When you think of baked goods, you probably imagine cookies and brownies. It seems wrong to see them as weight-loss foods, but we assure you it is possible. Baked goods innovations are increasing due to the demand for healthier options. With this, food brands are using more natural ingredients instead of refined carbohydrates and sugars. This means you don’t have to avoid baked goods altogether. After all, the best weight loss plan will incorporate your favorite foods into your goals. The important thing is to consider its nutritional components aside from just counting its calories.
For instance, you’d think eating grilled chicken is better for weight loss than cookies. However, these foods' calories will still depend on their ingredients. With a bit of tweaking of ingredients for healthier alternatives, you can reduce your weight while enjoying your favorite bakes. Here are some weight-loss baked goods to get you started:
Zucchini Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate chip cookies are classic baked products. Sneaking some zucchini into your cookie dough makes it optimal for weight loss. That's because zucchini is high in fiber and water content, making you feel full for much longer and preventing you from snacking outside of your meal plan. It is also low in calories, meaning you can eat more without exceeding your daily calorie limit.
All you need to do is add one cup of shredded zucchini to your cookie dough and mix it well to combine. You can also reduce the sugar you incorporate to make your favorite cookie recipe much healthier.
Overnight Oats Chocolate Cups
Overnight oats are popular weight loss foods because they’re convenient to make and eat. Making a baked version of these will satisfy your love for baking while aiding your weight loss journey. Overnight oats chocolate cups contain chia seeds and rolled oats, which are high in protein. This nutrient can appease your appetite to prevent overeating and boost your metabolism, providing energy for your workouts and helping you maintain your ideal weight.
Overnight oats chocolate cups are easy to make using our Muffin Pan. If you’re vegan, make this recipe plant-based by using dairy-free milk—like almond milk—and dark chocolate.
Apple Cinnamon Cheesecake
Apples are rich in antioxidants. These help the body’s metabolic systems, increasing energy expenditure. It means that your body can burn more calories than usual. Antioxidants also target fat cells and lower their ability to produce triglycerides—which most overweight people have an increased number of. This unusual cheesecake recipe also swaps ordinary cream cheese with reduced-fat cream cheese for fewer calories.
To maximize this recipe for weight loss, use stevia as a sweetener instead of sugar, as it doesn't have calories.
Sweet Potato Brownies
Sweet potatoes have a low glycemic index. This means that they have minimal effects on blood sugar levels. Low glycemic diets are recommended for diabetic patients because they reduce cardiometabolic risks like high blood sugar levels and weight gain that worsen the condition. Sweet potato is also high in fiber and protein.
This recipe may sound weird at first, but sweet potatoes complement brownies. They both have a sweetness that makes this healthy variation taste more natural. Simply add a cup of mashed sweet potato to your brownie mixture. As mentioned in the previous recipes, you can swap your sugar for stevia or reduce its amount to make this baked good even better for weight loss.
