Low Calorie Desserts Under 200 Calories: 10 Ideas With Macros
You can have dessert and still keep to your numbers. This guide collects 10 desserts under 200 calories, each with its protein and carbs, so you can pick the one that suits your craving. They come from two of our cookbooks: the Low Calorie Desserts Cookbook (200 recipes from 70 to 190 calories) and the Sugar Free Desserts Cookbook (100 recipes from 45 to 195 calories).
Why count dessert at all?
Desserts are where calories tend to sneak in, because a shop-bought slice of cake, a pastry or a scoop of ice cream can easily be several hundred calories. Knowing the number in advance means you can fit a sweet treat into your day on purpose, instead of guessing or giving up on it altogether. Homemade versions also let you choose better ingredients: more fruit, yogurt and protein, and less refined sugar.
10 desserts under 200 calories
| Recipe | Calories | Protein | Carbs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peach Sorbet | 90 | 1 g | 23 g |
| Strawberry Yogurt Parfait | 120 | 7 g | 18 g |
| Raspberry Chia Pudding | 140 | 6 g | 18 g |
| Blueberry Frozen Yogurt Bark | 150 | 10 g | 22 g |
| Pineapple Coconut Cups | 150 | 3 g | 26 g |
| Sugar-Free Chocolate Mousse | 165 | 8 g | 14 g |
| Vanilla Protein Ice Cream | 175 | 22 g | 9 g |
| Chocolate Protein Mug Cake | 180 | 16 g | 18 g |
| Mini Berry Cheesecake Cups | 190 | 9 g | 20 g |
| Sugar-Free Chocolate Mug Cake | 190 | 14 g | 16 g |
How to pick one
- Lightest: the Peach Sorbet at 90 calories is the smallest treat on the list, and the Strawberry Yogurt Parfait at 120 calories is a good fruit-led option.
- Most protein: the Vanilla Protein Ice Cream has 22 g of protein for 175 calories, with the Chocolate Protein Mug Cake next at 16 g.
- Chocolate fix: the Sugar-Free Chocolate Mousse, the Chocolate Protein Mug Cake and the Sugar-Free Chocolate Mug Cake all cover it.
- Fresh and fruity: the Raspberry Chia Pudding, Pineapple Coconut Cups and Blueberry Frozen Yogurt Bark are light and bright.
- Something that feels indulgent: the Mini Berry Cheesecake Cups at 190 calories are the closest to a bakery dessert.
Making dessert part of your week
The easiest way to keep treats on track is to plan them. Decide on two or three dessert nights, pick the recipe in advance and include it in your day's total before you start. A 150 calorie dessert after a 400 calorie dinner is a very manageable evening. Planning also removes the late-night decision, which is when most of us reach for something much larger than we intended.
Tips for lighter desserts that still taste good
Use ripe fruit, because natural sweetness means you need less added sugar. Choose Greek yogurt or cottage cheese for creaminess with protein. Weigh toppings such as nuts, chocolate and coconut, since they are the easiest way to push a 150 calorie dessert past 250. Serve in a small bowl or glass, which makes a modest portion look generous. And eat it slowly, at the table, rather than out of the container.
Make-ahead and storage
Several of these desserts keep well. Chia pudding and parfaits can be made the night before and kept covered in the fridge. Frozen yogurt bark and sorbet live in the freezer and can be portioned out as needed. Mug cakes are best made fresh because they take only a few minutes. Making a batch on Sunday means a counted, ready-to-eat treat is always waiting.
Sugar-free versus low calorie
Low calorie and sugar free are not the same thing. A dessert can be low in calories but still contain sugar from fruit or honey, and a sugar-free dessert can still have plenty of calories from fat. The Sugar Free Desserts Cookbook is useful if you are watching sugar. If you manage diabetes or blood sugar, check the carbohydrate figure on each recipe and ask your healthcare provider what fits your plan.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good low calorie dessert?
Fruit-based desserts such as sorbet, parfaits and chia pudding are among the lightest. This list ranges from 90 to 190 calories.
Can a dessert be high in protein?
Yes. The Vanilla Protein Ice Cream has 22 g of protein for 175 calories, and the Chocolate Protein Mug Cake has 16 g for 180.
Are these desserts healthy?
They are lighter than most traditional desserts, but whether something is right for you depends on your own needs. If you have a medical condition, speak with your doctor or a registered dietitian.
Where are the recipes?
In the Low Calorie Desserts Cookbook and Sugar Free Desserts Cookbook. You can also save by getting both with the Desserts & Snacks Bundle.
More sweet and snack ideas
Browse the full Desserts, Snacks & Drinks collection.
Recipes are for general informational purposes and are not medical or nutritional advice. Calorie and macro values are calculated estimates.