2. Chocolate: Just a little hit of chocolate can up your enjoyment factor by a lot. Go for a small spoonful (up to 1 tablespoon) of dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips or chunks.
READ MORE: The Beauty Benefits of Dark Chocolate
3. Crunch: Crumbled graham crackers or cookies, cereal, or granola are all great ways to add a little crunch. Pick the one you’re most interested in. A tablespoon should do it. Nuts are another (and less sugary) option. A tablespoon will add some healthy fats, fiber, and even a little protein, all of which can help keep your blood sugar from spiking, which leads to that sugar crash you get an hour after dessert.
4. Other stuff: Yogurt-covered raisins may sound like real food, but bear in mind they’re not all that far off from the likes of crushed candy bars, cookie dough, brownie bites, sweet-and-sour gummies, and those mad-scientist Day-Glo items you need to ask the names of. Ditto syrups and whipped cream. Once in a while, it’s totally OK, but a little goes a long way. Keep it to a teaspoon or two if you can — or a light drizzle if squeezing from a bottle.
So what are sprinkles made of, anyway?
Sprinkles are made of sugar, corn syrup, cornstarch, food-grade wax, and artificial color and flavoring. Pretty, yes, but not doing you any favors. If your cup just isn’t the same without that colorful crunch, keep it to a small serving of 1 tablespoon or less — literally just a sprinkle.
About those treats…
When it comes to that wild-card topping, choose whatever you enjoy most or are least likely to eat as part of your day-to-day diet. If you deprive yourself of something you love, you might only be setting yourself up for a full-on binge later, so once in awhile, indulge in a little bit of the real deal.
READ MORE: 7 Nutrition Hacks to Make Salad Dressing Healthier
