Most people are surprised to learn that strawberries aren’t actually berries at all—botanically speaking, that is. This member of the rose family is the enlarged receptacle of a flower.
Regardless of its origins, the strawberry is a delicious and healthy fruit that is packed with vitamins and minerals. In fact, strawberries are actually higher in vitamin C and lower in calories than oranges. They also contain folate, potassium, manganese, dietary fiber and magnesium. This makes strawberry recipes the ultimate healthy treat.
In addition to being nutritious, strawberries are also an incredibly versatile fruit that fits perfectly into Nutrisystem weight loss plans. They can be sliced, baked, pureed or even just eaten whole. Their sweet flavor makes them ideal for healthy snacks and desserts that will satisfy a sweet tooth without derailing one’s healthy lifestyle. Check out these 12 healthy and easy strawberry recipes!
1. Sweet Strawberry Cheesecake Pudding >
If you love strawberry cheesecake but don’t want to be bogged down by lots of calories and sugar, then you’re in luck. We’ve found a way to pack in the same flavors into a much healthier alternative: This Sweet Strawberry Cheesecake Pudding recipe!
Besides eating it with a spoon instead of a fork, you’ll hardly notice a difference—except that it’ll only set you back 98 calories. The pudding features fat-free cottage cheese, low-fat cream cheese, sliced fresh strawberries, vanilla extract and stevia. Blend them together, and you’re done! It’s that simple.
2. Strawberry Mint Smoothie >
If you’re a fan of smoothies, this Strawberry Mint Smoothie recipe is one you’ve got to try. The combination of strawberry with some cool mint flavor is out of this world.
To make it, all it takes to make is combining strawberries with a handful of mint leaves, nonfat plain Greek yogurt, skim milk and some stevia. Blend it all together and sip away. At only 172 calories and packed with so many healthy ingredients, this is a smoothie you can feel good about.
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3. Strawberry Chia Jam >
Jam is a great way to add some flavor—and nutrition—to your morning whole wheat toast or afternoon snack. Since this Strawberry Chia Jam recipe is only has 29 calories per serving, it’s not adding a ton of unnecessary calories.
This recipe uses chia seeds, so you can also feel good about the fact that you’re packing a good source of omega-3s into your day. You might be surprised to know that, gram for gram, chia seeds contain more omega-3s than salmon.
4. Strawberry Fields Overnight Oatmeal >
Making your own oatmeal is a lot easier than you may have thought. In this version, skim milk, Greek yogurt, strawberry jam and freshly chopped strawberries are combined with warm, fiber-filled oats.
While oatmeal is definitely known for its fiber factor, oats also pack in a variety of vitamins and minerals as well as more protein and healthy, unsaturated fats than most other grains. A bowl of this Strawberry Fields Overnight Oatmeal recipe will leave you feeling full on only 206 calories.
5. Kiwi Strawberry Slushie >
A delicious and healthy slushie might just sound too good to be true. But this Kiwi Strawberry Slushie recipe will prove it’s not. Ice, strawberries, kiwifruit, lemon juice and water are blended together for a perfectly scrumptious frozen treat.
You’ll not only get all the vitamins out of the strawberries, but the kiwi, too. Kiwi’s green flesh is full of nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin E, folate and potassium. One of these slushies is just 73 calories.
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Read More6. Strawberry Pineapple Popsicles >
Treat yourself to one of these healthy popsicles for a fun way to fit more fruit into your day. Easy-to-make, this Strawberry Pineapple Popsicle recipe combines fresh or frozen strawberries and pineapple with some water. Freeze in a popsicle tray and—voila! You’ve got some gourmet-looking homemade popsicles that are packed with vitamins and minerals.
Pineapple is known for having high amounts of vitamin C and manganese. Even better, you can enjoy one of these popsicles for just 32 calories.
7. Strawberry Feta Spinach Salad >
Strawberry recipes don’t always have to be a dessert. Combining strawberries with iron-rich spinach punches up the nutrition factor of this yummy salad.
This Strawberry Feta Spinach Salad recipe is light yet filling, and it makes a great side dish. You can also add a PowerFuel, such as some chopped nuts or chicken, and you’ve got a balanced meal.
8. Healthy Non-Alcoholic Strawberry Daiquiri >
If you’d like to enjoy a tasty strawberry daiquiri without the empty calories from the alcohol, then we’ve got you covered. This Healthy Non-Alcoholic Strawberry Daiquiri recipe is absolutely packed with strawberries—both fresh and frozen—as well as some zesty lime juice.
You’ll feel as though you’re indulging but will only be sipping a mere 55 calories per drink. A serving also counts as one SmartCarb on the Nutrisystem plan.
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Read More9. Strawberry Chocolate Protein Popcorn >
The unlikely flavor combination of strawberries, chocolate and popcorn just works in this tasty popcorn treat. Whether you’re enjoying a nighttime movie or you just need an afternoon snack, this sweet Strawberry Chocolate Protein Popcorn recipe will satisfy your cravings and only has 151 calories per serving.
The recipe starts with plain popcorn kernels that you pop right at home in your microwave. The popcorn is then misted with coconut oil cooking spray, sprinkled with chocolate protein powder and mixed with freeze dried strawberries.
10. Strawberry Delight Fro-Yo >
If you are looking for a delicious treat that won’t do any diet damage, this healthy Strawberry Delight Fro-Yo recipe is a great choice. It features four cups of frozen strawberries blended together with honey, plain non-fat yogurt and fresh lemon juice.
The mixture creates a fro-yo that is smooth and creamy. Even though it’s low in calories, it’s sure to satisfy your craving for something indulgent.
11. Strawberry Kiwi Fruit Leather >
This homemade fruit leather is one of our favorite strawberry recipes. It’s such a sweet treat that it’s almost shocking to realize it uses not only fresh kiwi and strawberries, but also a cup of spinach!
You’ll need a food dehydrator for this Strawberry Kiwi Fruit Leather recipe—which is a great tool for making other sweet-but-healthy snacks such as dried fruit. Packed with vitamins, this healthy fruit leather treat is only 65 calories per serving. It counts as one SmartCarb and one Extra on the Nutrisystem plan.
12. Strawberry Icebox Cake with Lemon >
To kick off our strawberry recipes, you can have your cake and eat it, too! If you’re looking for a delicious strawberry dessert that’s also simple to make, then this Strawberry Lemon Icebox Cake recipe just may become your go-to treat.
This icebox cake is made using only six simple ingredients. It has the flavors of vanilla, lemon, and of course, strawberry, all wrapped into one delicious cake. For all that flavor, it’s surprising that a serving is only 152 calories.
The post 12 Strawberry Recipes Sweet Enough to Eat appeared first on The Leaf.
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