Isn’t it great when you can have it all? Like when your husband fixes the dinner and does the dishes. Or when your kids call to check in and return home on time. Here’s one that’s easy to actually make a reality: Eat sweet foods without a ton of calories and actually get health benefits on top of it. To make the plan work…
Focus on Smart Sweeteners
It’s true: Some sweeteners are actually good for you. Research has found that molasses, brown sugar, maple syrup, and honey all have fairly high levels of antioxidants—which help fight certain diseases. So it’s just a matter of training your sweet tooth to make wise choices.
Start with a smart swap in your morning coffee or tea. Instead of adding sugar or artificial sweeteners, drip in some honey. Besides being high in those antioxidants, honey may help lower “bad” cholesterol, boost memory, and reduce anxiety.
Look for products that contain these better sweeteners, too—just check the ingredients list. One of the hardest places to find good sweeteners might be the cereal aisle. But we found a great new cereal that gets its sweet taste from honey and natural fruit concentrate. It’s called Kashi® Honey Sunshine®. And even though it’s all-natural, it doesn’t taste the way you’d expect an all-natural cereal to taste! (Trust us, you’ll be sneaking it by the handful.)
Bring On the Fruit
If your sweet tooth craves fruity, chewy treats like gum drops or gummy bears, carry around a small bag of dried fruit as a healthy option. Six pieces of dried mango have no fat but give you a couple grams of fiber and protein—which will help you feel full until your next meal.
Fruit (fresh, frozen, or dried) can fulfill that need for sweet while supplying lots of vitamins and fiber. In fact, some research shows that people who are “sweet tooths” already eat more fruit than people whose cravings are for salty foods. So make that sweet tooth a blessing in disguise and keep your kitchen stocked with lots of fruit choices.
Spice It Up
Got cloves and cinnamon in your spice rack? Move them to the front. They can give foods a sweeter taste without tons of calories. And one study found that these spices were pretty high in antioxidants. Try a sprinkle of cinnamon in your coffee. And for something sweet and gooey, make a packet of instant, plain oatmeal, then top it with 1 tablespoon of chopped pecans, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and 1 teaspoon of maple syrup. (Yum!)
Add a Touch of Chocolate
Another food that’s high in those disease-fighting antioxidants is chocolate. But don’t just grab a candy bar at the checkout counter. Dark chocolate, rich in cocoa, is better. If you’re looking for a healthy way to enjoy dark chocolate, melt it and drip it over a couple medium-sized strawberries.
Can’t believe we found a natural cereal that is also satisfyingly sweet? Find out more about Honey Sunshine (and why your entire family will love it).
I love sweet, but Iam trying to eat more healthy with fruits and veggies.
Sublime snacks
