Dessert can sometimes be a somewhat foreign concept if you are cursed with multiple food allergies, follow a strict Paleo diet or have other dietary restrictions. The following scenarios ring true for many of us who fall into these buckets:

Scenario 1: You are celebrating a milestone event with friends and family at a swanky restaurant. Dinner plates are cleared and it is time for dessert and coffee. Naturally, there is almost nothing on the dessert menu that you can tolerate. The waiter takes orders and returns a few minutes later with a tray of mostly decadent treats and after dinner drinks. You look around in sheer awe of the masterful cakes, mousses and ice creams at your table. Then, you look down at your plate of … wait for it … fruit. Suddenly, a strong wave of disappointment hits you as you gaze longingly at the spectacular dessert plates in front of everyone else at your table.

Scenario 2: You are invited to a backyard barbecue birthday party at a friend’s house. Everyone surprises the birthday girl or guy with a sheet cake, candles and of course, the Happy Birthday song. All of the guests line up to grab a piece of cake …except for you. You sit there watching everyone enjoying every last crumb of their cake slices. A guest even asks you if you think you are Gwyneth Paltrow or something because you are skipping dessert. (Yes, I was actually asked that exact question at a party once.)

Let’s face it; dessert time can be awkward for those of us who have restricted diets. It often forces us to disclose our food allergies publicly or make other excuses for shooing away the sweet treats.

Dessert time doesn’t have to be a bummer for us, though. With some careful planning, we too can join in on the sweet after dinner fun. Here are five dessert ideas that offer the perfect indulgences on special occasions:

1. Frozen Banana “Ice Cream”

Appropriate for those who are gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, egg-free, nut-free, Paleo or follow a Low FODMAP diet.

During the dog days of summer, there isn’t anything more satisfying than a bowl of ice cream. While plenty of non-dairy ice cream options are readily available in most grocery stores and health food stores, these “ice creams” are often loaded with added sugar, chemicals and other ingredients that we just don’t need to consume – even on special occasions.

No need to fret! Would you believe that there is actually a healthy, allergy friendly “ice cream” option available with zero added sugar? This fabulous “ice cream” includes just one key ingredient: frozen bananas! I must say I was absolutely amazed at the creamy texture and ice-cream like taste the first time that I tasted blended frozen bananas. Best of all, it is incredibly easy to make. This is also the perfect recipe if you are trying to limit the sugar intake of your children; they will never know this is a healthy treat!

Kitchen Tools/Items You Will Need:

• Blender
• Knife
• Ziploc Bag

Ingredients

• 2 ripe bananas make 1 serving (peeled, sliced and frozen for several hours)
• Topping of your choice

Instructions

1. Peel 2 ripe bananas.
2. Cut into small pieces.
3. Place banana pieces in a Ziploc bag.
4. Freeze banana slices for several hours.
5. When ready to make the “ice cream”, dump the bag of banana pieces into the blender. Blend for 20-30 seconds (more time might be needed for less powerful blenders).
6. Pour into ice cream dish and add the healthy topping of your choice (slivered almonds, raspberries, blueberries, etc.). Enjoy!

While a bag of frozen bananas would not be appropriate to bring to a restaurant for obvious reasons, these frozen banana bags can be easily brought to the homes of friends and family. Almost everyone has a blender handy and this recipe can be made with almost no fuss. If you don’t feel comfortable showing up to a party with frozen bananas in hand, simply save this treat for when you get home.

2. Barnana Banana Bites

Appropriate for those who are gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, egg-free, nut-free, Paleo or follow a Low FODMAP diet.

Sticking with the banana theme, I recently stumbled upon my new favorite treat, Barnana Organic Chewy Banana Bites, while running a quick errand at my local drug store. The Barnana packages were placed in close proximity to the registers at the front of the store and caught my attention right away.

I guess I’ve always been a sucker for clever packaging, products advertised as being organic and anything banana flavored (as evidenced by my number one desert pick above). I didn’t realize at the time I first purchased these bites that they were actually a healthy snack.

If you don’t look at the ingredients closely, you will probably assume like I did that you are eating something naughty because the bites are so sweet and chewy. These banana bites have only two ingredients, though: bananas and water. You can’t get more natural than that! The bananas go through a dehydration process that is described in detail on the product packaging.

Consider bringing these along with you to your next dinner engagement or party. Dessert time might be much more enjoyable if you have these delicious bites to chew!

Barnana Organic Chewy Banana Bites are available at many drug stores, grocery stores, vitamin stores and health food shops. Although they offer several different flavor options (including plain, chocolate, coconut and peanut butter), I keep things simple by opting for the plain variety.

Prices can vary by store. One store by me sells a bag for close to $7, while another offers them at $4.99. Online retailers offer the best deals by far; some like Amazon offer amazing prices on packages of three or subscription services.

3. RXBARs

Appropriate for those who are gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free and Paleo. These bars ate not Low FODMAP diet friendly because they contain dates.

For the longest time, it was nearly impossible to find a protein bar that was healthy, grain-free and tasty. Most protein bars out there have a lot of junk in them (sugar, chemicals, etc.) or taste like cardboard.

I was beyond excited when I discovered RXBARs last year. The company markets these bars as whole food protein bars with no B.S. And that is totally the truth!

Although available in 12 different flavors (chocolate sea salt, blueberry, apple cinnamon, mint chocolate, coconut chocolate, peanut butter, peanut butter chocolate, maple sea salt, chocolate chip, mixed berry, coffee chocolate and pumpkin spice), they all (with the exception of the peanut butter bars) contain the same 4 basic ingredients: 3 egg whites, 6 almonds, 4 cashews and 2 dates. I recommend avoiding the peanut butter bars and peanuts in general for reasons discussed here. All of the other flavors are solid options, though! (And no, they do not currently offer a banana flavor option.)

I usually drop one of the bars in my purse before heading out to a big event. Although not quite the same as a chocolate cake or other heavenly dessert, these bars provide a respectable alternative to the many desserts that you can’t eat at most restaurants or parties. My favorite flavors are the chocolate sea salt (if you are craving something salty, sweet and chocolate) and blueberry (if you are in the mood for something just sweet) options.

Best of all, these RXBARs are popping up everywhere. The cheapest option, though, is to order online here or here.

4. Hu Bars from Hu Kitchen

Appropriate for those who are gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, egg-free or follow a Paleo diet. Most of the bars are Low FODMAP diet friendly.

Hu Kitchen has started a food revolution in New York City. They operate two popular restaurants in Manhattan that focus on pre-industrial, healthy, non-GMO, organic and gluten-free foods. They also make out-of-this-world Paleo and vegan friendly chocolate bars.

Hu chocolate bars are one of my favorite treat options for special occasions. Hu Kitchen offers 8 different chocolate bar options, including hazelnut praline, crunchy banana, crunchy mint, salty chocolate and simple chocolate. All options have no refined sugar, cane sugar, gluten, dairy, emulsifiers, stabilizers, soy or GMOs.

Each bar is made from a few simple ingredients. For example, the salty chocolate bar contains just cacao, sea salt and organic coconut sugar. I challenge you to find a healthier chocolate bar!

Besides having only natural ingredients, these bars are absolutely scrumptious. I almost can’t tell the difference between these bars and some high-end chocolate bars that are loaded with sugar and crappy ingredients.

Those of you in the greater NYC area can pick these tasty bars up at Hu Kitchen restaurants, Fairway markets or Whole Foods. If the bars are unavailable in your location, Hu Kitchen also offers the option to purchase these bad boys online.

5. Healthy Hot Chocolate with Barlean’s Greens Chocolate Silk

Appropriate for those who are gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, Paleo or follow a Low FODMAP diet.

Most of us with dairy allergies have to skip the coffee or hot chocolate at restaurants or gatherings because non-dairy milk options are not usually available. We can now indulge in a hot chocolate treat when we get home! Barlean’s Greens Chocolate Silk powder mixed with the heated unsweetened nut milk of your choice offers a healthier and more nutritious option compared to standard hot chocolate. On hot summer nights, you can even make iced drinks with this versatile powder.

This Greens powder packs a healthy punch as it features 50 super foods, supplements and antioxidants. The silky chocolate flavor is thanks to 100% natural cocoa powder. The whole family will benefit from sipping this drink hot or cold. The best part of this powder, besides the oh-so pleasant chocolate flavor, is that there is zero added sugar. In fact, it is only sweetened with natural stevia extract.

Barlean’s Greens Chocolate Silk powder is available in most vitamin and health food stores. Some retailers like Whole Foods also carry this powder. For the best bang for your buck, purchase this powder online here.

Note for those of you following a Low FODMAP diet: Mix the powder with 1/2 cup of nut milk only and fill the rest of your glass/mug with water. It’s just as delicious and Low FODMAP diet compliant this way.

Cheers to Having Dessert Options!

I hope that these options provide you with some new dessert ideas to avoid feeling left out of future celebrations! Although these desserts are fabulous and delicious (and mostly very nutritious!), all of these treats are probably best consumed only every once in a while. Do you have any other allergy friendly or diet friendly dessert hacks? Feel free to share your treat ideas in the comments section below.

Sweet dreams!!

For more healthy snack/dessert options, click here.