Healthy Ways To Indulge
We all love desserts. But more often than not, they are associated with extra empty calories and eating them can leave you feeling guilty about overindulging. Eating dessert has been linked to weight gain and chronic lifestyle diseases. But what if we told you that desserts need not necessarily be unhealthy? By following some simple tips you can make every dessert into a healthy one.
So if you have been ignoring your sweet tooth then it is time to start celebrating. These five useful tips will keep your desserts low in calories and high on taste.
Replace Your Flour
Replace your packet of processed white wheat flour with whole wheat flour or almond flour. Whole wheat flour improves your fibre intake while almond flour is rich in protein and is a great choice for those who are allergic to gluten. Try to use a combination of both flours for better consistency and greater nutrient intake.
Keep Your Chocolate Dark
When it comes to chocolate, darker is always healthier. Dark chocolate has an increased quantity of antioxidants, fibre, iron, and zinc, as well as other nutrients. It can help boost heart health by bringing your blood pressure down, protect your skin and boost your mood. So don’t skip the chocolate chips in your chocolate chip cookies — just opt for dark chocolate. Pick varieties with 70% cocoa or higher for maximum health benefits.
Bid Farewell To Sugar
Use natural sweeteners like maple syrup or honey to sweeten up your treats instead of loading up on calories using sugar. These sweeteners are rich in healthy vitamins and minerals and are also much easier to digest, keeping your blood sugar stable for longer.
Keep It Nutty
From cashews and almonds to walnuts and pecans, nuts can give your desserts a lovely mix of flavour. They are also loaded with fibre, protein, healthy fats, and antioxidants which aids in digestion. Several studies have linked nuts to reduced incidence of coronary heart disease, hypertension and even cancer. Daily intake of nuts has also been found to improve brain function.
Bye Bye Butter
Besides sugar, butter is the biggest source of calories in desserts. Apple sauce, vegetable oil, buttermilk, avocado, greek yoghurt, pumpkin puree, coconut oil, prune puree or olive oil are just some of the options that can be used as a replacement for butter. These will not cause any noticeable change in taste.
Now you know how to put a healthy twist on all your favorite desserts. Satisfy your sweet tooth while keeping your calorie intake within limits.