As the days grow darker and cooler and the calendar begins to lean toward holiday sweets and treats, we must do our best to avoid the beckoning of the sweets and salty goodies that make their way into our offices, lunchrooms and even our homes. An effective way to prevent eating the sugars that will bring down our health is to bring into our daily diet the “sweet” vegetables. When is the last time you ate a baked sweet potato smothered with coconut oil and a touch of Himalayan sea salt? That should make your mouth water just thinking about it. Other “sweet” vegetables to eat to get your “sweet” tooth fix include:
Vegetables That Taste Sweet When Cooked:
-
Corn -
Carrots -
Onions -
Beets -
Winter Squash
Vegetables That Have a Subtle Sweet Taste:
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Turnips -
Parsnips -
Rutabagas -
Jicama (when eaten raw)
Other Veggies:
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Daikon radish -
Red radishes -
Green cabbage -
Burdock
While they may not have a sweet taste, they will have a similar effect on the body by maintaining blood sugar levels and reduce sweet cravings. Nearly everyone craves sweet food. Adding these naturally sweet foods to your daily diet will not only satisfy your sweet tooth but they will act like “comfort” foods by soothing your internal organs and provide energy for your mind. What they will not do is create the “spaciness” that people often feel after eating refined or other types of sweet foods. Take advantage of the seasonal squashes and see how “sweet” the season can be!
Here’s a great recipe to tantalize your tastebuds!
- 2 teaspoons of maple syrup, honey, sucanat or ½ tsp stevia
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 Granny Smith apple - peeled, cored and chopped
- 1/4 cup canned pumpkin
- 2 tablespoons water
- Add all ingredients to list
- Sprinkle healthy sweetener and 1/3 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice in the bottom of a bowl. Layer 1/4 of the apple pieces into the bowl; repeat. Spread the pumpkin over the apples. Sprinkle the remaining healthy sugar and pumpkin pie spice on the pumpkin. Top with the remaining apples. Pour the water over the mixture.
- Place in a warm oven for 20 minutes or until warmed.
- Enjoy!
