Fall Sweets

Fall Sweets – by Mandi Pimental

Fall has returned and that inevitably means party invitations will soon fill your inbox.  Parties where there will be tabletops of scrumptious treats, beckoning you to have a taste. If you, like myself, enjoy indulging but don’t care for the pounds that follow, I am here to help.

We know that the ideal holiday diet scenario goes something like this: no carbs + no sugar = you will fit into your sequin leggings when the ball drops come New Years.  However, for most of us, that’s not reasonable, and it’s been proven that abstaining completely can actually lead to over indulging in the long run.

Instead, try eating smaller portions of the delectable treats you crave when the season of pumpkin and spice and everything nice is upon us.  You can also alter your favorite recipes into healthier versions for a win/win situation.  If you crave traditional Pumpkin Pie, we’ve included a recipe for Pumpkin Pie Pudding that is only 140 calories of guilt-free goodness.  If you enjoy lighter fare, but still want a hint of sweet, these Lavender Scented Strawberries with honey cream are a 150-calorie luxurious dessert to serve at your own autumn soiree.  

If you crave a bowl of ice cream before the winter chill is upon us, you can switch to frozen yogurt or coconut milk based ice creams.  So Delicious developed an entire line of dairy-free options that are kinder to your waistline than traditional ice cream.  As for toppings, choose fall market finds like warm roasted nuts or apples drizzled in caramel.

And who doesn’t adore chocolate?  Instead of milk chocolate, opt for heart-healthy dark chocolate, or a mug of hot cocoa made from pure cacao beans.  You still satisfy your sweet craving, but save yourself quite a bit of sugar. Chocolate is also a great addition when melted and drizzled over muffins or fruit dishes.

Lastly, you simply can’t miss out on good ol’ fashion baking this time of year.  Wrapping up a basket of muffins for a neighbor, or nibbling on a fresh baked donut as the leaves change color, is just something we don’t want to give up.  Search for organic ingredients and infuse fruit, veggies and healthy or gluten-free grains to make it healthier.  A big tip to avoiding the sugar crash is to omit table sugar all together and bake with Agave nectar, raw honey or a natural sugar substitute.  You can also replace oil with lighter options such as applesauce or bananas, so that you can still maintain the level of moisture you are used to.

Fall is a time to be creative, a time to come together with friends and family and bake goodies over good conversation.  A fun challenge would be to host a potluck and have everyone bring something that is under 200 calories per serving.  It gets everyone thinking outside the box, supports the local organic food community, and you have fun.

And isn’t that what this time of year is all about?

 

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