If I had a dollar for every time someone told me about their sweet tooth – well, you know.

Hey, I’m all for treats in moderation, but it’s far too easy to get carried away and sabotage yourself when it comes to your goals.

And while there’s something to be said for learning the art of self-control and resist cravings, I’m a firm believer that there are also ways you can work a little something sweet into your plan without going completely off track.

There are plenty of little low-cal treats that can help satisfy a sweet craving, but here are just a few ideas that have worked for me that I enjoy:

#1 Low Cal Ice Cream Treats

Ice cream that’s higher in protein and lower in sugar seems to be all the rage these days. Between various brands and varieties of flavors, you’re sure to find a favorite you can delight in at the end of the day. Just make sure portions are in check!

There’s also a wide selection of individually portioned, lower calorie frozen treats to choose from that can give you a taste of something sweet, without going overboard.

#2 Hot Chocolate

For the cooler months when you need to warm up, there are several varieties of hot chocolate that keep the calories low. Many K-cup varieties clock in around 50-60 calories, while other brands like Swiss Miss also make low calorie options.

#3 Skinny Pop Mini Cakes

Rice cakes seem to get a bad rap, but they can be a great way to satisfy a sweet and crunchy craving without packing on calories.

The Cinnamon Sugar and Salted Caramel flavors by Skinny Pop are great ways to help hit that slightly sweet spot.

#4 Cereal

Cereal is another one of those things that seems to be demonized, but a mindfully portioned serving can honestly be a sweet little snack that can satisfy your craving without straying too far from your plan.

#5 Chocolate

Need I say more?

Oftentimes, I’ll indulge in a small piece of dark chocolate after dinner. I savor it, and it’s just enough to end my day on a sweet note without taking up too much space in my eating plan for the day.

Fun sizes and other individually wrapped pieces of chocolate are also a great way to have a little treat, but self-restraint is a must when you’ve got a bag of chocolate sitting in your pantry. Just sayin’.

I’m of the opinion that it’s not wrong or bad to have sweets, and unless you just don’t prefer to have them, I don’t personally think it’s the best idea to completely restrict yourself from them.

Telling yourself you can never have something sweet can create an unhealthy relationship with food, and possibly lead to a restrict-and-binge cycle that ultimately keeps you from reaching your goals.

Learning how to find balance between having more indulgent treats and exercising self-restraint is part of the journey. It can help you achieve more success in the long run, not only with a healthy lifestyle, but in your relationship with food.

Hopefully these sweet solutions can help you treat yourself while still being able to meet your goals and move toward a healthier lifestyle.