Cakes and desserts are the main attraction in the Christmas feast. With variety of flavours and mouth-melting taste, this festival gives an opportunity to dive into delicious delicacies without worrying about calories. Be it cakes, cookies, pudding, breads, pastries and waffles, Christmas brings a platter of lip-smacking sweet treats on our dinner table.
It is a fact that Christmas cannot be celebrated without desserts. But are you worried about the sugar intake? It’s true that excessive sugar consumption can cause various problems like oral health concern and obesity. But is it necessary to keep yourself away from the sweet delights? The answer is no.
Whether following a healthy diet or have a problem of diabetes, here are five healthy alternatives of sugar you can make your festival desserts with:
1. Dates
These dried fruits are an excellent alternative of refined sugar. Extracted from the palm tree, this fruit is sweet, chewy and unlike sugar, they are packed with nutrients like fibre and vitamins. Just make a slightly thick paste of dates and you can use it for cakes, cookies and smoothies.
2. Honey
This thick and golden liquid has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties along with the traces of vitamins and minerals. Apart from desserts, honey can also be used in smoothies, sauces and salad dressings as natural sweeteners. Just make sure to use unsweetened and unrefined one.
3. Stevia
Extracted from the leaves of a South American shrub, this natural sweetener has no or little calories. They are one of the closest substitutes of sugar and are available in various forms, including powder and liquid. Stevia extracts can be used in all kinds of desserts including cakes and pudding.
4. Coconut Sugar
This unrefined natural sweetener is another nutrient-rich alternative that helps in maintaining blood sugar. You can also use it daily for your tea and coffee. Coconut sugar has a coarse texture, therefore, you need to grind it before adding to your cake batter.
5. Jaggery
It is the most popular substitute of sugar used in India. Be it a halwa or ladoo, jaggery has always added sweetness to our recipes. But you will be shocked to know gud can also be used for baking cake. Being rich in numerous nutrients and antioxidants, this can add an extra flavour to your recipes. You just must keep a check on the amount you use for baking.
Make your cakes and other recipes healthier with these substitutes and have a merrier Christmas.