Just because you’re an athlete certainly doesn’t mean desserts are off-limits. Good nutrition and fuelling are key to successful performance in sport, and ensuring young athletes are eating enough and enjoying their food plays a huge role in this.

Whether you’re looking for something to satisfy that after dinner sweet tooth, or in need of an easy and nutritious snack before practice, we’ve got some great examples of quick and simple dessert ideas to satisfy the cravings and keep you on track for performance.

This deliciously creamy dessert is the perfect after-dinner dish or warming snack. Quick and easy to prepare, pop it in the oven while you sit down for dinner and you’ll have an absolute winner to serve up. And all for less than 50p per serving!

Simply mix the pudding rice, milk and vanilla extract into a large oven-proof dish and bake in a preheated oven (130° C) for 80-90 minutes, or until the milk has been absorbed and the rice is a light golden colour on top. Serve into bowls with a drizzle of honey or fruit on top and enjoy!

Providing a perfect protein top-up, these low-fat Greek yoghurt pots keep the saturated fat levels low without compromising on the delicious, creamy taste. Have them in the fridge ready to grab as a quick and easy snack, costing just 47p per serving!

400g low fat Greek yoghurt
4tsp honey
200g strawberries

Method

Really straight forward to make, just spoon the yoghurt equally into 4 pots, top with the chopped strawberries and a drizzle of honey, or try blending everything together for a smoother finish.

 

This healthier ice cream alternative packs a taste punch and is perfect for satisfying those sweet cravings on a hot summer day. Make it up with any of your favourite fruit and keep in the freezer for a delicious sweet treat.

1 banana
500g blueberries (fresh or frozen)
1 tbsp honey
500g natural or Greek yoghurt

Method

To make, simply blitz 450g of blueberries (or your favourite fruit), the banana, yoghurt and honey in a blender. Once smooth, stir in the remaining berries and share between 6 jars. Place in the freezer for around 3 hours or until frozen.

 

This creamy, sweet pudding is packed full of nutrients and will hit that sweet spot perfectly. Or, give it a try for breakfast when you need to grab something on the go or as a quick snack between your training sessions.

250ml semi-skimmed milk (or milk substitute)
4 tbsp chia seeds
Fresh fruit for topping

Method

Add the milk and chia seeds to 2 jars and give everything a good mix up. Leave it to rest for 2 minutes and then mix again to prevent clumping. Pop them in the fridge for around 2 hours and top with your favourite fresh fruit when serving.

The perfect treat to cool down after a training session on a hot day. These homemade ice lollies are easy to make and taste delicious, as well as being lower in fat and sugar than the shop-bought option, making them the perfect snack or dessert for a young athlete and only costing 52p per serving!

200g strawberries
200g raspberries
500g natural yoghurt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp honey 

Also requires 6 x 100 ml ice-lolly moulds.

Method

Simply blitz the strawberries (in a blender) until they’re a smooth pulp and place in a small bowl. Blitz the raspberries and place in a second small bowl. Mix the yoghurt, honey and vanilla extract in a third bowl. Spoon the 3 mixtures into the ice lolly moulds in any order you like, pop in the stick and place in the freezer overnight ready to grab when the sweet cravings hit.