For Those Who Need a Little Bit of Sugar
Some of us have a craving for the sugary things in life, but our bodies can’t run on chocolate alone (we think). Fear not! There are many foods you can eat to sweeten up your day. If you’re looking for a more natural sweet treat, or want to balance out a salty or savory meal, this list is for you.
1. Apples
With over seven thousand types of apples out there, it’s easy to satisfy your sweet tooth with this common fruit. Fuji, Gala, and Golden Delicious are some of your sweeter options, making them perfect to snack on alone, or to make applesauce with if you’re feeling crafty!
2. Cinnamon
The phrase ‘sweet like cinnamon’ isn’t just a colloquialism, but based on cold, hard facts. This popular spice finds its way into everything: oatmeal, pies, French toast, churros, coffee, and just about any other food that can come to mind. You can even simmer cinnamon sticks, also known as quills, with oranges, cranberries, and other herbs and spices to make your home smell amazing.
3. Figs
Figs are a great way to add some sweetness to your snack or meal, with a healthy heaping of fiber to boot. When they’re ripe, a raw fig is soft and sweet, making it a lovely snack. Of course, you can add figs to salads and cakes, or add them to a charcuterie board.
4. Sweet corn
It’s all there in the name. Sweet corn can be a tasty snack on its own, but can also be paired nicely with salads, burgers, steak, ribs, and other seasoned vegetables. Elotes, also known as Mexican street corn, is a perfect blend of sweet, spicy, and savory, and is simple enough to make. If baking is more your speed, cornbread is also a great option!
5. Peas
Sweet peas, sugar snap peas, or baby peas tend to lean on the sweeter side. This is another vegetable that can be eaten on its own, with a zesty veggie dip, or cooked, if you prefer. You can use peas in fish dishes, salads, and even as a topping for some pastas.
6. Cherry tomatoes
While tomatoes aren’t typically considered the sweetest fruit (or even a fruit at all), cherry tomatoes contain more sugar and lower acidity than their larger counterparts. You can pop cherry tomatoes into your mouth like all-natural candy, or use their sweetness to balance out a zingy bruschetta or a tangy cheese spread.
7. Cashews
Cashews are known for their natural sweetness and creamy taste, making them a yummy protein-rich snack. If you’re looking for a plant-based meal, cashews can be made into curries, soups, and stir-fries. To really incorporate cashews into your diet, you can also make or buy cashew milk, butter, and mayonnaise.
8. Sweet potatoes
Perhaps another obvious answer, but an answer all the same. Sweet potatoes are naturally sweeter than regular potatoes, with many people simply heating them up and eating them on their own. One type of potato isn’t necessarily healthier than the other, and really comes down to a matter of preference.
9. Beets
An awesome source for nutrients and fiber, the naturally sweet beet is best used in a salad or as a side dish. Beets can be pickled, candied, or roasted (especially with her best friend, the sweet potato).
10. Blueberries
Blueberries can be sweet or tart, and it varies berry to berry! But typically, this fructose-full fruit is a great option for a sweet and healthy snack. Many folks like to include blueberries in their oatmeal, granola, and protein shakes for their antioxidant benefits.
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11. Strawberries
Similar to the blueberry, strawberries are a great snack or an incredibly versatile baking option. You can be a modern-day Martha Stewart, if you so choose, filling your cupboards with jams, jellies, compotes, cobblers, and just about anything else you set your mind to.
12. Watermelon
The pinnacle of summer fruit has arrived. Watermelons are, shocker, a great source of water, and full of vitamins A through C. If you want to get the sweetest melon at the supermarket, find a melon that feels heavy for its size.
13. Carrots
What’s up, doc? This root vegetable is a satisfying snack when you’re craving something sweet. If you want to amp up the sweetness of a carrot, glaze it in some brown sugar or honey, and you have a side dish to die for.
14. Butternut squash
Similar to her cousin, the pumpkin, butternut squash is a vine fruit that has a sweet and nutty taste. Many people like to use squash as a base for soups, but they also do well smothered in garlic and oil, and roasted to perfection!
15. Bell peppers
Bell peppers, specifically red bell peppers, are the sweetest of the three. This is due to them being the ripest when compared to her green and yellow sisters! Chop up some bell peppers to enjoy on their own, or toss them in a stir fry.
16. Raspberries
Raspberries tend to be less sweet than blueberries or strawberries, but that doesn’t mean they should be forgotten. Raspberries are a good source of potassium, and are known to lower blood pressure. Enjoy alone or in a fruit salad!
17. Mangoes
This tropical fruit is rich in nutrients and antioxidants, and all around a pretty sweet snack. Mangoes can be a perfect addition to smoothies, salads, soups, sauces, and so much more.
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18. Grapes
A summer lunch staple for people everywhere! All kinds of grapes lean toward the sweeter side, but red grapes are usually sweeter than their green counterparts. You can roast, jam, grill, pickle, and blend grapes to your heart’s content, or enjoy them exactly as they are.
19. Bananas
As a high source of potassium, it’s no surprise that bananas are usually included in a balanced breakfast. And if they start to go brown, you now have some excellent specimens for banana bread!
20. Dates
Dates are used as a natural sweetener in recipes all the time, but they’re kind of an all-encompassing superfood. This small fruit definitely packs a punch, and you can eat them on their own, in a salad, or use them as a base for different soups and sauces.
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