“Typically you’re buying a bag of refined flour, sugar, salt—all the things that make food taste good,” says Christy Brissette, RD, president of 80 Twenty Nutrition. “But from a nutrition standpoint, aren’t the greatest.” The artificial colors, emulsifiers, and artery-clogging partially hydrogenated oils don’t help things, either. Suddenly, those cupcakes don’t sound quite so tempting, do they? (Pick up some healthier habits, weight loss tips, clean recipes and more by signing up for Prevention’s FREE newsletters!) Thankfully, dessert lovers, there are mixes with ingredients that won’t give you flashbacks to high school chemistry class. Here are some mouthwatering, more wholesome options to try:
Immaculate Baking Company Yellow Cake Mix
Immaculate Baking Company earns praise for its clean ingredient panel (no artificial colors or preservatives here) that reads like a recipe. “I’m always excited when I can look at an ingredient list, and it says: whole wheat flour, chocolate chips, baking soda,” says Marisa Moore, RDN, of Marisa Moore Nutrition. PRO TIP: Even when you’re using a better-for-you mix, dessert is almost always caloric, so portion size still matters. “You still want to make sure you treat it as a treat,” Moore says. (For help keeping your portions in check, dig into these 6 ways to stop overeating.) Buy now: $5 each, jet.com
Among Friends Suzie Q’s Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix
When they’re made from whole grains, cookies are far kinder to your body. This particular mix combines oats, whole wheat, and flaxseed, to create cookies with a respectable four grams of fiber per serving. Among Friends also earns bonus points for using actual chocolate chips—instead of the globs of artificial flavors and vegetable oil that many other brands provide. “Overall, this is a decent choice for an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie,” Brissette says. (To ensure a perfect batch, don’t miss these 6 reasons you botched that batch of cookies.) PRO TIP: If this particular mix doesn’t speak to you, look for something that’s made from whole grains and has at least 3 grams of fiber, 3 grams of protein, and clocks in at about 150 calories per serving, Brissette suggests. This combination of nutrients will help ward off hunger-fueling blood sugar spikes. Buy now: $6 each, jet.com
Simple Mills Naturally Gluten-Free Almond Flour Muffin Mixes, Variety Pack
It’s not easy to find a muffin that clocks in at just 90 calories a serving, but Simple Mills brings their customers just that. Available in traditional flavors like banana, chocolate, and pumpkin, these muffins also provide a respectable bit of protein and fiber. Brissette likes that the ingredient list contains whole foods like banana, coconut, and vitamin E-rich almond flour. (For more ways to sneak nutrition into your sweets, don’t miss these 7 delicious desserts secretly packed with veggies.) PRO TIP: Kick your morning off with even more filling fiber by mixing some flax into your muffin batter, Brissette suggests. Buy now: $23 for 3 boxes, amazon.com Got a sweet tooth? Try this easy blueberry muffin parfait:
Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Homemade Wonderful Bread
When baking from scratch isn’t an option, Eliza Savage, RD, of Middleberg Nutrition likes to whip up a fresh loaf of bread using a mix from Bob’s Red Mill. “They generally use cleaner ingredients,” Savage says. “I’m not always somebody to say jump to the gluten-free options, but the gluten-free and organic choices generally have fewer preservatives.” PRO TIP: Want your bread to have a soft, golden crust? Coat it with an egg wash before popping it into the oven. Buy now: $17 for 4 boxes, amazon.com
Trim Healthy Mama Baking Blend
This mix proves that if you start with the right base, biscuits, cakes, and even pizza can actually carry some nutrition. Brissette recommends using this baking blend, made with oat fiber, almond and coconut flours, instead of regular refined flour. It clocks in at an impressive 11 grams of fiber and 6 grams of protein per serving. “These nutrients keep you full and can help you manage your weight,” Brissette says. PRO TIP: Use this mix just as you would use white flour. Super easy! Buy now: $17 per bag, amazon.com MORE: 4 Things That Happened When I Started Eating Dessert Every Day
Whole Note Gluten Free Baking Mix, Create-A-Muffin Mix
The beauty of this vanilla muffin mix is it allows you to customize your pastries using things like nuts and fresh fruit for added nutrition. Brissette likes that it’s low in sugar (for a pastry, at least) and that bean flour and flax pump up the fiber and the protein content. (For even more fiber- and protein-packed desserts, try some of these surprising ways to get your sweet fix with chickpeas.) PRO TIP: Love the delightful texture, and smaller serving size muffin tops offer? Ditch the muffin pan and drop spoonfuls of this prepared mix onto a cookie sheet instead. While the baking temperature should remain the same, the baking time will likely be shorter. Keep a close eye on the oven to ensure they don’t burn. Buy now: $25 for 3 boxes, amazon.com
Simple Mills Artisan Bread Mix
Focaccia can be healthy? Yes, with this mix from Simple Mills. Made from just six ingredients that Brissette notes are all “real food,” this mix also has less than one gram of sugar per serving. The fiber-rich almond flour and flax ups the mix’s nutritional profile even further, making it a winning pick. (Psst: here are 15 more nutritionist-approved carbs you should know about.) PRO TIP: Mix in your favorite spices to amp up the flavor of your bread. Use fresh rosemary, sea salt, and grated cheese for a classic focaccia flavor. Buy now: $22 for 3 boxes, amazon.com