This holiday season we all want to prevent weight gain and possibly even lose a few pounds. Lets face it, no one wants this holiday season to ruin all of their work for the year. Last weight loss Support group we discussed ways to cut down on calories in our recipes and I put some of these recipes to the test. First I tried substituting applesauce for oil in brownies and that was a delicious surprise. Next we used Monk Fruit in substitution for sugar in cookies, and I do have to say that this was the best substitute without the aftertaste. Lastly we tried coconut flour in a pumpkin bread and that did not dissapoint. Below are some ideas to keep the weight off your waist this holiday season.
The offenders
1 Cup Flour has 455 calories, 95.4 grams of carbs, 3.4 grams of fiber, 12.9 grams of protein
¼ cup oil has 482 calories
1 cup sugar 773 calories
Make a Change
Substitute applesauce for oil: 1:1 ratio. Apple sauce has 48 calories for ¼ cup.
Substitute Almond Flour for flour: Substitute ¼ cup almond flour for 1 cup flour. ¼ almond flour
¼ cup almond flour ( 150 calories, 6 grams protein, 3 grams fiber)
Substitute Coconut flour for Regular Flour: ¼ to ⅓ cup coconut flour to 1 cup of flour.
¼ cup coconut flour (120kcal, 18 grams of carbs, 10 grams fiber, 6 grams protein)
Substitute Munk fruit for sugar: 1:1 ratio.
Pumpkin Bread
2 C Pureed Pumpkin
8 Eggs
½ C. Sugar or Munk Fruit
1 Tbsp vanilla
1 ½ C Coconut flour
1 Tbsp Baking Soda
1 Tbsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp ground cloves
Mix pumpkin, eggs and sugar in a bowl. Add Vanilla and mix well. Next add coconut flour, baking powder and spices. Place in a greased loaf pan and cook at 375 degrees for 35 minutes.
Sugar cookies
2 ¾ cup all purpose flour
1 tsp of baking soda
½ tsp of baking powder
½ tsp salt
1 cup butter softened
1 ½ cup Munk Fruit
1 egg
1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Using a mixer, beat together butter and sugar until smooth and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Gradually blend in all dry ingredients. Roll 1 teaspoonful onto cookie sheet place 1 ½ inch apart and bake 8 to 10 minutes.