As the days get shorter I often turn back to the kitchen, especially to my oven. Turning on the heat is not so stifling, and the thought of warm spices filling the air is enticing. As a retired professional baker I am often asked if there is a place for baked sweets in a healthy lifestyle. The answer is: Within reason, yes.
A large portion of the baked goods we are faced with every day are low quality, high sugar and nutritionally void. After decades of conditioning the general population gravitates towards a super sweet, super fatty treat with limited boundaries. This is frightening to me when I see folks sipping monster coffee drinks with mountains of whipped cream while munching on huge cupcakes. That “snack” can easily top your daily recommendation for sugars, fats and for many, CALORIES. Can you imagine?? 1600 calories in a fatty sugary SNACK!
To turn that around I recommend a few things to think about. First of all- if you want a baked treat I say bake it yourself. Aside from the assurance that you will not be eating preservatives or trans fats, those treats should not come so easily. If you really want a cookie, then you should be willing to put the time, effort and energy into creating a good one.
Which leads me to these beauties. These cookies are a toothsome sweet which are made with pumpkin and oats. As you can see, still a calorie punch in one cookie, but low in saturated fats and sugars.
Which leads me to my last bit of advice on enjoying baked treats- take your time to enjoy what your eating. Cookies are “treats”, meaning a special thing. Something to be savored and relished. When we take time with our food we have greater respect and appreciation- which is something that every body needs.
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