The year 2022 is finally on the verge of bidding goodbye and we are all set to embark on a brand-new journey of another three hundred and sixty-five days. With Christmas celebrations around, the last few days of every year are the most interesting ones, brimming with fervency across the globe irrespective of religious beliefs.
Besides a religious occasion, Christmas is also about lights, home decor, the exchange of presents, welcoming winters, and indulging in mouth-watering food, cakes, cookies, and desserts. Until we gorge on sweets, any festivity remains incomplete. Be it a chocolate-laden cake or a nutty pudding, sweets are the most important part of the Christmas frenzy and holiday season. More so, as you plan for a festive dinner, the desire to prepare a wholesome meal and a low-calorie dessert that can help you stay in shape remains a forever ordeal. You do not want to miss the fun, but you also do not want to gain those extra pounds now that the new year is around the corner with umpteen social gatherings and parties. Of course, you aim to be the best and most healthy version of yourself. Is there an ideal solution? We bet there is!
This season, indulge in desserts that are easy to make, sumptuous to resist, and healthier for your body with all the essential nutrients you need to be energetic with a great combination of taste and health, all at the same time.
Also Read: Merry Christmas! Welcome Baby Jesus To These Amazing Desserts
Why Do We Crave Desserts During Winter?
Every year, we promise ourselves and take resolutions to adopt a healthier lifestyle. While the rule says that sweets are a big no when it comes to staying fit and losing fat, however, eating a dessert is a wonderful way to stay satiated, especially when the weather takes up all the energy. In winter, our body requests to fuel up on carbs. Contrary to the belief that eating sweets only makes you gain weight, a homemade dessert is packed with ample nutrition, containing fruits and dry fruits laden with antioxidants, fiber, and copious amounts of Vitamin A, C, E, folate, and iron. We prefer dry fruits laden snacks over cut fruits during winter for a simple reason. They provide warmth. Fruits can be eaten during the daytime in cold climates and as it gets sub-zero in most parts of the country. You should eat citrus fruits carefully to avoid throat irritation and cough.
A wholesome piece of cake or a pudding is the best bet instead of grabbing a chilled fruit from the refrigerator, unlike in hot sultry weather when it brings relief from the heat. Homemade desserts laden with dry fruits help us fight seasonal illnesses. So do not worry, stay guilt-free and eat your sweets (in limited amounts though) to keep warm and energetic. For a low-sugar version, a sugar substitute like monk fruit or stevia is an excellent idea.
Denying yourself a sugary treat may lead to increased cravings and you would want to binge-eat eventually. The secret of eating sweets is in portion control. Therefore, we have come up with two easy dessert recipes that will not give you jitters as you eat them. Get yourself going and try them; they are made with ingredients that are a powerhouse of nutrition.
Also Read: Blueberry: A Super Succulent Fruit With Bounteous Health Incentives-Recipe
Easy Blueberry Cake
Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cornbread mix
3 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 cup apple juice
1 cup sugar
1 cup milk
Pinch of salt
Lemon rind/lemon peel (the outer part of lime used for flavoring- optional)
Method
In a bowl sift flour, bread mix, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt
Add lemon rind and blueberries to the mixture
In a separate bowl combine apple juice, sugar, and milk
Blend the dry and liquid mixture
If the batter is too thick, add more milk
Shift the batter into a nonstick dish or dish greased with butter
Seal the pan completely using aluminum foil and keep it aside
Pour about 5 cups of water into a pressure cooker and bring to boil
Put the dish into the cooker
The water level should be lower than the cake dish
Cover with the pressure cooker lid and let it cook for 30 mins
Open the lid after 30 minutes or so
Take the cake out and unwrap it removing the foil
Top with fresh blueberries
Easy blueberry cake is ready
Nutrition
This homemade delicious cake has blueberries which are a rich source of antioxidants that can fight free radicals from the body. It also has nutmeg which has anti-inflammatory properties and cinnamon which helps to boost immunity.
Coconut Chia Pudding
Ingredients
400 grams of coconut cream
1 cup honey
1 tbsp grated coconut
1 tbsp chia seeds
¼ tsp vanilla essence
Strawberries, blueberries, and kiwi
1 cup milk or almond milk for a low-calorie option
Stevia leaves/honey
Assorted berries, kiwi fruit (as per choice)
Method
Slightly roast the grated coconut in a pan and keep it aside
Stir chia seeds, coconut cream, and milk in a large bowl
Let it sit for some time
If chia seeds form clumps, separate them
Add honey/stevia and the vanilla essence
Put the mixture in the fridge and let it stay overnight
Chia pudding should be thick by morning
Top with berries, kiwi, and roasted coconut
Chia pudding is ready and can be stored for three to four days in an airtight container in the refrigerator
Nutrition
Chia seeds present in this pudding are a great source of protein and potassium that help muscle building. Coconut has manganese, copper, and iron. All these minerals are beneficial for our bone health. Berries and kiwis are high in Vitamin C which augments skin health.
Netmeds.com Wishes All Its Customers A Very Merry Christmas
