October is here! Now is the time when the holiday season starts to kick off. Dust off those sweaters and clear some shelf space for a few pumpkins!
With the holidays also come food, and lots of it. Grocery stores are already brimming with fall-themed sweat treats, from baked goods to the frozen dessert aisle. All these options can be very tempting, but don’t worry! You can still enjoy the many flavors of fall without sacrificing your health needs or personal goals.
Tricks for Healthier Fall Treats
1 – Spice, Spice, Baby
Many fall-inspired recipes call for cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, or even pumpkin pie spice. Use these spices to inspire your next dessert idea. For example, make your own pumpkin spice latte at home or make fall-spiced protein muffins/bars for a filling snack. Just because the stores are packed with similar treats doesn’t mean you can’t drum up a more nutritious version at home. Get started by stocking up on spices!
2 – Make Basic Ingredients More Nutritious
Swap white flour with coconut flour, almond flour, or whole wheat flour. Try a recipe using avocado in place of butter, which works well because avocadoes are high in monounsaturated fats. Instead of using heavy cream, sour cream or cream cheese, try using Greek yogurt for more protein. SimpleMost.com has great ideas for healthier baking substitutes.
3 – Transform Your Fruit
You can do so much with just fruit! Sautéed apples in a cast-iron skillet is an all-time favorite, and you can even add oats and honey for more texture. Do you usually pair fruit with ice cream? Try a dollop of reduced-fat or sugar-free cool whip.
4 – Slow Down on Sugar
To cut back on sugar, try these ideas:
- Swap regular sugar for applesauce since apples contain natural sugars.
- Use cacao nibs in baked goods in place of standard chocolate chips.
- Try alternative sweeteners like Stevia or monk fruit.
- Take a more natural approach with honey or agave nectar.
5 – Amp up the Protein
We already mentioned the Greek yogurt hack, but you can also get more protein in your fall-inspired goodies by adding chia seeds, flaxseeds, or chopped nuts of any variety.
Share Your Fall Baking Tips and Recipes
Do you have a favorite fall recipe or a strategy for making your favorite treats more nutritious? Feel free to share in the comments below.
