This Saturday is National Tropical Fruit Day. We always feel like enjoying tropical fruits takes us on a mini tropical vacation. The flavors transport us to somewhere where everyone is wearing flower leis and life moves more slowly. When we don’t have the time or money for a vacation, the flavors of paradise can work as a mental substitute.
Not all tropical fruits are low in carbs. However, some, like coconut, play a large role in low-carb baking. For others, you have to get creative to enjoy their flavor, as they don’t fit easily into a low-carb diet. Here are four wonderful low-carb fruit recipes for you to choose from!
This is a fast cookie recipe that is almost impossible to mess up. The important thing is you have to use almond flour, not coconut flour. You might be tempted to go coconut on coconut, but the flours aren’t interchangeable. A serving has 123 calories, four grams of carbs, two grams of fiber and 11 grams of fat. Get the recipe.
Mango isn’t exactly a low-carb fruit. However, enjoying a portion of a baked good with mango versus eating a whole mango is far fewer carbs. While mango might not be ideal on its own, this recipe uses a cup of mango puree, and the final dessert serves 16. These mango cheesecake bars are creamy and luscious. But they only have 152 calories, five grams of carbs, one gram of fiber and 14 grams of fat. Get the recipe.
If you remember the ‘90s, every drink was strawberry-kiwi. It’s a pretty hard flavor combo to beat. These popsicles are also pretty hard to beat as they have six ingredients if you include salt and water. We love how simple and sweet they are. They are perfect for cooking off on a hot day. A serving has 28 calories, 18.5 grams of carbs, 1.2 grams of fiber and zero grams of fat. Get the recipe.
A papaya milkshake is a popular treat in the Dominican Republic. It’s creamy and delicious. Because papaya has natural enzymes that break down proteins, it can’t be made in advance: it will lose its creamy texture. Papayas are rich in beneficial fiber that can help gut health and aid blood sugar. A serving has 125 calories, 21 grams of carbs, three grams of fiber and three grams of fat. Get the recipe.
We hope you enjoy these recipes as you go on a mental vacation sometime soon!
