This article is part of our Nutrition + Dining series. Here we explore holistic health topics and share favorite dishes from aligned restaurants.
(PSA: don’t read while hungry!)
Better-for-you treats that are all-the-more sweet
Scouting the best healthy desserts on menus around Valentine’s Day could be fraught with FOMO and frustration.
Especially since the not-so-healthy options are endless, and we have limited time and high standards*:
- More natural/unrefined sugars and flours.
- Organic and/or locally-sourced ingredients.
- Looking across a variety of potential dietary restrictions.
- Must-be delicious!
But we’re always up for a good challenge!
Especially for those who don’t yet have our app, we wanted to put together a ‘taste’ of treats that use more wholesome ingredients – and all of which you can find in our app.
We’re pretty pleased with the results and breadth of offerings. Without further ado, enjoy these samples of ‘healthier’ treats and the passionate artisans who make them.
*Of course, we avoid high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated oils – that’s so 2001…
Linzer cookies & Sweet potato brownies (Sweet Love: Berkeley, CA)
100%: Vegan / Gluten-free / Refined-sugar-free
Auset Selassie started Sweet Love after being underwhelmed by the high-sugar and low-taste of most Vegan/gluten-free treats. After cooking in Michelin-starred kitchens, private homes, and wellness retreats, she’s bringing it all together for Berkeley with delightful, healthful treats.
Auset prefers coconut sugar and maple syrup which yield richer flavor with more healthful properties. Almond and oat flour are her go-to combo for the perfect texture, not too dry or gummy. For those avoiding nuts, a few selections are made with coconut flour. Ingredients are as few and simple as possible.
Sweet Love pops up at The Hidden Cafe and Rasa Cafe in Berkeley, with many treats on offer. Chef Auset also takes orders over DM on Instagram (@eatingsweetlove) and may ship within the U.S. if you order well and ask nicely.
Banana Cacao & Key Lime Pies (Ya Ye Organics: Denver, CO)
100%: Organic / Vegan / Gluten-free / Refined-sugar-free
Ya Ye puts the ‘clean’ in healthy, clean eating with enthusiasm. Their raw pies offer a veritable slice of heaven, flavored by pure whole ingredients.
The banana cacao cream pie includes banana, cashew, coconut milk, cacao, maple syrup, vanilla, coconut oil. The key lime includes avocado, cashews, coconut oil, maple syrup, filtered water, fresh lime juice, lime zest, vanilla extract, pink himalayan salt. Both crusts are made with cashews, dates, coconut, and pink himalayan salt.
They also have hemp seed cacao cookie dough that may never see the inside of an oven, lest you eat it first!
Local delivery around Denver / Boulder area. Shipping is available to further beyond.
Also offering healthy organic meal delivery services.
Pain au Chocolat (Proof Bread: Mesa, AZ)
Local / Organic / Artisan
We couldn’t leave out a gluten-friendly option!
Proof bread’s an artisan grassroots bakery that makes naturally-leavened sourdough croissants using freshly-milled local Arizona heritage whole grains. The dough is long-fermented and carefully folded to produce just the right amount of layers and texture.
The chocolate is from specialty bean-to-bar producer, DNA Chocolate, a local Arizona business sourcing organic cacao direct from farmers in Central America.
It’s a deliciously indulgent treat supporting a more virtuous cycle.
Overnight Oats (Raw & Juicy: Alys Beach, FL)
Organic / Local / Artisan / Gluten-free / Dairy-free
If you’re near the 30-A area of Northwest Florida, it’s pretty much rude not to stop by the Raw & Juicy in Alys beach.
They not only make their own treats (and much more) using wholesome, organic, real food ingredients, but also offer better on-the-go snack options such as dark chocolate sweetened with dates, grain-free snacks, and more.
Our picks include the overnight oats and dark blue Spring & Mulberry bar (I.e. Pure Dark chocolate with Suhum cacao beans).
The açaí bowl with almond butter makes a good post-workout snack (with leftovers to enjoy later). You can find even more house-made desserts in the cold case.
There’s more goodness than just the treats here. Check out their all-day breakfast, organic smoothies and juice bar, local kombuchas, and lifestyle market… and soak in the breezy outdoor surrounds.
We fondly remember the days when they were a mainstay at Seaside in the Airstream – one of the healthiest food trucks we’ve seen…
Chocolate chip cookie (Honey Hi: Los Angeles, CA)
Organic / Local / Gluten-free
Featuring California local fair-trade TCHO chocolate, grass-fed butter, pastured eggs, coconut sugar, and cassava flour.
Special shout out for the CLA-rich pastured butter and choline-rich pastured eggs. Both are examples of higher quality, ‘healthy fats’, in moderation.
We love Honey Hi’s dedication to thoughtful sourcing and preparation, not to mention their commitment to serving food that “promotes personal, public, & planetary well-being.”
Also offering a remarkable all-day menu.
Walnut butter & Pistachio butter cookies (Nuttin'butter Cookies: Berkeley + Bay Area, CA)
Vegan / Gluten-free / Refined-sugar-free / Organic
Whitney Singletary’s line of alternative cookies from her cottage operation feature organic nut butters plus select simple ingredients to bring a savory, delicious cookie.
Her preferred sugars are monk fruit and coconut sugar. We’re partial to the Walnut butter cookie, which uses pure dark maple syrup for a hint of rich sweetness alongside omega-3 rich organic walnut butter and walnuts.
Pickup and delivery available in the Berkeley area, and she will ship beyond (the cookies travel well).
Want more like this?
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