I’m on day 40 without Diet Coke. Can you believe it??
It all has to do with a #BMSChallenge that I joined in, thanks to my friend April. There’s more to it too. The BMS – stands for Body, Mind and Spirit. And it’s been great.
I’ve lost 15 pounds so far and I feel SO good. But it’s been really hard too. Not only did I have to give up my beloved Diet Coke, but also sugar. What???
And I have to say I’m not a sugar fiend, but after about a month without anything sweet, I was about to go a little psycho. So I did a little research and experimented. What I came up with is something that takes the edge off of the psycho for me when I need just a LITTLE sweetness. I tried this without the peanut butter and it wasn’t nearly as good.
So here it is. It makes a small batch but I only need about half a piece and it makes me feel like I can keep going on those days when I am struggling. My kids even like it. And it also is almost sugar free too!!
Low Carb Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge
Makes: 16 1×1 pieces.
Ingredients:
- 4 squares of unsweetened baking chocolate
- 1 cup of all- natural peanut butter
- 1/2 cup of Truvia sweetener (it’s made out of natural plants) or any other kind of natural sweetener
- 1/2 cup of half-and-half (I used fat free to cut out some calories)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- (you can add nuts if you want)
Directions:
- Melt the chocolate over a double-boiler over medium heat.
- Once the chocolate has melted, mix in the sweetener and half-and-half and stir until dissolved. It takes 5-7 minutes.
- When the chocolate has dissolved in the half-and-half, take it off the heat and stir in the peanut butter and vanilla and mix until smooth.
- Put the fudge into a square container smooth it out with a spatula. Chill until cool.
- After it’s cool you can cut the fudge into pieces. To get the cuts smooth, dip the knife into water between slices.
- Store in the refrigerator, covered.
Note – this is just something I have every once in a while to satisfy my sweet tooth. The challenge is all about eating healthy, veggies, drinking tons of water and exercise. It’s really been a lifestyle adjustment and I love how healthy I feel now.
I have one more month of the challenge. It’s been so awesome so far.
What’s YOUR favorite treat to make??
Let me know in the comments!
I would love to come over and see your recipe!
Have a Great Day!
xoxo
Jen, Is 4 squares equal to 4oz? Mine came out bitter. I was wondering if it should be 1/2 squares used. I used Baker’s unsweetened baking chocolate.
Shelley
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First, this recipe looks fabulous! Second, good for you! You go! Perhaps your success will help motivate me to do the same. As far as snacks go, this fudge is far better than my snacks — unsalted almonds, pretzels, and every once in a while, a meringue cookie.
Congrats! Glad you are having success with your weight loss and feeling good. Cutting down or eliminating sugar is huge!
Two of my favorites:
Slice a tomato into about 4-5 slices. Place on sheet pan. Top with a little Miracle Whip Lite, then sprinkle on bacon bites you have fried & broken into pieces or use bacon bits from a jar. Top with 2% American Cheese. Place under broiler until cheese starts to brown and bubble. Tastes like BLT without the bread.
The other is to take about 8 strawberries. Slice each into 3-4 slices. Place on plate your choice of 1 slice of healthy bread that has been toasted. Top with 1/2 cup low fat cottage cheese. Next take 1/2 of the strawberry slices and place on cottage cheese. Take the other half of the strawberry slices and mash them with a fork. Shake in some Stevia before placing on top of the sliced strawberries. Enjoy! Note: The sugar in fruit is natural sugar.
I’ve started using coconut oil & love Greek yogurt now. Gina is right: fat does not make you fat, sugar does.
It’s wonderful having a son who is a fitness trainer & know so much about healthy eating!
Keep up the great work Jen!
Jen,
This recipe so did not work for me. It was grainy and bitter and never did really set up properly.
As a long time make of traditional fudge, I have to give this one a thumbs down.
Any suggestions of what might have gone wrong?
This looks good! I am doing the challenge too, and I have really been craving something sweet. I don’t like to use artificial sweeteners. I wonder if this would work with honey? Plus, honey is a neutral on our list. I might have to do some experimenting to see if it works out! I have never had luck making fudge, though, so I am not sure how it would go! That is awesome you are down 15 pounds! I am down 10. I have 10 more to go to get to my goal weight. Giving up my regular Pepsi was so hard so I feel for you!
I am bookmarking this, really want to try it. I’ve got a thing for Diet Coke too…specifically Diet CHERRY Coke from Sonic, during Happy Hour. Oh how I love it. I don’t have one everyday, several times a week though. I’ve cut back, from a Rt. 44 size to a Medium. Small steps…
Looks divine, but I would have trouble just eating one piece!
My plan is to start The Fast Metabolism Diet in the next week or so (can you sense some procrastination there?). I went without Diet Pepsi for 6 weeks and it was the strangest thing…I felt worse but I’m going to have to do it again…hopefully this time for good. So glad you found something to help with your cravings and a big woot to you in sticking to such a healthy lifestyle.
Congrats on being diet coke free! I gave it up in January of 2010 and I haven’t looked back. I also lost weight and I felt like my memory started working again. Keep up the good work!
This looks delicious…but could I use regular sugar if I wanted (in place of Truvia)?
Hi Robin!! Yes you totally could!!
xox
This sounds so yummy! I’m going to try it. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Wow! That’s amazing! I’m TRYING to love water, and not soda (esp. Diet Coke). It’s so hard! Did you just switch over to water?
yum! that looks great and I love the healthy ingredients! Way to go being healthy!
Good for you for making changes for better health. Giving up sodas was also one of the first steps I took on my journey to better health. I’ve since lost over 50 pounds. The tip I have is not to keep sweets in the house. If I want a treat, I go out for it. It’s hard for me to stop at just a bite or two so I limit how much is available to me.
Thanks for sharing!
I can relate! I compiled the Whole 30 and cut out diet coke & sugar. The first week was rough!! I do feel so much better tho.
Hi Jen!
Wow, 40 days without diet Coke! I have to say, that is amazing! I know I should give it up, too! And this recipe looks delicious, and I love that it is a little less heavy on the sugar and calories. Thank you for sharing this!
I guess for a treat I love to make scones. Even though they are technically a breakfast food, my family likes to eat them for dessert, too, so they disappear fast! {But I still make sure to snag one!}
I hope you are having a good week!
Blessings,
Jenni
Your pics are awesome and I am pinning the recipe 🙂
Thanks so much 🙂
xoxo
Congrats on the 15 lbs, although you certainly do not look like you need to lose it! And thank you for this simple and quick recipe for a snack to take the edge off.
Thanks!! I’ve gained about 25 pounds since I have started blogging. So it feels great to get healthier. Too much sitting around on the computer LOL!
xoxo
I am so jealous!! i am addicted to diet coke and all i want is to get over the addiction, but i can’t. i need to and really do want to, but it is so hard!! PLEASE tell me your secrets??!! need your help!! lol
I am not sure what clicked for me this time. But it really wasn’t that hard to do . I think just being in that mind set that these are the things I have to do and taking it one step at a time. I found that having a sugar free carbonated drink helped when I was having that craving.
Good luck!! You can do it!!
xoxo
Go Jen!!!
Thanks my friend!! It feels so good to be healthier!
xoxox
You look absolutely fabulous! And I’m totally going to try this fudge!
Oh thanks Emily! It was so fun seeing you the other day!!
You always look fabulous!
xoxox
looks so creamy!! I love fudge and hubby loves peanutbutter!
Thanks Angie!! I really think the peanut butter makes it!
xoxo
Thank you for the delicious looking recipe – I need to make this. My sister and I were bouncing ideas about how else to make this – like with coconut butter and almond butter, using coconut milk instead of half and half, using 1/2 heavy cream and 1/2 almond milk etc etc. Thanks for giving us a great jumping off point besides a great tasting recipe – who doesn’t like peanut butter and chocolate? Oh…and how about in place of the chocolate using cocoa butter…so many ideas!! 🙂 I also use Swerve and really like it. It’s made without any GMO ingredients and tastes pretty “normal”.
Hi Marian!
Those are all such great ideas!! I can’t wait to hear what you come up with. Will you let me know?? I would love to try out your version!! I will have to check out Swerve – it sounds great!
xoxo
Jen, again I say – you’re my hero! how awesome!!!! this recipe is soooo needed for people who are cutting back! can’t wait to try it!
way to go!
xoxo
Ah I love you!! You are my hero. Everything you do is so awesome and you are such a wonderful mom.
xoxoxoo
Way to go Jen!!! I didn’t know that you were of Diet Coke!! I’ve been off DP since February and it feels so much better (but I do miss it sometimes still). Congrats!! xoxo
Mique! I didn’t know that you have been off DP. Congratulations!!! I do miss my DC sometimes too. It’s hard but worth it, right.
Love you my friend!
xoxo
Congratulations! Giving up sugar is so very difficult, even just cutting down!! I’ve been working with a nutritionist as I have sugar issues (you can look her up on Twitter, she’s so awesome @DieticianCassie). The only real stevia (not mixed with fructose) that I love is by Sweetleaf. Truvia is mixed with fuctose. You can get it at Whole Foods (I get it at Amazon). It’s great mixed in with full fat greek yogurt. Fat doesn’t make you fat, sugar does 🙂 Check out her blog, full of great, real info that contradicts what we’ve been taught about eating low fat and such.
Keep up the great work!!
Hi Gina!!
Thanks for all of that great info! I love hearing everyone’s answers, it’s my favorite part of blogging. I am so excited to check out all of those ideas!!
xoxox
I gave up diet coke 5 years ago. It’s nasty stuff. The recipe sounds good. One of my favorite sweet treats is small carton plain Greek yogurt, 1 TB whipped Peanut butter, dash of cinnamon and vanilla and I dip apple slices in it. If you want savory use plain Greek yogurt and 1 TB Lipton onion soup mix and dip veggies in it. Both so good and so low cal, healthy and just darn right tasty.
Hi Lisa!! Congratulations!! 5 years is amazing. And thanks for the treat ideas. I am excited to try the sweet and the savory ones you mentioned. Yum!!
xxo
Wow! 15 pounds is no easy feat! Good for you. I love experimenting with recipes to make them just a little bit healthier. Sounds like this fudge hits the bill. Thanks for the recipe and good luck with the rest of your challenge.
Thanks Katie!! It’s been really fun and it’s really helped change my lifestyle.
xxo
Impressive! I am down to less than 1 can of diet pepsi a day! And, I have figured out that when I am stressed I want my diet coke. The Starbucks Refreshers are helping me tremendously. I dilute the individual packets with 1 quart of water and add lime to make it feel special! Maybe I should post this? !!! Congrats! You don’t look like you have 14 pounds to lose!!! Great job! [email protected]
Hi Laura!
Thos refrreshers sound good! I have been having some Crystal Light every once in awhile. GOod for you for getting off colas. It’s hard!
Thanks for stopping by!
xxo
Oh it looks so good. I’m completely impressed at your progress & what you have accomplished. WOW!! That is something to be celebrated.
Thanks Gina!! It’s been so good. I feel so much better and healthier!
xoxox
Has anyone found another good natural sweetener alternative. I have tried a few items with stevia (in different forms) and they all give me headaches, so I’ve stuck to using other sugar substitutes for now.
Maybe try Agave Honey? Stevia . Of course, my dr said 1 teaspoon of sugar is not bad if I am not eating the other 45 teaspoons in my chocolate addiction :0)
Thanks for the suggestion Laura! I need to try agave honey 🙂
xoxo
I’ve seen agave syrup but not honey. I’ll have to look for it. Yeah, I have a bit of a chocolate addiction too.
Last November I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, and made some big low carb changes to my diet. I also discovered Swerve sweetener, which is a better option than Truvia. My favorite treat this summer are creamy peanut butter popsicles. http://alldayidreamaboutfood.com/2013/05/chocolate-covered-peanut-butter-popsicles-low-carb-and-gluten-free.html I also make low carb magic shell to dip them. http://mariahealth.blogspot.com/search?q=magic+shell&x=0&y=0
Keep up the good work!
Chris, I’ve never heard of Swerve, where do you get it? Would love to try another option, but still would have to get off my diet mountain dew problem. 🙂
That is great that you have lost 15 lbs. I kind of wish I would have gotten in on this challenge from April. I have a friend that invited me to do it, and it sounds like a great program. This treat looks delish!! I’m glad you found something to help you enjoy some treats. 🙂
Thanks Amy!!
It’s been really good so far. Lots of exercise and veggies. I think she’s going to do another round of the challenge in September if you want to join in. I’m going to do it again. It really is kind of a lifestyle adjustment. It’s been really fun!
xoxo
http://blog.fooducate.com/2013/07/20/warning-stevia-sweeteners-may-not-be-as-natural-as-you-think/
Thanks for the info Kath! I will definitely look into other types of sweeteners. This was my first experience with something other than plain sugar.
xox
Neither Truvia nor fat-free creamer are good for you. Try a pure brand of Stevia and coconut oil or regular old dairy cream instead for a “clean eating” option, and make sure your PB only has peanuts as an ingredient – many have added hydrogenated oils. You will lose weight on low carb but you will feel great when you go paleo and cut the crap marketed as food and get enough veggies. You can also use cocoa powder and coconut oil as a baking chocolate substitute.
Look up Truvia on Fooducate blog, it has sugars in it and GMO corn.
Thanks for the suggestions Kath! I was just looking for something that tasted good that I could have every once in a while. I will definitely look into other types of natural sweeteners. It’s been a really great experience so far. Lots of veggies and exercise.
Have a great day!
xox
so, when do you put in the half & half????
Hi Chrisie!
You put in the half and halg after the chocolate has melted. Thanks for pointing that out. I just fixed the recipe 🙂
xoxo
Well hello yummy!!! 15lbs whoa that is fab. 15 will get me to my goal!
Hi Amanda!
It has been an amazing challenge so far. Lots of exercise and veggies. It feels so great to get healthier.
xoxo