Have I told you lately I LOVE Sweets! Yes, I am a nutritionist and love to eat chocolate. I think it so tasty until it shows up on my hips! Most of the time there is not really any nutritional value in sweets; instead they are filled with refined sugar, white flour, etc. So instead of telling yourself you will never eat them again (this just isn’t lifestyle possible!) bake sweets that are smarter for your health. Read the tips below to improve your baking basics.
- Search the Internet. There is a multitude of websites available with healthy baking recipes. Utilize your resources and search for them. Be sure to check out the NuStart website recipes for healthy treats (yes I do have a dessert category).
- Make your staples healthy. Substitute unhealthy ingredients, like all-purpose flour, for healthier ones, such as coconut or oat flour.
- Use natural sweeteners. Instead of granulated sugar; use honey, maple syrup, or vanilla.
- Incorporate fruits and vegetables. These can be used in ways you would never imagine. I have made a tasty chocolate cupcake recipe that included beets and an awesome fudgy cookie using garbanzo beans. Who would’ve guessed!
- Use a healthy fat. Instead of butter, try coconut oil. Both look the same in nutritional value, but coconut oil is the only saturated fat that is full of phytonutrients. Another healthy fat substitute is avocado!
- Try different nuts and seeds. Use nuts for a flour or a nut butter as a thickener. In addition, flaxseed can be a substitution for eggs.
- Stay away from packaged baked goods. Boxed cookies, cakes, and muffins often include preservatives, artificial sugars, and refined ingredients. Baking your own ensures that you know exactly what is in the baked good!
- Always sprinkle some cinnamon! This spice may aid in stabilizing blood sugar. With still using sweeteners, make cinnamon mandatory plus it provides additional flavor.
A few more ideas of healthy baking!
What will you bake next? Reply below.