Healthy vs. low calorie foods

TrueEgyptian
TrueEgyptian Posts: 10 Member
in Food and Nutrition
So today I found out that the cookies I make at home contain more calories than I thought which means; I messed up my calorie counting for a while! Anyway, now that I am trying to stick to a healthy recipe for oatmeal and raisins cookies, I am stuck with the idea of healthy better than low calories. I don’t want to use artificial sweeteners for example, so I use organic raw sugar. Today I didn’t even add sugar to the recipe since it already has raisins and I added a hint of cinnamon. I also replaced butter with coconut oil (it’s the first time for me to use it), but I don’t think I will use it again, it’s so heavy and my stomach is a little upset. The same goes with everything I am eating or drinking now, no more diet coke but naturally sweetened soda, etc. I wonder if you guys think of it that way too, and how do you manage staying healthy while counting calories?
PS: I can eliminate the cookies, that’s not the issue! he-he

Replies

  • elm2008
    elm2008 Posts: 95 Member
    I feel like I'm half and half. When I see some recipes on here for desserts that are super low calorie, I cringe because I know it's made with a lot of artificial ingredients. I definitely believe in using cane sugar or agave or dates, etc. instead of splenda and what not, and I'll never touch a Walden Foods 0 calorie product. There are some times I still choose lower calorie over what have better nutritional value, but only if they aren't that far off.

    sodas too, I'll take a low calorie natural soda over a diet, no calorie drink. It just makes more sense to keep the body clean.
  • Liquidfeet
    Liquidfeet Posts: 62 Member
    The more nutrition you have in your food the better it will be for you IMO. You can use apple sauce instead of butter and oil in most recipes and it adds some extra sugar taste so you can cut the sugar down (half?) too. Also try pureed pumpkin. It is very tasty in breads and cakes and adds more nutrition without just adding fat.
  • TrueEgyptian
    TrueEgyptian Posts: 10 Member
    Great, thank you. I didn't know I can substitute fats with apple sauce and pumpkin puree! That sounds really good; I will try it soon :)
  • SherryTeach
    SherryTeach Posts: 2,836 Member
    For that matter, there is nothing wrong with a little butter. It's a real food and not something artificial. It's the going overboard with it that's the problem. I love butter.
  • TrueEgyptian
    TrueEgyptian Posts: 10 Member
    I feel like I'm half and half. When I see some recipes on here for desserts that are super low calorie, I cringe because I know it's made with a lot of artificial ingredients. I definitely believe in using cane sugar or agave or dates, etc. instead of splenda and what not, and I'll never touch a Walden Foods 0 calorie product. There are some times I still choose lower calorie over what have better nutritional value, but only if they aren't that far off.

    sodas too, I'll take a low calorie natural soda over a diet, no calorie drink. It just makes more sense to keep the body clean.

    Yep, I agree with you. I am not too tight on health, organic and natural stuff, but I could say that I am about 80% good about it. 0 Calorie drinks are not an option now for me either. I started shopping at whole Foods, but it can be pricey, so I don't let myself feel bad or guilty, if every once in a while I break the rules.
  • pdworkman
    pdworkman Posts: 1,342 Member
    Subbing out the oil in cookies will mean you get a soft, cakey, not crispy, cookie. Doesn't bother me, just mentioning it so you know what to expect.
  • TrueEgyptian
    TrueEgyptian Posts: 10 Member
    For that matter, there is nothing wrong with a little butter. It's a real food and not something artificial. It's the going overboard with it that's the problem. I love butter.

    I love using real butter too, it's just that I am trying to replace it with something else when I bake to save on calories :) You know how baking recipes call for so much butter, I can do half butter and half apple sauce for a try.

Categories