change of habits, but it doesn’t mean you have to restrict yourself. These sweet treats can help you to build a healthy and sustainable balance when it comes to responding to that surprising craving for something sweet.
Looking for more tools to support your health and wellbeing throughout menopause? Connect with the Australian Menopause Centre and find the resources you need for every aspect of your menopause journey. We won’t even tell you to put down the dessert!
About The Author - AMC Team
Our team consists of doctors, nurses, program assistants, naturopaths and nutritionists that join their wealth of knowledge to offer our patients and website visitors interesting and insightful articles to assist you understand the symptoms you are experiencing and how to relieve them.