By: @malloryhopes/ @hopefullyplated / hopefullyplated.com

Our mind and body have certain triggers. Hidden sugars are a huge worry in our food. If you start your day with sugar you tend to crave it all day. Instead of getting rid of sugar completely, we should focus on ‘sweeter’ alternatives. Smoothies are a quick snack on the go—but not as healthy as you think.

Smoothies completely filled with fruit are sweet to the taste, but not as hearty for our bodies. I cook healthy and nutritious meals for my clients, but I have also created fun on the go smoothies for myself.

Add vegetables as your base instead of fruit.

Beets provide a sweet taste, spinach adds fiber, and even sweet potatoes will add more calorie dense nutrients to your smoothie. You can roast the sweet potatoes then freeze them before adding them to your smoothie.

 

HopefullyPlated Smoothie

• 2 beets (I use Lovebeets)
• ½ cup black beans (canned should be low sodium)
• ½ cup spinach
• ¼ cup blueberries (I use local frozen berries)
• 1 tbsp Furtherfood collagen
• 1 scoop Vega Protein (if your snack needs to be more of a meal)
• 1/2 cup- 1 cup Almond Milk

Who else craves cookies? Those extra sweets in the break room… the leftover holiday candy… the giant cookies sitting at the check out counter? Whenever I crave something sweet, I feed my fix at home. I like to see exactly what ingredients are in my treats.

Instead of white sugar you can use coconut sugar as an equal swap.

If you find a recipe online review the notes and see if anyone has tried an alternative to sugar. I usually pick honey or agave. Local honey is your best bet—it provides nutrients from pollination to curb some seasonal allergies.

 

HopefullyPlated Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies

• 1 cup peanut butter (Dekalb Farmers Market has a great freshly ground option)
• 2/3 cup coconut sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2/3 cup rolled oats (I use Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Oats)
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp almond extract
• 2/3 cup chocolate chips (I use EnjoyLife Chips- dairy free, gluten free, soy free, nut free)

Some of the best advice is to read the label. If you see sugar as a top ingredient RUN AWAY FAST. You can splurge on that one treat (yes just one)—but finding a healthy sweet fix that doesn’t break your food tracker is even better!