Our nutritional needs change over time. We need more high-energy foods when we are younger and reduced-fat, lower calorie foods as we age and grow less active. Some of us may also be facing changes in our health, such as age-onset diabetes or the need to lower the cholesterol in our diets for better heart health. In recent years, the availability of organic foods has improved and healthier lifestyles have become more important to combat the stress we face in our everyday lives.

There is a course of action we can take to make the food we eat delicious and nutritious without compromising on flavor or quality. One of the best ways to do this is to substitute ingredients. If you have ever been dissuaded from making an appetizing recipe because it called for too much butter, oil, or starch, now there’s a solution; switch those things out for healthier alternatives. The new ingredients will function just as well, the flavor will still be amazing, and you will create healthy recipes in place of those that may cause health risks.

Here are some examples of ingredients that you can swap out in favor of healthier alternatives.

1. Whole Wheat Flour – You can reduce the amount of refined white flour by substituting whole wheat flour for up to half of the total amount of flour called for in the recipe. Every quarter cup of wheat flour adds 3.5 grams of fiber.
2. Reduced Sugar – You can use a sugar substitute or simply reduce the amount of sugar in your recipe without impacting the flavor. Reducing the amount of sugar by as much as one-third will save you a lot of calories and still protect the texture of the food.
3. Applesauce – Most of the fatty ingredients like oil, butter, and shortening can be reduced by as much as half. Applesauce also serves as a fat substitute in many baking recipes like cakes, cupcakes, and brownies while maintaining the moisture and a consistent texture.
4. Low-Sodium and Low-Fat Products – Use low-sodium and low-fat products when possible. Low-sodium or no-salt-added broths are flavorful and rich without overloading you with salt. Reduced fat versions of sour cream, cream cheese, half and half, and mayonnaise also taste almost identical to their fattier counterparts.

If you are looking for ways to reduce the sugar in your baking, why not use sugar-free chocolate? You don’t have to be limited by those bags of chips you find at the grocery store. Larger bars can be chopped, melted, and shaved to create perfect additions to your healthy baking recipes.

You can find a delicious assortment of chocolate bars, bites, and nutty chocolate creations at Amber Lyn Chocolates. We use only the finest natural ingredients to craft sugar-free and low net carb treats that will satisfy your chocolate cravings without derailing your diet or dietary restrictions. Visit our website to locate our stores or to place your online order today.