Sweet Treat Recipe Roundup
Post by Paula Jahn, Co-owner and Registered Dietitian at Nourish Northwest
Sugar has been on my mind lately. It has also been a hot topic in the media and the subject of scientific scrutiny in the last couple years. Today, we presented our most popular corporate wellness talk called Shake the Sugar. Since Nourish Northwest opened three years ago this month (happy birthday, little business!), we have delivered that talk at least 20 times. This presentation resonates with almost everyone. The sweet stuff has such a hold on us; with new research suggesting its addictive properties, it’s easy to see why the relationship is so strong.
One of the reasons we consume too much sugar as a society, is that sugar is in many packaged products that are not even trying to be sweet. I have many clients who would not define themselves as having a “sweet tooth,” but who eat more than the recommended daily amount of sugar (about 25 grams or less for women) from processed foods such as condiments, crackers, chips, granola bars, and cereal. According to a study conducted by the Environmental Working Group, the average cold breakfast cereal contains more than 9 grams of added sugar per serving.
I really like pastry chef Emily Luchetti’s philosophy on sweets. She started a campaign called DessertWorthy to raise awareness of our sugar problem and offers sound advice on when and how to indulge in a special sweet treat. It must be serious is a pastry chef is telling us to eat less sugar.
As a dietitian, I take the no-deprivation approach. I encourage intentional, meaningful choices when a craving strikes. Eat a favorite dessert that has been well-made and that tastes really good. Eat it mindfully. In the context of a diet full of lots of vegetables and other whole foods, the occasional indulgence of the real deal will not contribute significantly to overall sugar intake.
It’s all the better if your treat of choice is full of nutrient-dense whole foods and minimally process sweetener. I’ve compiled a list of our favorite sweet treats at Nourish. They are made with wholesome ingredients and are satisfying and decadent. Just like dessert should be.
Here they are, in no particular order:
Poached Pears with Wine and Walnut Cream
