Celebrate the end of clean January with a sweet treat

A small dessert consumed daily can be part of a healthy diet.

If you have worked hard to keep things under control after an indulgent festive period, maybe now is the time to begin reintroducing some sugar into your daily routine.

The key is to control portion sizes, as well as pay attention to foods that contain unnecessary added sugars, including cereals, protein bars, juices, bottled teas and coffees.

There are many alternatives to cakes, bars and gluten-packed bread treats, although it's good to remember it's also great to allow yourself to indulge once in a while in order to maintain a healthy relationship with all foods.

Routinely consuming too much added sugar can increase your risk of obesity, heart disease, diabetes and liver disease.

Why not try these popular dessert options, each with an option to make them healthier.

Acai bowls

Acai is an antioxidant-rich superfood, and if you opt for a small bowl, it offers a healthy alternative to wheat-based treats.

Go for healthy toppings like fresh fruit, nuts or seeds to keep calorie counts down.

Ice cream

You may think of this sweet treat as being off-limits, but ice cream contains calcium, vitamin D and protein.

Healthier options include gelato, frozen yoghurt and frozen fruit pops.

A great homemade cheat — that has the consistency of ice cream but without the calories — is to blitz sliced, frozen banana with 2-3 tablespoons of plant-based milk and any other fruit of your choice in a food processor or blender.

Chocolate

One way to limit the amount of chocolate you consume is to drizzle it over fruit or nuts.

Dark chocolate contains flavanols, antioxidants and minerals, and it usually contains less sugar than milk chocolate (as long as its 70% dark or higher).

However, it is still high in fat and calories, so moderation is important.

Nuts

Nuts are a healthy option on their own, as well as a good source of fibre, protein and healthy fats.

Paired with fresh or dried fruit or granola, they can satisfy sweet cravings. Try chocolate-covered nuts as this will limit the ratio of chocolate to nut.

Frozen fruit

Why not try dipping fruit in Greek yoghurt or chocolate and freeze for later? Frozen grapes or blueberries make a tasty and healthy dessert option.

Use plain or Greek yogurt which has less sugar and avoid yogurt with artificial sweeteners.