Don't be fooled by the label "No sugar added" as low-sugar or sugar free ,especially on those easy sip juice boxes.Even without any sugar added a 7 oz juice box can have about 23 grams of sugar,how sugary is that?. "No sugar added" label only means no extra sugar has been added ,food is usually prepared using natural sweetness from fruits or vegetables,even though it could still be high in sugar.
Why is low-sugar so healthy? lesser sugar you eat the stronger the bodies immune system works.Which is why its not uncommon to see some of us end up with severe colds and flu after holiday sweet indulgences.The high sugar in the body slows\weakens the body's natural defenses(immune system) and makes the body more vulnerable to bacterial and viral infections.For an over all good health ,eating low sugar diet is vital.
For the oatmeal macaroons I used some dried tropical fruit mix.Lucky for me ,my store here sells the kind with tart dried kiwis,papaya,mangoes,bananas and pineapples.The macaroons are low in sweetness with heart healthy Oatmeal and tart and sweet bits of dried tropical fruit,just right for a holiday indulgent treat.
Ingredients
1 1\2 cup Original rolled Oats,toasted
2 tablespoon Organic butter
2 tablespoon light olive oil
1 Organic egg
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
pinch of ground cloves
1/2 cup dried fruits(I used the tropical fruit mix,already has 24 gms of sugar in one serving(1/2 cup) ,hence I added no extra sugar)
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
Method
Line your baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.Preheat Oven to 350F.
Melt butter in a pan,add the rolled oats,oil and brown then lightly,stir constantly about 2-4 minutes.Allow to cool.
Beat egg and spices until fluffy ,stir in cooled oats,chopped dried fruit and the lemon zest.
Using a tablespoon drop the mixture on the baking sheet and about 1 inch apart.
Bake for about 15 minutes until light brown on top.Cool on wire rack.
Low sugar Oatmeal fruit Macaroons will be joining in Meeta's Monthly Mingle ,hosting the Low-sugar treats is Dee of Daily Tiffin.
Comments
I made some two days back but of course with anything I could find in my pantry. Was not bad at all... since it was my own recipe, wasn't sure if it turned out like a macaroon or a cookie!
yes, even many food products say "fat free".. but they are actually not.. since they loaded with sugar.. especially icecreams
The best thing is to simply avoid processed foods as much as possible. A fresh fruit juice would probably have the same amount of sugar as the one in the cardboard boxes, but it also has a zillion more vitamins in it.
Best,
Sophie, Key Ingredient Chief Blogger
sophie@keyingredient.com