With the holiday season in full swing, you’re likely to be surrounded by food for the next month or so. Family get-togethers, office potlucks and holiday parties offer opportunities to indulge in your favorite holiday treats. You can celebrate with a little less guilt by bringing healthier baked goods to the spread, says Devon Forbes, RDN, bariatric dietitian at AAMC.
“When you contribute your own dish that is healthier and lower in fat, you’ll know there is something you can go to if you’re leery of the other baked goods,” Devon says.
Fortunately, there are some tricks to preparing delicious, heart-healthy baked goods. One trick is to substitute ingredients in your favorite recipes with healthier alternatives. If you’re concerned about how these substitutions will affect the taste of your favorite desserts, Devon says not to worry.
“I’ve used applesauce in place of fats before. The substitutions can actually make for better consistency and provide more nutrients,” she says. “You might have to play around with the recipe to get it right, but cutting the calories, sugar and fat makes it worth trying.”