Well, it’s that time of year – the holiday season is over and we are all suffering from a bit of a sugar hangover. Sometimes it’s hard to kick that sweet tooth habit, even as we all get back to our regular routines. The good news is that you don’t have to stop indulging altogether – it’s just a matter of making smarter choices when it comes to dessert.
All sweets are not created alike.
Some are merely empty calories, masquerading as your favorite indulgence. But there are lots of treats that provide nutrients and nourishment while still tasting good and satisfying that sweet tooth. The key to healthy sweet treats that still satisfy your craving is whole food sweeteners and FAT. That’s right – good, old-fashioned fat. Fats make things taste good (especially when combined with sweet), they provide satiety signals to your brain so you are less likely to overindulge, and they are also nourishing to your body. Fats are used by every cell and hormone in your body so ensuring you have an adequate daily intake of healthy fats is essential – and what better way to do that then with a healthy sweet treat?!?
Whole Food Sweeteners
The other key ingredient is whole food sweeteners – I’m talking about honey, maple syrup, coconut sugar, and the like. White sugar is highly refined and does not provide nutrients, just empty calories. By choosing sweets that use whole food sweeteners, you are automatically giving yourself some nutrition in addition to the calories from the sugar.
Here is a great healthy sweets recipe for a delicious treat that is packed with nutrients and will help you feel satisfied with just a few bites:
ALMOND BUTTER FREEZER FUDGE
Ingredients:
1 cup creamy almond butter (unsalted)
1/4 cup coconut oil, softened
1 1/2 Tablespoons honey (raw if possible)
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
*For a sugar-free option, just use a few drops of liquid stevia instead.
Directions:
Very simple – ensure ingredients are room temperature and then mix everything together in a bowl, until smooth and creamy. Transfer to a square baking dish lined with parchment paper or saran wrap and spread evenly into dish. Freeze for 1 hour or until solid, remove from dish, cut into squares, and enjoy! Return to freezer for storage until you are ready for another indulgence!
SOURCE: dexonista.com
