Leave the cookies for Santa

It’s that time of year for lots of sugary treats.  Don’t get caught up in all those extra calories this month and feeding the kids extra sweets.  Many see baking as a holiday a tradition and with baking comes taste testing and even overindulging.  Here are a few tips to enjoy your holiday baking while limiting your sugar intake.

Try these 3 tips for healthy holiday baking

1.  Bake cookies for a Santa, neighbor, teacher or someone special.  The goal is to enjoy the baking fun but package and deliver the cookies to keep them out of the house.

2.  Try using an alternative recipe. You can substitute unsweetened applesauce for sugar in a 1:1 ratio in recipes, but you must reduce the amount of liquid in the recipe. Typically, reducing the liquid (milk, water, etc) by 1/4 cup will do the trick.

3.  Cut your recipe in half.  Make only what you and your family will enjoy that day.  Leftovers on the countertop make it for a quick easy grab and extra calories and sugar.  Place a fresh bowl of fruit in the kitchen for a healthy snack.

Have a happy healthy holiday!

Lisa A. DeCamella
Personal Trainer & Fitness Nutrition Specialist
Summerland Camps