It’s All in the Preparation!

Each December, I face a choice: to enjoy various mouth-watering treats in all of their sugary glories or to choose a more sensible, healthier option that will help me look and feel better.  Why can I not have both holiday enjoyment and sensibility without becoming a two pound holiday weight gain statistic?  As it turns out, I can.  It’s all in the preparation!

Give yourself a gift this year with these 5 ingredient substitutions:

·         Instead of using only white flour, use half white and half whole-wheat flour.  This is especially delicious in baking the classic chocolate chip cookie. 

·         While baking, the American Heart Association suggests cinnamon-flavored, no-sugar-added applesauce in place of the butter or oil ingredient. 

·         Dried fruits, like cranberries or cherries, are a tasty alternative to chocolate chips or candies. 

·         Consider substituting low-fat or skim milk instead of whole or heavy cream.  Using skim instead of whole milk will save you 60 calories and 8 grams of fat per cup.

·         Experiment with adding a little less sugar and intensify the sweetness by adding vanilla, nutmeg, or cinnamon.  Even reducing the sugar by ¼ cup can eliminate almost 200 calories and 50 grams of carbohydrates.

Continue reading about substitutions, menus, and healthy eating tips below:

For more ideas on holiday nutrition for you and your family during the holidays, visit our December 9Health Fair topic of the month page!