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Healthy Dessert Tips

Refined Sugar-Free Dessert Tips

The following healthy dessert tips are from Alison's upcoming cookbook, Desserts for Every Body.

 

There are two basic kinds of sugars.

 

Simple sugars—otherwise known as simple carbohydrates—are easily and quickly digested and metabolized by the body. Since they require very little break down, simple sugars get absorbed directly into the blood stream, causing a quick rise in energy. A quick rise leads to a quick drop, making it hard on the body to metabolize food and function properly.

 

Complex sugars—or complex carbohydrates—take a longer time to be absorbed into the bloodstream because they are made up of sugar molecules linked into a structure of other molecules. In other words, the intricate structure of sugars needs to be broken down first before the sugar can be assimilated into the body. Therefore, the sugar is released slowly as it gets broken down bit by bit through the digestion process. This results in a smoother ride for the body.

 

With only a couple exceptions, the simpler the sugar is, the sweeter it will be, and the more complex the sugar, the less sweet it will be. So naturally when using complex sugars in baking, the final product will ultimately be less sweet than one that was prepared with simple sugars.

 

Simple Sugar Sweeteners*

Brown Sugar, Cane Syrup, Fruit Juice Concentrate, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Honey, Molasses, Powdered Sugar, Raw Sugar, Unrefined Sugar / Evaporated Cane Juice, White Sugar

 

*Some simple sugars have nutritional benefits such as high anti-oxidant and mineral content, honey and molasses being at the top of the list.

 

Complex Sugars Sweeteners

Agave Nectar, Amazake, Barley Malt and Brown Rice Syrups, Date Sugar, Fruit Puree, Maple Sugar, Maple Syrup, Stevia

 

Recipe for Fruit Puree

YIELD: one cup

 

1 1/2 cups dried fruit

Water

 

Soak the dried fruit in water to cover for 30-60 minutes. Place the fruit in a food processor with just enough of the soaking water to help it blend into a thick puree.

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