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!