The holidays are a time for singing, gifts, and enjoying the company of loved ones. Plus, there are plenty of delicious treats! Many people look forward to this festive time of year because they like baking and eating cookies, candies, and pies.
However, if you’re watching your weight, diabetic, or trying to stick to a healthy diet, you may have a hard time during the winter festivities. To still have a chance to dig into some tasty snacks and desserts, turn to these sugar-free options:
Serve Tea vs. Hot Cocoa
Nothing warms you after caroling at your assisted living community like a cup of hot cocoa and marshmallows – except tea! Thousands of tea flavors offer the warmth and comfort of its chocolate alternative but without all that sugar. Green tea provides antioxidants that can help your immune system fight seasonal colds. Tisanes are made with fruit; drinking them can make you feel positively tropical.
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Cacao in Lieu of Chocolate
During the winter months, people turn to chocolate for warmth and comfort. Unfortunately, many of the popular flavors contain a lot more sugar than cacao, the bean used to make chocolate. Milk and white varieties of this treat are much more sugary than dark chocolate. Look for sweet treats with a 70 percent or higher cacao count to reap the benefits of this antioxidant-rich plant.
Fruit offers a naturally sweet flavor without the artificial ingredients found in many sweets.
Choose Fruit Instead of Pastries
Fruits contain natural sweetness, and no chemicals are found in artificial ingredients that often sweeten store-bought goods. When you head to a holiday party, bring a bowl of fruit instead of a batch of cookies. Chances are you won’t be the only one trying to eat healthy, and there will already be plenty of pastry treats. Grapes, melons, oranges, kiwi, and apples are all great choices. To get the most fresh fruits, look for varieties that are in season in your area. These have traveled less distance and required fewer chemicals to get them from the farm to your doorstep.
Try Gelatins
Gelatin (or brand name Jell-O) is a fun dessert that can be easily customized. For instance, you can make it without sugar and include blueberries, strawberries, or even cherries to add fun festive hues in the center. Try layering red and green gelatin desserts or molding the final product into a wreath shape to bring the dish to a party. The guests will appreciate your health-conscious attitude and the work you put into creating a Jell-O masterpiece!
You can always turn to sugar alternatives to sweeten a dish without the calories. Dates, for example, makean excellentt substitution for white or brown sugar and are also super tasty in raw dishes like carrot cake. For recipe ideas, check out Pinterest or Allrecipes.com.
