Fruit and Weight Loss

If you have a sweet tooth, a weight loss plan is always a struggle between the good side of you who wants to stick to the diet, and the naughty part of you that wants to indulge in decadent chocolate cake.

One way to quiet that sweet tooth monster is by upping your intake of fresh fruit. Yes, fruit does contain sugar, but it's in a natural form, which is a lot less harmful than processed forms of sugar.

Depending on what's in season, you can whip up lots of fruity delights that will keep you on track without even missing the desserts you left behind.

If you can find fresh berries, try topping them with a serving of low fat whipped topping. Or, blend protein powder, yogurt and frozen berries into an icy smoothie. It's a great substitute for the days when you're craving ice cream but don't want to waste the calories.

If you prefer something more warm and cozy, slice and apple (keep the skin on), and combine with a pinch of apple pie spice, a few raisins and a teaspoon of honey for added sweetness. Top with a crumble of 2 tablespoons of rolled oats, 1 teaspoon of brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon of olive oil and bake in a shallow baking dish at 350 degrees until the apple slices are easily broken with a fork. This high fiber version of apple pie will calm your sweet tooth and help you lose weight!

When the weather gets hot, your resolve to skip the sweets can melt like ice on a hot sidewalk. To stay on track, puree water based fruits like strawberries, kiwi, watermelon or grapes and pour into ice cube trays. Insert a toothpick before freezing, and in a few hours, you'll have fruity Popsicles!

Another way to use fruit to help aid with weight loss is to keep fresh sliced apples in your fridge. When you feel yourself getting hungry while you prepare a meal, skip snacking on a cookie or candy. Instead, eat a few slices of apples. The fiber in this fruit packs a powerful punch as goes a long way in helping curb your appetite.

Keep experimenting with fruit recipes until you find a few that you can rotate to help keep that craving for sweet in check. You don't have to stick to just apples and berries...don't forget about peaches, pineapples, plums, pears, oranges, cherries, and many others. Over time, fruit will become your preferred dessert!