How to stay healthy but still enjoy fall treats
Avoiding ingredients with high amounts of processed sugar is an old trick in the book, but is nonetheless a good one.
October 24, 2022
Autumn is often seen as the season of pumpkin, cinnamon, and apple treats. From crumb bars to cookies to tarts, there are hundreds of easy recipes for seasonal desserts.
“Some of my favorite fall treats are probably pumpkin pie and carrot cupcakes or carrot cakes. And definitely spice treats, like the pumpkin spice latte that Starbucks has,” said Alessandra Gonzalez (‘25).
Many look forward to the cozy snacks that come with the cooler weather and fill up store shelves, but there are also healthier ways of enjoying them.
“For the fall, I usually make apple desserts because apples are so versatile. They’re great in pies, obviously, and tarts and cakes as well,” said Aidan Chui (‘24).
By baking the treats instead of buying them, people can tweak recipes to not only suit their tastes better, but also make something healthier than store-bought tarts and rolls.
“I would occasionally try to make them healthier by substituting the more unhealthy ingredients, like fats and oils, with yogurt, bananas, or apple sauce. And sometimes, sugar can be substituted with stevia. There’s a whole lot more ingredients out there that you could adjust your recipes with to make them healthier,” said Ping-Ju Chou (‘24).
Changing up recipes can go a long way. The process of baking can be a form of relaxation, and the final result would be a healthy yet delicious snack.
“To make healthier recipes, one of my friends often makes them vegan. So she doesn’t even include eggs and stuff like that. I find that pretty cool– there are ways to make those treats sweet but with just natural sugar,” said Gonzalez (‘25).
There is much to consider when maintaining good health, but that doesn’t mean people can’t indulge themselves once in a while. Creating healthier recipes just opens up options for people with different dietary preferences.
“I think it’s important that we try to create more healthy recipes. It can encourage people to live healthier lifestyles without giving up treats they love. But honestly, it’s ok to enjoy treats even if they’re not the most healthy version. Just keep it moderated,” said Chou (‘24).
