It is important to remember that while these recipes may be refined sugar free, other ingredients may contribute carbohydrate energy which can raise blood glucose levels. Healthier baked goods and desserts should still be viewed as treats in the sense that they should substitute the consumption of sugar containing foods (which should only be eaten occasionally) but not healthy meals or snacks. These recipes are intended to assist with the reduction of refined sugar in the diet but do have an energy value, to varying degrees. Therefore, these treats should be eaten in moderate portions as part of a healthy diet.
Reducing the intake of added sugar in the diet is important for everyone, regardless of the presence or diabetes or obesity. Added sugar is the table sugar (white or brown) that we add to teas, coffees and cereals together with products high in sugar such as sugar containing beverages, sweets, chocolates, sweet baked goods, jelly, jam, syrup and honey. Many foods have small amounts of sugar added during processing. This should ideally be less than 10% of the total carbohydrate content in order for that food to be a regular part of the diet.
A banana split, while perhaps old fashioned, and typically served as dessert can be given a healthy make-over. Bananas are often listed as one of few fruits that kids, and sometimes even adults, enjoy. Why not take a simple banana to the next level of enjoyment. Rich in nutrients, fibre and protein, a healthy banana split brekkie could surely entice breakfast skippers and lazy eaters. Bananas are rich in energy and often
Banana Ice Cream! There can simply be no simpler recipe. I love bananas and I do enjoy ice cream so this is the perfect summer treat that is both nutritious and delicious … a winner combination in the mind of a dietitian! All you need is to make sure you have frozen bananas on hand. If you want to make banana ice cream for your family, perhaps sneak one banana
Just Fruity Animals … Now, i think you would be hard pressed to find a convenient healthy treat as cute as these! A great lunch box filler or after school snack, these fruity rhinos, elephants, lions, hippos and buffaloes are sure to please any kid. I just loved these when I saw them and wanted to share my opinion and nutritional analysis of them. It is important to reduce
Smoothie design is half the preparation work done. While already quick to prepare, smoothie making can be even quicker if you plan ahead. Simply design a few recipes using the Smoothie Design infographic guide below which will help you create a good balance of nutrients with sensible portion control. It is important to be careful not to create a kilojoule bomb of a smoothie if you are trying to lose
I am sharing this Crazy Shake : Banana-Choc recipe today in honour of ROALD DAHL! It is Roald Dahl day (13 Sptember 2016) an the well known and well loved author would have been 100 years old today! A huge fan of ROALD DAHL since I was a young child, I couldn’t miss the opportunity to be part of the festivities. As this very talented author must have been somewhat crazy to
This butter bean smash is quick and easy to prepare but is not short on taste. Mashed potatoes is a often a family favourite, described as comfort food. The problem with the peeling of potatoes, however, is the loss of fibre with the loss of the skin. Every meal should contain fibre and leaving the skin on potatoes is an easy way to increase the fibre content. Baby potatoes are
Date paste is my latest and greatest Pinterest success! Already a fan of dates, I did not need much convincing to give this recipe a go. Incredibly easy to make, date paste makes for a tasty sugar substitute. While it does have an energy value due to the natural carbohydrate content of dates, it is not nutrient empty and very little paste is required for the reward of its incredible
Snack Domes are a twist on energy balls I stumbled upon while using a tablespoon measure to scoop up the mixture to achieve equal size portions. (See the graphic below for this time saving trick). Snack time is often the time when people consume high fat foods with added salt or sugar because it is convenient or in some cases cheaper than the healthier option. People also tend to feel like
While there are many sugar free or low sugar baking recipes, finding a sugar free icing to decorate these baked goods is not so easy. Most people resort to using fresh cream which is high in saturated fats and not naturally sweet. Also, when using sugar free alternatives, do not neglect to factor in the other sources of carbohydrate, such as fruit or flour. It is possible to make sugar free icing sugar with
Simple healthy snacks are an essential part of a healthy diet. It is important not to undo healthy eating at meal times with excessive snacking on non-nutritious foods. Pinterest is full of ideas but all too often we pin rather than do! Tried & tested from Pinterest, these simple healthy snacks are both nutritious and quick to prepare! It is easy to make the mistake that convenience products and shop bought snacks
I recently posted about treats verses snacks and wanted to share an easy way to create novel and fun foods that can be enjoyed as much a treat foods without the added sugar. The sugar free jelly ideas below can be enjoyed as part of a healthy snack, a healthy dessert option or at a kids party. Barney Sugar Free jelly powder is a great product for making sugar free desserts
I love chickpeas and therefore I love hummus. Chickpeas are a good source of plant protein and fibre and can be added to many a dish or simply roasted for a healthy snack. Adding chickpeas to soups, stews, curries, salads an roasted vegetables is an easy way to add more fibre to your family meals. Canned chickpeas are a great pantry staple but you can also cook up a large
Egg toast is a great breakfast option and enjoyed by most. This quick meal can take on many varieties and designs … scrambled egg, poach egg, French toast, boiled egg with toast soldiers … and even egg in toast! As this takes a little more time and creativity, it is perfect for novel occasions when you want to present something little more special. The cut out shape has endless possibilities! To
Apple butter is a tasty topper for oats or peanut butter toast and makes for a nutritious, naturally sugar free substitute to sugar, jam or syrup. Made with cinnamon, this apple butter is easy to prepare and adds great flavour without the need for added sugar. Adding sugar to cereals, porridge, teas and coffees can add up to a large intake of empty and unnecessary energy. The World Health Organisation (WHO)
Moroccan flavours are among my favourite and seem make a meal more satisfying. Serving food in a jar has become somewhat fashionable of late. Glass is becoming increasingly popular for the environmentally conscious as it can be reused and recycled safely. Presenting food and beverages in glass jars is also decorative and is often seen at functions and picnics. The biggest appeal seems to be in the offering of a personal
This sugar free chocolate cake is a good substitute for the real deal. Its sweetness comes from the banana and date combination rather than an artificial sweetener. These two affordable sugar substitutes also offer nutritive value. While a better choice for people with diabetes, this cake does contain carbohydrates (28 grams per 1/12 slice) and therefore will have an effect on blood glucose levels. For insulin dependent diabetes, a insulin bolus
These gluten free pancakes are made with a combination of buckwheat flour and rice flour as alternative to cake flour which contains wheat. These pancakes are a great gluten free starch option for patients with coeliac disease, including those with type one diabetes. While they lack sugar, they also lack fibre and protein. The choice of filling is therefore very important as it needs to make up for this lack in
Popcorn is a popular treat for movie watching, lunch boxes, after school snacking and birthday parties. It does make for a healthier snack alternative to crisps, sweets and chocolates. Homemade popcorn is healthier than store bought and is easy enough to make. It is something kids can learn to make for themselves in a first cooking lesson. Nutritionally speaking, this whole-grain, naturally gluten free snack is high in fibre and