Healthier Holiday Treats

The holidays are back, which typically means the office break room is filled with seasonal cookies, cakes and breads. Not to mention, it is the time of year when your neighbors drop by with pumpkin and pecan pies, just before you rush off to a holiday party replete with cheesy hors d’oeuvres, eggnog and, of course, a wide variety of desserts.

This year, Dr. Abhay Gupta shares some healthier holiday treat ideas, so you can enjoy all this season has to offer, without regretting it come the New Year.

Cinnamon Baked Apples

You can enjoy baked apples any time of year without feeling guilty, but sprinkling cinnamon on this treat adds a festive flair. Baked apples are a good source of fiber — which helps regulate digestion and keeps you feeling full longer — and various vitamins, including vitamins A, C and E.

To prepare this delicious treat, preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, core an apple (or several apples) but keep the bottom intact. Next, add your favorite spices — such as cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger — and a dash of agave nectar or honey to the empty core. Place the apples on a baking dish and pop the dish into the oven. Bake the apples for about 45 minutes while enjoying the Christmas-like aroma that fills your home.

Air-Popped Flavored Popcorn

Unlike microwave or movie-theater popcorn, which is chock-full of unhealthy chemicals and / or saturated fat, air-popped popcorn is a healthy snack that is full of fiber. However, plain popcorn can seem, well, too plain. To jazz up this savory snack, sprinkle on some paprika and parsley, for added flavor without added fat or calories. Or, try adding cumin for a more exotic flair. For a sophisticated touch, sprinkle on a dash of truffle salt.

Bonus: Wrap up a variety of your homemade flavored popcorn in individually sized gift bags to give to neighbors or co-workers as presents.

Dark Chocolate-Avocado Mousse

This recipe for dark chocolate-avocado mousse might seem bizarre at first, but using avocado to thicken up a dark chocolate mousse is a great way to give this treat a creamy quality, without needing to use heavy, fat-laden cream. Instead of sugar, this recipe calls for stevia, or another natural sweetener, to add a hint of sweetness without adding a ton of extra calories. Finally, you can top off the mousse with a few nuts or berries for enhanced texture and flavor. Enjoy!

Ingredients:
1 large ripe avocado
¼ cup almond or coconut milk
¼ cup raw dark cocoa powder
2 tsp stevia (or another natural sweetener)
1 tsp natural vanilla extract

Directions:
Purée the ripe avocado until it has a smooth consistency. Mix the milk and cocoa powder together until they are combined; add this mixture to the avocado. Stir in the stevia and vanilla extract. Mix everything well. The mousse can be covered and stored in the fridge until you are ready to enjoy this healthier treat.

No-Bake Rolled Oat Cookies

You will adore these rolled oat cookies because they taste delicious — and are extremely easy to make. You don’t even have to bake them! Not to mention, these cookies are a good source of fiber, so you can enjoy one or two without regretting your decision the next day.

Ingredients:
2 ½ cups rolled oats
1/3 cup natural almond butter
3 tbsp honey
½ cup dark chocolate chips (with 70-percent cacao or more)

Directions:
Mix all the ingredients thoroughly in a bowl. Using a muffin tin as your mold, drop about a tablespoon of the mixture into each section. Put the muffin tin in the refrigerator and allow the mixture to set before enjoying this satisfying, tasty treat.

Bonus: Beverage Ideas

Instead of indulging in fat-, sugar- and calorie-heavy eggnog, here are a few ideas to dress up your drink, so it feels festive without adding fat to your diet. Try dropping a cinnamon stick in your favorite tea for an instant Christmas feel. Or, add aromatic herbs, such as mint, to sparkling water for a refreshing drink. In need of an adult beverage? Add orange slices and cranberries or pomegranate seeds to sparkling wine or vodka for a nonfat holiday beverage bursting with citrus flavors.

Need Help Looking Your Best for the New Year?

If you have been eating healthy and exercising consistently all year long but still have stubborn pockets of fat that are resistant to your diet and fitness efforts, contact Dr. Gupta for help. He offers liposuction cosmetic surgery and other body contouring treatment options that will help you look your best in time for the New Year.

To schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Gupta to learn more about your cosmetic surgery or nonsurgical treatment options, please contact Gupta Plastic Surgery by calling (858) 408-6100.

Fun Fact of the Month: Did you know that Christmas trees were originally decorated with foods, such as dates, nuts and apples?