Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth With These 3 Healthy Food Swaps
Fall is upon us, which means that the holidays are right around the corner -- and with them comes the threat of holiday weight gain. Although you should feel free to enjoy yourself (and all that yummy food!) during the holidays, there are some simple switches you can implement now to satisfy your sweet tooth while keeping you from consuming unwanted calories. You can even use these ideas in your holiday menu preparations! Your guests won't even know the difference and will unknowingly reap some great health benefits. Here are three sweet food swaps to try:
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Opt for dark chocolate
Come to the dark side... of chocolate, that is! Although milk chocolate is probably the more popular choice, dark chocolate can be far more satisfying. Plus, it's actually good for you! Dark chocolate that contains 70% or more cocoa typically has antioxidants that can help protect your heart and lower your blood pressure. When buying Halloween candy for the kids, pick a dark chocolate bar up for yourself to snack on. During the holidays, you can make dark chocolate covered strawberries. Or if you want a sweet snack for a pick-me-up, sprinkle dark chocolate shavings on top of your Greek yogurt.
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Swap out ice cream for froyo
Frozen yogurt has become a popular dessert choice over the last few years. There were an estimated 2,582 frozen yogurt stores at the end of 2013 and the number has only grown since then. Although we tend to love our ice cream cones in the summertime, you might want to consider making the switch to frozen yogurt cups this fall. Although you might think it's too chilly for a frozen treat, you can enjoy a burst of freshness by adding fruit or add some contrast with a drizzle of warm chocolate sauce. Plus, frozen yogurt has essential vitamins, helps with digestive health, and improves cholesterol levels. You can even use tart, tangy, and creamy frozen yogurt cups for Thanksgiving or Christmas! Decorate with seasonal candies and other toppings, or put one right on top of your piece of holiday pie.
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Switch out sodas
We love our sugary drinks, don't we? Sodas, fruit juices, and other sugar-laden beverages allow us to consume a lot of extra calories without even realizing it. At a time when baked goods and sweets are all around us, you might want to think about changing your usual go-to beverage for something a little bit lighter. Try seltzer with a splash of lemon or lime, iced tea with mint, or water infused with oranges or cucumbers. Your drinks will still have plenty of flavor, but you'll be reducing the amount of sugar in your diet, which can be important for overall weight management and health.
If you're hosting a holiday party or want a health-conscious way to indulge, contact us today to find out more about our frozen yogurt cups and other dessert party offerings! Whether you want to celebrate with some ice cream party supplies or need custom frozen yogurt cups, we'll make your event extra special and scrumptious.
