9 Healthy Sweet Foods to Use in Your Desserts
Hiya Sweetie,
Let’s be honest. We like rich creamy decadent sweet food full of texture and flavor. When we eat them we feel good, happy and satisfied.
But sweet foods are usually reserved for occasional treats and special celebrations; they are okay in small servings. The problem is when we indulge ourselves a little bit too much! This can lead to unhealthy weight gain, hormonal imbalance, headaches, mood swings and bad skin. Most traditional desserts contain flour and are high in unhealthy fats, refined oils and sugar. They are also loaded with additives, preservatives, stabilizers and calories.Did you know that you can make your own sweet foods that are healthy for you? These sweet desserts are great tasting alternatives that look appealing and taste absolutely delicious. I use organic nuts, seeds and seasonal fruits in my desserts. They are rich in enzymes and natural sugars, and provide nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and fiber. At the same time they are satisfying your sweet desire.
Sweet foods
♥ Avocado
Sweet fruit rich in vitamin E, Beta carotene, B complex, folic acid, magnesium, iron, potassium and fiber. It contains monounsaturated fat, which helps maintain levels of good cholesterol in the body. I use avocado in my creamy recipes and in fruit salads.
♥ Banana
Sweet, rich in carbohydrates, folic acid, vitamin C, potassium and pectin. It is very easy to digest when ripe. I use bananas in smoothies, fruit salads, pies and cakes.
♥ Dates
Sweet and moist, rich in carbohydrates, iron, magnesium, potassium and fiber. I love dates; Medjol dates are my favorite and I use them as a sweetener in my raw desserts such as cakes, creams, sauces, cookies and pies.
♥ Raw Cacao
Not processed, roasted or mixed with milk solids. Raw cacao is a superfood high in sulfur, magnesium, iron, copper, phosphorus, calcium, potassium, vitamin A, B, C, D, and E. It is super rich in antioxidants (the richest source of any food). Cacao is high in ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity), a standard by which science measures antioxidant activity in foods. Cacao has a distinctive bittersweet flavour and is delicious in cakes, smoothies and protein drinks.
♥ Nuts and Seeds
Excellent source of vegetarian protein. They contain B-complex, Beta carotene, vitamin D and E, and calcium. They contain good fat and the enzyme called lipase that helps the body digest fat.
♥ Almonds
Low in acid; contain protein, vitamin E, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium and zinc. They are anti-inflammatory and strengthen the nervous system. I use them in my raw cakes, pies, cookies and home made almond milk. Soak nuts and seeds for better digestibility and creamier texture.
♥ Coconut
Good source of protein, B-complex, Beta carotene and minerals, especially iodine which is important for thyroid function. Coconut contains saturated fats called medium chain fatty acids or medium chain triglycerides (MCT) and is used as an immediate source of fuel and energy. It digests better and it is not stored in the body as fat reserves. I use coconut oil and young coconuts with the soft “meat” in my smoothies, creams, pies, cakes and ice-creams. Coconut water is also a great source of electrolytes, and is a good dehydration drink very similar in composition to human plasma.
♥ Carob
An evergreen tree native to Eastern Mediterranean in the Middle East, where it has been cultivated for 4000 years. The fruit of the carob is a pod. It has a dark-brown colour, is edible, fat free, rich in pectin, protein, vitamin A, vitamin B-complex, and calcium. The pods are ground into powder that can be a cocoa or chocolate substitute.
♥ Raspberries
Sweet and sour berries, contain beta carotene, ellagic acid, potassium, fiber, and are high in vitamin C. Raspberrries are very alkaline, have a cleansing effect on the body, and have anti-viral properties, according to research. Raspberries are delicious in pies, protein shakes and smoothies. I use them as decorative berries on my chocolate mousse.
These are just a few great tasting organic ingredients that I use regularly in my delicious nutritious recipes. They will maintain the health of your body and at the same time satisfy your sweet tooth.
Love and Light
