1. HEALTHY DESSERTS!
Some people are quick to think that these two are like oil and water and
never the two shall meet. This is because the sweet course taken after
meals is oftentimes associated with sugar and fat, indulgence and weight
gain. For those who seem to be tied up with this preconception, they
simply skip it but sometimes make up for it by eating more of the main
course or snack on junk food in between meals.
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One thing that makes desserts potentially unhealthy is the excessive amount of refined sugar that is
used to prepare it. However, there are a lot of sugar substitutes in the market, artificial and natural,
that are able to sweeten without the calories and high-glycemic index. Low-glycemic foods and
sweeteners do not rapidly elevate a person’s blood sugar which can have a harmful even life threatening
impact on diabetics.
Once again, it seems that mankind has advanced too much in the pursuit of satisfying the sweet tooth
without the weight gain. Big companies have managed to create intensely sweet substances from
chemicals or modify naturally occurring substances so much that they lost
virtually all nutrients present.
Go online and you’ll be surprised to see that a lot of synthetic artificial
sweeteners which were the craze just a few years ago are now being
suspected as potentially harmful. Not surprising considering how these
are manufactured.
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Fortunately, natural sweeteners that are both low-glycemic and made from plant-based materials are
now available. Stevia, coconut and palm sugar, and agave nectar are touted by health advocates are the
new age sugar. Though may be not as sweet as refined white sugar, they have flavor qualities that
complement and even uplift the dish they sweeten. It is important to consider the characteristics of
these natural sweeteners when using it in dessert preparations.
In preparing a healthy dessert, consider the following: Do you want a low-
glycemic dish? If so, simply replace refined white sugar with a natural
sweetener. Note that healthier sugars like brown sugar, raw sugar,
molasses and even honey are still high-glycemic though they contain
considerably more nutrients that white sugar. Even if you do not have
issues with high blood sugar, there are still health benefits attributed to a
low-glycemic lifestyle from the management of Type 2 diabetes, obesity and heart disease.

2. For an overall healthier pastry, cake or pie, replace flour partly with whole wheat and fresh or dried fruit
instead of canned. Even without natural sweeteners which can be difficult to find, fruits like berries,
apple and applesauce provide natural sweetness and moisture.