Chocolate bars and candy are generally known as high sugar treats with empty calories, meaning there is no nutritional value. But now thanks to culinary creativity, there are several options available to satisfy those sugar cravings but in a much healthier way. The best part is these high protein treats will also keep you satisfied and not looking for more food shortly after like a dessert with empty calories.
The following are some sweet and healthy ideas to satisfy your sugar cravings and hunger.
Greek Yogurt Parfaits
Greek yogurt is a protein powerhouse on its own. One cup contains 17-20g protein naturally. Create a parfait by layering plain Greek yogurt with berries, a tablespoon of honey, and 2 tablespoons of chopped almonds or walnuts (adding 3-4g more protein). For extra sweetness, drizzle with a little maple syrup or add a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Cottage Cheese Berry Bowl
One cup of cottage cheese provides about 25g of protein naturally. Mix with fresh berries, a drizzle of honey, and a sprinkle of cinnamon for a sweet, high-protein treat. For texture contrast, add a tablespoon of crushed walnuts or sliced almonds.
Skyr Icelandic Yogurt Dessert
Skyr, an Icelandic yogurt, typically contains even more protein than Greek yogurt—about 20-23g per cup. Serve with sliced banana, a drizzle of honey, and a sprinkle of granola for a simple, high-protein dessert.
Ricotta Cheese Dessert Cup
Mix 1 cup of ricotta cheese (28g protein) with a teaspoon of vanilla extract and a tablespoon of honey or maple syrup. Top with sliced strawberries or peaches for a creamy, protein-rich dessert reminiscent of cheesecake.
Peanut Butter Stuffed Dates
Take 8 Medjool dates and remove the pits. Fill each with 1 tablespoon of peanut butter (total of ½ cup = 32g protein) and a small square of dark chocolate. This makes a deliciously sweet treat with plenty of protein and fiber.
High-Protein Chia Pudding
Combine ¼ cup chia seeds (7g protein) with 1 cup of milk, dairy or plant based (7-8g protein) and 2 tablespoons of hemp seeds (6g protein). Add vanilla extract and sweetener of choice. Let sit overnight for a pudding-like consistency with approximately 20g protein.
Quinoa Pudding
Cook ½ cup quinoa (8g protein) in 1 cup milk (8g protein). Once cooked, stir in one beaten egg (6g protein), cinnamon, vanilla, and honey. Cook for another 2 minutes. This warm pudding offers about 22g protein total.
But You Just Want Candy
Imagine a world where candy is actually good for you? That’s exactly what the team behind Protein Candy set out to create. The team first spent years working with food scientists to develop a snack that was both delicious and nutritious. They wanted to take the idea of traditional candy and make it into something people could enjoy without the sugar crash.
The Big Break on Dragons’ Den
A great idea is one thing, but getting the right backing to scale it up is another. That’s why co-founders Trevor Lenders and Michael Delorenzi decided to take their idea to Dragons’ Den, the popular CBC reality show where entrepreneurs pitch their businesses to a panel of investors.
Not everyone on the panel was convinced at first. High-protein candy? Some of the dragons weren’t sure there was a market for it. But Arlene Dickinson and Michele Romanow saw the potential and made a joint offer of $1 million for 15% of the business. That kind of backing was exactly what Protein Candy needed to take things to the next level.
What Makes Protein Candy Special?
So what’s the big deal about Protein Candy? The name says it all—it’s a high-protein, low-sugar alternative to traditional sweets. Each 55-gram bag packs 14 grams of protein while keeping calories at a reasonable 140 per serving. That means you can satisfy your sweet tooth without the sugar crash.
These high protein treats prove that you don’t have to sacrifice taste for health. You can have a sweet treat without experiencing the sugar spikes and crashes and without dumping a lot of sugar in your body that can lead to major health issues long term.