The Mariel Diet: Desserts & Drinks

As promised, I'm back to fill you in on my favorite low-carb/sugar-free desserts and drinks. The list isn't too extensive because frankly, I'm on a diet (The Mariel Diet*, to reinforce my arrogance). I'm supposed to be giving up fabulous treats, not stuffing my face with anything and everything that tastes similar (well, "similar" might be too strong of a word. try "acceptably crappy".)

*I proclaim this as "my diet" because it is a mixture of Atkins and Weight Watchers...which I have followed both diets extensively and made adjustments that still work for me. So, it's basically low-carb, but not "Die Hard - Low Carb". It's easy for me to get caught up in being strictly low-carb, but I have found I lose weight easier when I add back in a few "bad" carbs (and I mean a FEW) rather than going cold-turkey.

Let me remind you that we are talking about Net Carbs (the carbs that matter). Net Carbs are found by subtracting the fiber AND (I didn't tell you this next one on the last post) the sugar alcohols from the Total carbs. That will be the number of carbs in what you are about to scarf.

What?? Sugar Alcohols?? What???


Okay, sugar alcohols are sweeteners that are neither sugar nor alcohol (sorry). They contain at least half the amount of calories as sugar. They aren't necessarily without carbs but most low-carb dieters have found that they can have small portions of sugar alcohols throughout the day with little to no effect* on their diet. So, my equation still stands....Total Carbs - Fiber - Sugar Alcohols = Net Carbs.

* You need to know that consuming too much sugar alcohol can (will) cause bloating and gas. So, either take it easy and have only 1 to 2 small treats per day....or tell the hubby he might want to hold those covers down tight so as not to let the smell out.

Okay, let's get on with it.

Sugar-Free Jell-O Pudding Cups. Every time I eat one of these babies, I loudly bellow "Oh my heck......are you kiiiiiiiiiidding me?!?" Seriously, every time. That's how not sugar-free they taste. These are good! They have a whole array of flavors...chocolate mint, boston creme pie, banana split, creme brule, dulce de leche...heaven...

Not only are these insanely low-carb, but these suckers actually have fiber in them! Who woulda thunk? The serving size is for TWO Popsicles, but come on...stick with one.

Atkin's has a whole line of dessert bars, but I ONLY recommend the "Endulge" line. Everything else is unbearably gross. But, I quite like these! You can find them in most grocery stores, or Wal-Marts.

I love the sugar-free candy section in the store. I pick out lots of different kinds and then dump them all together in a huge Ziploc bag that I keep in my pantry. These are quick easy treats to quench the craving. Here are some others I like:

Dove has Raspberry or Mint Creme. If you don't mind dark chocolate, try these!
Ya have to have something fruity...

So, Breyers makes a low-carb ice cream. I use the vanilla to make floats with a diet pop. But, they also have other flavors like chocolate and butter pecan.

On to drinks...

It's pretty simple...water, water, water, diet sodas, and crystal light. If I wasn't lactose intolerant I would throw in one glass of milk a day for the calcium.

The only way for me to be able to stick to a diet is to feel as much as possible that I'm not on a diet. Enter Crystal Light. 90% of these flavors blow, but there are a select 3 that I religiously buy...Tangerine/Strawberry, Ruby Red Grapefruit, and Strawberry Lemonade. They are the only ones that don't have the signature "diet" taste. Check 'em out.

I love smoothies! I could drink one every morning of my life...especially if someone else made them for me. But, I have a smoothie rule, the only added sugar that can go into it comes from a single Fiber 1 yogurt serving. No ice cream, sugars, or fruit juice with sugar in them. I buy huge bags of frozen fruit at Costco, defrost them in the microwave for a minute (so they don't wear out my blender), throw in some crushed ice, a Fiber 1 yogurt, or some 100% no sugar added juice (pomegranate is good). Yum. Sometimes, I just do fruit and nothing else. No ice, nothing. Anytime I get smoothies from Smoothie King, Jamba Juice, etc. I am completely militant with the employees that I have no sugar. The smoothies are still awesome! Diet pop, carbonation...eh, not the best thing for you. But, I'm pretty sure that belly fat is way more dangerous! So, I'm not too worried...especially because I'm not a big carbonation fan and can only drink like 1/2 to 1 can of pop a day. However, I can suggest a few diet pop favorites: Cherry Coke Zero, Cherry/Vanilla Dr. Pepper, Diet A&W Root Beer, Diet Squirt, and Diet Sunkist.

So, there you have it. I hope this gives you some ideas. There are thousands of recipes online for low-carb desserts that you can make. But, I just wanted to give you some quick easy ideas to help you from splurging because you don't have time to make a low-carb chocolate molten cake.

Tip: Besides, storing a large ziploc bag in my pantry filled with sugar-free candies, I also keep a big bowl in my fridge completely full with sugar-free puddings, jell-o's, Fiber 1 yogurt, and applesauce. It saves space, is really convenient, and is a place I know I can go to calm my sweet cravings. Love it. Love you.

*Stay tuned for "The Mariel Diet: Main Meals" and "The Mariel Diet: Rules & Tips"

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