If you are on a diet or just maintaining your weight, high-fat muffins and sugary desserts from the bakery should be limited for optimal health. However, there are healthier alternatives to these foods that you can make at home to ensure you know every ingredient you put into your body. Make low-fat muffin options by substituting certain ingredients such as apple sauce for butter. Turn desserts into healthy additions to your diet by using fresh fruits and antioxidant-rich dark chocolate.
Alternative Ingredients For Muffins
Significantly lower the fat content in muffins by replacing butter or margarine with applesauce. You can also use artificial sweeteners in the place of sugar. Maria Collazo-Clavell, M.D., states at MayoClinic that artificial sweeteners such as sucralose are considered "free foods" because they don't count as carbohydrates, calories or fat. Use oatmeal in place of white flour because it is more slowly digested and won't cause a rapid increase in blood sugar and insulin levels. This will help to prevent fat storage.
Pear Bran Muffins
Make yummy, low-fat pear bran muffins at home for breakfast. These little treats only contain 5 g of fat and 130 calories while providing 5 g of fiber and 5 g of protein. This recipe calls for whole-grain pastry flour, wheat bran, granular sugar substitute, ground cinnamon, baking soda, salt, fat-free buttermilk, large eggs, canola oil, pear slices and vanilla extract. You can replace the pears with apples or berries of your choice for a variety of flavors.
Fruity Desserts
Fresh fruit makes nutrient-rich, low-fat dessert options. Make a mango smoothie with low-fat yogurt, sugar substitute, mango slices and ice. Mango is a rich source of potassium, vitamin E and vitamin A, which supports healthy skin. Another fruit dessert option is dark chocolate fruit fondue. Just dip fresh fruit slices such as strawberries and bananas in melted dark chocolate mixed with sugar substitute, to sweeten it.
Chocolate Meringue Kisses
If you are on a strict diet and aiming to get your body into shape, chocolate meringue kisses may be the answer to your sweets cravings because they are very low in fat and calories. They only contain 19 calories and 1 g of fat. These chocolate cookies contain egg whites, cream of tartar, sugar substitute, unsweetened cocoa powder, vanilla extract and light whipped topping. Whisk the egg whites and cream of tartar separately until it forms soft peaks then add the sugar substitute, cocoa and vanilla extract to make the cookies. The light whipped topping fills in the middle to complete a sandwich.
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