3 Healthy No Bake Protein Powder Dessert Recipes

Fitness fans, rejoice! The protein-filled dessert trend lets you satisfy your sweet tooth in a healthy way and helps you build or maintain your muscles. But with all the protein dessert recipes floating around the Internet, where does one even begin? We spoke with Megan Roosevelt, a registered dietitian and founder of Healthy Grocery Girl, to get three of her favorite protein-packed sweets: one that's gluten-free, one that's vegan, and another that's low-calorie.

Roosevelt says the key to making protein desserts taste great is simple:

"First, choose real ingredients," she says. "For example, make a dessert with 100-percent real maple syrup instead of a low-calorie, sugar-free maple syrup or artificial sweeteners. Although real maple syrup may be higher in calories, it's healthier for you because it contains real nutrients—think vitamins and minerals. Real ingredients will help your dessert taste really great!"

And while many of these healthy desserts use added protein powder (which also helps serve as the sweetener), Roosevelt also likes to use ingredients that are naturally high in protein (nuts, seeds, and bean-based flours like quinoa or chickpea).

If you do opt for protein powder, she says to choose one that's low in sugar and has minimal added ingredients. Also, keep in mind the temperature at which you bake your dessert: "In general, any food cooked above 115 degrees Fahrenheit is no longer considered a raw' food, and therefore the nutritional value can decrease."

If that's a concern, try a no-bake recipe instead to preserve all of the good things you're mixing into your treat. Below are three of her favorites:

Low-Calorie Banana Ice Cream with Chocolate Chips and Protein__