5 kosher foods best for your Sweet Tooth

Many people who observe the kosher laws struggle with finding sweets they can eat during their jewish trips. Either they don’t know which products are kosher, or they feel that making a list of what is not permitted makes them more interested in having it.

Kosher laws are not meant to restrict your enjoyment of food, but rather to make sure that what you do eat is pure and uncontaminated.

The laws of kashrut (kosher) require careful scrutiny of every item before it is eaten, as well as strict adherence to cooking and storage regulations. Because of this, many people believe that following the kosher rules is a difficult task, one that requires great patience and dedication.

It is true that some people find it easier than others to resist temptation when there are so many things that cannot be eaten. But the truth is that learning about the rules of kashrut will make it easier for you to become accustomed to them and soon enough you will begin to see how easy it is to keep a kosher diet.

Here are some sweet treats that are generally kosher, though you should always check the label.

1. Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate has several health benefits, including lowering blood pressure with an antioxidant that increases the production of nitric oxide in the body.

It is a healthy alternative to candy and sweets because of the high levels of antioxidants. But it also contains more caffeine than other kinds of chocolate, so it's not suitable for people sensitive to caffeine.

2. Sweet Potatoes

The sweet potato is a surprising source of fiber and potassium, making it a healthy snack for your sweet tooth. Try baking them at home and adding cinnamon or maple syrup for flavor.

They're one of the most versatile foods around. Once roasted or boiled, try pureeing them into a delicious dessert soup by adding spices like cinnamon and nutmeg . They make for a great smoothie ingredient as well. Or you could try slicing them up into sweet potato fries for a healthier alternative to French fries.

3. Coconut Water

The natural electrolyte, coconut water, is a healthy alternative to soda and sports drinks; it’s also naturally sweet. That makes it the perfect drink to cool off this summer. A great way to enjoy coconut water is straight from the shell — just crack open a fresh coconut and enjoy!

4. Sweetened Oatmeal

Sweetened oatmeal is a healthy and delicious way to satisfy your sweet tooth. Add brown sugar, honey or maple syrup, and then add cinnamon, vanilla extract, and some almond milk for a bit more sweetness. You can also add blueberries, raspberries or strawberries if you want a bit more fruit in your diet.

5. Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

These tasty treats require just two ingredients: strawberries and chocolate. You can make them as fancy or as simple as you like. Try dipping your berries in dark chocolate and sprinkling almonds on top for a healthier snack, or go all out with these chocolate-covered strawberry lollipops made with white chocolate, sprinkles and lollipop sticks.

Chocolate is an easy way to get your sweets since it's so readily available, but it can be hard to find kosher options in stores. And the most decadent chocolate of all – chocolate covered strawberries – are even harder to find. But you don't really need to buy them. Simply melt some kosher chocolate and dip in your own strawberries. You can leave them as is, or go fancy and add some sprinkles, nuts or drizzled chocolate on top.