The Leaf | Healthy Weight Loss Blog

The best way to get your daily servings of fruit? In dessert, of course. From warm cobblers to cool ice cream, these sweet and satisfying treats put healthy fruits front and center. The best time to enjoy these fruity classics? Fruit season, of course! 10 Reasons You Need to Eat More Fruits & Veggies Read More Check out 11 of our favorite dessert recipes perfect to whip up during fruit season: 1. Skinny Peach Cobbler > This cobbler is one of our favorite desserts to whip up during fruit season. One bite of this and you’ll swear you’re cheating. The soft, juicy peaches are sprinkled with nutmeg and brown sugar; the cinnamon-hinted homemade crust is baked to golden crisp; the cobbler combination—sinfully delicious. But get this: Each serving is only 135 calories. High on the yumminess scale, zero on the guilt. 2. Banana Nice Cream > Four ingredients: That’s all you need to make this scrumptiously sweet, super creamy treat. Freeze ripe bananas, then toss them into

Bloating can feel like a cruel trick when you’re trying to lose weight. Even when you’re sticking with your healthy eating plan, you can get a noticeable bulge in your belly after eating. Not only does bloating make your midsection look bigger and your clothes feel tighter, the pressure in your abdomen can be uncomfortable and even painful at times. Chronic bloating may be a symptom of a serious medical condition, but for most people it is an occasional problem that can be relieved with a few smart choices. Here’s what you need to know and what you can do to reduce it: Bloating can happen when your body is retaining a lot of fluids, you have excessive amounts of solids in your gastrointestinal tract or gas is trapped in your digestive system. Irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease and various cancers can all cause bloating. If you experience frequent or sudden bloating, discuss it with your health-care provider to be sure you’re not suffering from one of these or anoth

Open-flame cooking brings out the best flavor in just about every food. When you grill vegetables and fruits, their natural sugars caramelize and they taste even sweeter. Many favorite fruits are fast and easy to grill, and they make a deliciously different ingredient, side dish, snack or treat. Because they are nutrient-rich, filled with fiber and low to medium on the Glycemic Index, grilled fruits are SmartCarbs that you can enjoy without impeding progress toward your weight loss goal. (Just be sure to consult your Grocery Guide for proper portion sizes .) Ready to try grilled fruits? Here are a few tips for success with all fruits and hints for enjoying 10 great tastes of the season: Basket, Pan or Skewers The grates that came with your grill are shaped for cooking meat, but less substantial ingredients, such as pieces of fruit, are prone to falling through as they heat up. When grilling fruit, put it in a wire basket or on a tray with small holes that allow the flames to tou

With nicer weather comes BBQs, picnics and parties galore. As we always say, you don’t need to sacrifice taste or tradition just because you are on a healthy regimen. On the contrary, we have numerous delicious recipes perfect for the whole gang to enjoy. So dig in—the healthy way—with these delicious and healthy recipes that have you covered from the first sip to the last bite! Drink: 1. Skinny White Sangria Mocktail > This sophisticated sipper has all the sparkle and flavor of sangria without the alcohol. Ahhh, now that’s refreshing! Get the recipe here. 2. Raspberry Lemonade Slushie > With just five ingredients and counting as only one SmartCarb, this tutti frutti slushie brings all the taste without the guilt. Get the recipe here. Nosh: 3. Not So Devilish Deviled Eggs > A classic BBQ staple has been reimagined in this delicious recipe that’s both tasty and healthy. Get the recipe here. 4. Cauliflower Buffalo Bites > Ditch the high calorie buffalo chick