Some Ideas for Holiday Baking

"It's that time of year again when we pull out our favorite holiday recipes or vow to try some new ones. As you think about special desserts and treats, keep in mind a small but important change you can make: Substitute extra-virgin olive oil for butter in baking. This is one Med Diet habit that helps you include healthy fats in your diet. And in making the switch, you'll use less fat overall. Here's a quick look at how to make the substitution:

¼ cup butter~3 tablespoons olive oil
1/3 cup butter~¼ cup olive oil
½ cup butter~¼ cup +1 tablespoon olive oil
2/3 cup butter~½ cup olive oil
¾ cup butter~½ cup +1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup butter~¾ cup olive oil

There are other steps you can take as well to help keep the finale to a holiday meal healthy:

Come up with ways to build a dessert around fresh or dried fruit.
Use plain or toasted nuts, another good source of healthy fats.
Substitute plain Greek yogurt for sour cream.
Replace half the fat in baked goods with applesauce, mashed banana, or pureed dried fruit.
Reduce sugar in cookies and cakes by one-third to one-half and add cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg to enhance the flavor.
Save sweet treats and desserts for truly special occasions during the holiday season, rather than making them daily fare."

More coming up, happy dieting! Visit my other blogs for great ideas!

Thanks, have a great day! Happy Holidays!