Looking for some healthy recipe treats to maintain your diet and at the same time reward yourself on your success so far? Here are ways you can make them treats and deserts healthier.

Ice cream – If you’ve got that ice cream craving, look for substituting ice cream with frozen yoghurt instead. It’s generally lower in fat and calories. However also be aware of their sugar content as they can be high. There are low fat, low sugar frozen yogurts available, so find them and treat yourself. Low fat ice-cream can also be an option but make sure you satisfy your craving in moderation.

Fruit crumble – If you’re making a fruit crumble, make sure you choose vitamin rich seasonal fruits. Make crumble with oatmeal, spices toasted seeds and wholemeal flour which all contain complex carbohydrates and are high in fibre, mean you’ll feel fuller after a smaller serving. If you must use a little butter and sugar, but you can also sweeten the dish with dried fruits, raisins and spices instead.

Creams and Custards – When using creams or custard for cakes or sweets, always opt for the low fat versions. Including low fat yoghurt, creme fraiche and frozen yoghurt. Low fat custard can also be classed at a superfood as it’s low in calories and contain bone strengthening calcium.

Fruit pie – Pack it with superfoods such as blueberries, and also add nuts and seeds to the mix to increase your fruit and healthy fat intakes. The pastry for pies always contain the majority of the calories so make it a bottomless one, and have the pastry just on the top. This cuts more than half the calories just from the pastry.

Finding healthy recipe treats is actually not difficult. There are always low fat, low sugar alternative to substitute for traditional recipe ingredients, and on top of that if you just stick to correct portion sizes, i.e. one piece of cake no bigger than the size of your palm, you’ll have no trouble rewarding yourself and not feeling guilty at the same time. Make dieting easier by eating more of the best foods for you. Start by checking out the website below.

By: Roger Ruzzier

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The goodies are coming, the goodies are coming!

Yes, holiday season is around the corner. But no matter if the season is before you, if you are smack in the middle of it, or trying to recover from the seasonal blitz, there will always be tempting treats calling your name. Leftover Halloween candy will fill bowls and candy dishes until they are immediately replaced with the next traditional favorite. And don’t think you are safe after the first of the year. Cupid will be waiting with his sharp little chocolate arrow! Then there is that silly rabbit. And, what about the 3:00 pick-me-up you need everyday? Will it ever end? What can be done to prevent the extra sugar and fat from sneaking into your day-to-day diet?

Numerous studies performed by food psychologist Brian Wansink, Ph.D, confirm that “out of sight is out of mind”. Temptation is hard to fight, and readily available goodies are just that – a temptation that is often too hard to resist! In one study, secretaries were provided chocolate candy. Once group had chocolate in clear containers on their desk, while another group had chocolate in opaque containers on their desk. The results? The secretaries ate twice as many candies from the clear containers on their desk as from the opaque containers. On top of that, when the candy was hidden or further away, the secretaries were twice as likely to say they forgot about the candy all together.

So, what is the good news in all of this? Keep high-calorie, unhealthy treats out of sight! This will help limit visions of sugar plums from dancing in your head (and eventually on your hips). You may even consider a reverse trick. Try keeping healthy foods “in sight and on your mind”! By keeping grapes or baby carrots readily available and easily accessible, you may be more likely to satisfy your snacking habit with healthy options. Not only will this help you fit more fruits and veggies into your day, it may also assist you in replacing unnecessary “empty calories” nutrient-rich, reduced-calorie snacks.

By: Mandy Conrad

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