As the world becomes more aware of the health problems caused by certain ingredients in food, there has been more of a conscious effort to eliminate sugar in recipes. Diabetics will need to avoid sugar as much as possible.
But even when thinking of those of us who do not have any dietary issues, it has been said that eliminating sugar can make us happier and healthier- boosting our immune systems, our attention spans, our energy, and improving the look of our skin.
Of course, despite the health risks associated with sugar, many of us choose to keep it in our diets. Why? Because it makes so many of the foods we eat taste so darn good. This is especially true in the case of sweets.
Take cookies for instance. Finding a good sugar free cookie that doesn’t taste like sawdust can be difficult.
These cranberry oatmeal cinnamon cookies use Splenda instead of sugar. While Splenda comes with its share of health risks, it is sweeter than sugar so you can use less of it to get the same effects. The vanilla extract, cinnamon, and brown sugar also help to up the sweetness factor.
And as a treat, these are relatively healthy. Cranberries are full of vitamins and have been linked to the reduction of cancer and other diseases. Oatmeal is a good source of whole grains, and cinnamon has many benefits- including its ability to lower blood sugar levels!
It can be difficult to find recipes for great tasting sweets but I’m so happy that the search finally paid off. These are moist, chewy and full of flavor without the unwanted sugar many of us are trying to avoid.
Sugar Free Cranberry Oatmeal Cinnamon Cookies
Ingredients:
1 cup butter, unsalted
1/2 cup Splenda brown sugar
1/4 cup Splenda for baking
4 large eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
3 cups old-fashioned oatmeal (not instant)
1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups dried cranberries, soaked in warm water for 30 minutes before use
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375 °F. Lightly oil 2 cookie sheets.
2. In a medium size mixing bowl, mix the butter, Splenda brown sugar, and Splenda for baking together until light and creamy.
3. Add eggs and vanilla extract. Mix until well blended.
4. In a separate large bowl, stir together the two flours, making sure to thoroughly combine them.
5. Gradually add the oatmeal, mixing while adding.
6. Add the baking soda, cinnamon and salt.
7. Add this mixture to the egg mixture. Stir until well blended.
8. Drain the cranberries and pat dry with paper towels. Mix into batter.
9. Drop tablespoon size pieces of dough onto cookie sheets.
10. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until lightly golden brown.
Makes 4 dozen cookies.
Nutrition Information (Serving Size 1 cookie)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 100
Total Fat 4.6g
Saturated Fat 2.6g
Cholesterol 26mg
Sodium 136mg
Total Carbohydrates 11.9g
Dietary Fiber 1g
Sugars 3.2g
Protein 2g
What Are the Risks of Using Splenda?
If you're not familiar with Splenda or other artificial sweeteners, you may be wondering if it's safe to use and consume. While any artificial sweetener you can find in the store or in your food has been approved by the FDA, there are still potential risks. Let's get into the risks of artificial sweeteners.
Consuming too much artificial sweetener can upset the balance of your gut. Your gut is filled with tons of good bacteria to help keep it balanced. Consuming a lot of artificial sweeteners, like Splenda, can cause your gut to fall out of balance. You can help mitigate this by eating enough fiber and foods like Activia.
Artificial sweeteners can act as a laxative in high doses. When taken in large quantities, artificial sweeteners can cause diarrhea. It's important to regulate your consumption of artificial sweeteners to avoid this issue; if you start to notice a change in your bowel movements, reduce or stop your consumption of artificial sweeteners for a while.
Stevia can cause additional side effects. Stevia is a type of sweetener used in place of sugar. When consumed in excess amounts, stevia can cause nausea, dizziness, muscle pain, and numbness, in addition to gut issues. If consuming stevia, make sure you're regulating yourself. Take breaks here and there to prevent these issues.
Recent studies have found a link between artificial sweeteners and cardiovascular issues. While artificial sweeteners are still considered safe for consumption, recent research has shown a possible link between high consumption of artificial sweeteners and an increased risk for cardiovascular issues. If you're already at risk for these problems, talk to your doctor before consuming Splenda or any other artificial sweetener.
While these risks may seem scary, rest assured that consuming artificial sweeteners every once in a while is not a big deal. Eating the cookies in this recipe will not throw your gut into disarray or cause you to develop heart disease. It's important to manage your intake of artificial sweetener, but you don't need to avoid it completely.
Do not take the content of this article as professional medical advice. It's important to exercise due diligence when obtaining relevant information in matters pertaining to your health. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making any medical decisions.
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The image featured at the top of this post is ©MShev/Shutterstock.com.