As you know, for the past 30 days I have avoided all sugar and sweeteners of all kinds. I am contemplating my very first treat to celebrate my (relatively small) success. I thought I'd share my thought process with you.
There are many directions in which I could go. And I know people have their preferences when it comes to cheat meals, snacks, and treats. Some people (including moi) like to make their cheats and treats as healthy as possible. If I were to bake myself a cake, or cookies, or muffins, I would use whole grain flour. I'd probably substitute at least half of that flour with almond meal for a lower carb and more nutritious product. I almost always add some kind of veggie to my cakes, like grated zucchini, carrot, or beet puree. I never frost my cakes as this just adds more sugar and empty calories. By the time I'm done, I have something that tastes pretty good, but not outrageously decadent. Does it hit the spot? Sometimes. But if I push it too far in the healthy direction, cut out so much sugar that it comes out barely sweet, I could end up with a treat that isn't really a treat. If I bake a whole cake, or a dozen muffins, then I have a ton of this stuff to eat. And if it remotely smells of nutrition, you can bet my teenaged daughter won't help me.
Why am I baking my treat in the first place? I like to have control over everything I put in my mouth. This is why I rarely eat out in restaurants. Of course everything tastes amazing, but that's because restaurants are not concerned with calories, trans-fats, refined flour and sugar, loads of salt. Yes, on occasion I throw all caution to the wind and eat out. And I usually enjoy the experience. But I always gain weight afterwards. I just can't afford to add those pounds now.
Here is what I am planning for my first treat: a small bowl of hot oatmeal (made with rolled oats, boiling water and salt) topped with 1 square of Ghiradelli dark chocolate, 1 teaspoon of peanutbutter, 1 teaspoon of homemade low-sugar cherry preserves, and 1 tablespoon of heavy cream.
If this treat sounds weird to you, I understand. But it combines almost all the foods I have been missing for the past month: oats, chocolate, peanutbutter, and sugar. It contains no wheat which I know makes me bloat. I can make it on the spot, without needing to bake an entire cheesecake or batch of muffins. This means that I can choose each night whether or not to have a treat. If I bake a whole cake, I will feel the need to eat it as no one else will. And I will WANT to eat it. So I will end up eating extra calories and carbs every night for at least a week.
Yes, this treat is a compromise of sorts. It is not a hunk of chocolate layer cake. But it is delicious. And satisfying. Slightly chewy, salty oats with a creamy, decadent, sweet topping. While I eat it, I will be saying "YUM" to myself. And when I am done, I will feel satisfied. Not ripped off.
Do you have any ideas for small, quick, homemade treats which are easy to throw together and fairly healthy? Please share!
There are many directions in which I could go. And I know people have their preferences when it comes to cheat meals, snacks, and treats. Some people (including moi) like to make their cheats and treats as healthy as possible. If I were to bake myself a cake, or cookies, or muffins, I would use whole grain flour. I'd probably substitute at least half of that flour with almond meal for a lower carb and more nutritious product. I almost always add some kind of veggie to my cakes, like grated zucchini, carrot, or beet puree. I never frost my cakes as this just adds more sugar and empty calories. By the time I'm done, I have something that tastes pretty good, but not outrageously decadent. Does it hit the spot? Sometimes. But if I push it too far in the healthy direction, cut out so much sugar that it comes out barely sweet, I could end up with a treat that isn't really a treat. If I bake a whole cake, or a dozen muffins, then I have a ton of this stuff to eat. And if it remotely smells of nutrition, you can bet my teenaged daughter won't help me.
Why am I baking my treat in the first place? I like to have control over everything I put in my mouth. This is why I rarely eat out in restaurants. Of course everything tastes amazing, but that's because restaurants are not concerned with calories, trans-fats, refined flour and sugar, loads of salt. Yes, on occasion I throw all caution to the wind and eat out. And I usually enjoy the experience. But I always gain weight afterwards. I just can't afford to add those pounds now.
Here is what I am planning for my first treat: a small bowl of hot oatmeal (made with rolled oats, boiling water and salt) topped with 1 square of Ghiradelli dark chocolate, 1 teaspoon of peanutbutter, 1 teaspoon of homemade low-sugar cherry preserves, and 1 tablespoon of heavy cream.
If this treat sounds weird to you, I understand. But it combines almost all the foods I have been missing for the past month: oats, chocolate, peanutbutter, and sugar. It contains no wheat which I know makes me bloat. I can make it on the spot, without needing to bake an entire cheesecake or batch of muffins. This means that I can choose each night whether or not to have a treat. If I bake a whole cake, I will feel the need to eat it as no one else will. And I will WANT to eat it. So I will end up eating extra calories and carbs every night for at least a week.
Yes, this treat is a compromise of sorts. It is not a hunk of chocolate layer cake. But it is delicious. And satisfying. Slightly chewy, salty oats with a creamy, decadent, sweet topping. While I eat it, I will be saying "YUM" to myself. And when I am done, I will feel satisfied. Not ripped off.
Do you have any ideas for small, quick, homemade treats which are easy to throw together and fairly healthy? Please share!
I love a date stuffed with a pecan (tastes a lot like pecan pie) or dates rolled in coconut. So sweet, full of fiber, and delish!
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