Healthy eating does not mean deserting desserts

Dark Chocolate Bark

Eating healthy does not always mean you have to skip the last course of a meal.
While Hissa Alsudairy believes that a good diet needs to be considered a habit, she also challenges the myth that desserts are a no-go. A chief clinical registered dietitian nutritionist by profession, Alsudairy provides nutritional counseling for infants, children, and adults.
The dietician admits she does not have much of a sweet tooth, and is quite certain that eating healthy is absolutely necessary in order for the body to receive the essential nutrients it needs to perform daily metabolic functions.
“The moment we either skip a meal, snack and or choose unhealthy foods lacking in essential nutrients, the body falls under a nutrient imbalance,” says Alsudairy.
“A continuous nutrient imbalance will eventually lead to a nutrient deficiency. Once the body is deficient in any single nutrient, the body goes into stressed state which may then increase aging, insulin resistance, fat storage, poor immunity, and vulnerability to develop diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Therefore, it is important to practice balance, variety, moderation and exercise every day to achieve optimal health and prevent unwanted illnesses.”
But if you are a chocolate lover and still want to cook up something simple, rich and healthy at the same time, read on for two dessert recipes from Alsudairy.

Gluten-Free Chocolate Coconut Fudge
Ingredients:
Chocolate Layer
1 ½ cups Enjoy Life dark chocolate morsels (or preferred dairy free brand)
¼ cup coconut oil
6 tbsp (¼ cup + 2 tbsp) thick creamy coconut milk
1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Coconut Layer
1/3 cups unsweetened finely shredded coconut
2 tbsp pure maple syrup
¼ cup coconut oil, melted and cooled
2 tbsp thick creamy coconut milk
1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Chocolate Drizzle/Topping
¼ cup Enjoy Life Dark Chocolate Chips
½ tsp coconut oil

Directions:
Line an 8-by-8-inch pan or dish with parchment paper.
Prepare the chocolate layer first: In a saucepan over very low heat, melt dark chocolate morsels and coconut oil while stirring continuously. Stir in coconut milk and remove from heat, then add vanilla.
Spread the chocolate mixture in the lined 8-by-8-inch pan. Chill in the freezer while preparing coconut layer.
To make the coconut layer, mix all ingredients together in a bowl until fully combined, then prepare the top chocolate drizzle by melting the chocolate chips and coconut oil over very low heat.
Sprinkle the coconut layer evenly over the thickened chocolate layer (make sure the bottom chocolate layer is simply thickened not frozen) and then drizzle the melted chocolate/coconut oil over the top. Put in the freezer for 10 minutes to set and then cut into squares to serve!

Dark Chocolate Bark
Ingredients:
2 cups bittersweet chocolate chips
¼ cup dried cherries, cranberries, or apricots
¼ cup chopped pecans, pistachios, almonds, cashews, macadamia nuts, or peanuts
1/8 tsp sea salt

Directions:
Melt dark chocolate chips over a very low heat until melted, stirring every 30 seconds.
Pour melted chocolate onto a piece of parchment paper and smooth. Top evenly with desired fruits and nuts such as cherries, pecans, and sea salt.

Allow to dry (two to four hours) then cut or break into bite-sized pieces.
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