5 Tips for Healthier Holiday Baking
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Now that the holiday season is in full swing, the temptation to indulge in those sweets and treats starts to grow. But if you’re thinking about lacing up for a baking marathon, hang on! Before you head down the wintery-white aisle full of flour and sugar, there are other ways you can bake delicious goodies using healthier ingredients! 1. Upgrade your flour: White, refined flour is a definite no-go if you want to make healthy treats for your friends and family. Consider the following substitutions for a recipe calling for 2 cups of white flour: (avoid using whole wheat flour if you are sensitive to gluten):
2. Add sweetness without using white sugar: There are many reasons to stay away from traditional white sugar, however, baked goods often need a bit of sweetness to make them delicious. So, when the recipe calls for it, consider using dehydrated cane juice or coconut sugar as a direct replacement. 3. Make them mini: Investing in mini-muffin tins, tablespoon ice-cream scoops (for cookies), or bite-size chocolate molds will allow for built-in portion control without sacrificing taste. Mini versions of your favorite treats make it more fun to indulge in mindfully. 4. Sneak in seeds: Chia seeds and flaxseeds are two examples of ingredients high in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. And the great news is that they won’t noticeably change the taste! Just remember to add a little extra liquid because these seeds will thicken the batter. 5. Go Nutty: You can use coconut flour and/or almond meal instead of white flour to boost the nutritional profile of your goodies. But you might want to do a quick internet search to determine the exact ratio. In many cases, it’s not a straight 1:1 exchange, and we definitely don’t want your favorite batch of cookies to flop! Have a sweet holiday season, Dr. Maureen Passifiume www.therestorativehealthcenter.com Call Us Today At (614) 905-6557 |