Whether it’s a slice of cake in the coffee shop or a biscuit just asking to be to be dunked in a cup of tea, a lot of the foods we’re tempted by every day have sugar in them. And, in moderation, that’s okay because it’s important to remember that sugar is still needed as part of a balanced diet.
Why we need sugar and how much we should have
Carbohydrates, including sugars, are the preferred sources of the body’s fuel for brain power. Just remember if that fuel isn’t used through physical activity, it’s stored in the body as fat.
So rather than completely cutting out your sweet treats, for a more balanced diet, just be aware of the amount of sugar in them and consume less. According to World Health Organisation guidelines, you shouldn’t consume more than seven teaspoons or cubes a day (30g) of added or processed sugar. One teaspoon is about 4g.
A great way to stay under guideline limits without ignoring your sweet tooth is to make your own healthier alternatives. Whether you love hot chocolate or you’re a cake person, you can consume less sugars – or ‘healthier sugars’ – through alternatives like honey and agave syrup.
How to make your own sweet treats (with less sugar)
Creating your own healthier sweet treats really isn’t that tricky. We know because we’ve already created a bunch of recipes where we’ve removed or replaced the more processed white sugars with healthier alternatives.
Our no-bake chocolate brownies sound naughty but they’re much healthier than storebought brownies. Instead of using regular chocolate, which is more processed, we use a healthier raw cacao powder. And, for added sweetness, we use a delicious dollop of maple syrup.
Like flapjacks? Our crunchy blueberry flapjacks are naturally sweet thanks to the fructose in the blueberries. Made with oats, coconut oil and absolutely no refined sugar.
Then when it comes to hot drinks, our recipe for hot chocolate is delicious. It’s a healthier twist on a classic made with Almond Breeze® and infused with delicious plant based super foods. The cacao powder is blended with cinnamon, turmeric and cardamom to create a warming drink boosted with health benefits.
You can’t beat a classic, and banoffee pie takes some beating. Our banoffee pie recipe is filled with layers of refined sugar-free caramel, bananas and topped with a whipped vanilla coconut cream. It really is as good as it sounds!
For more delicious recipes that are light on sugar, just visit our recipe page.
Information from Goodness+ is not intended to be used for medical purposes or as a substitute for professional medical or health advice.