When the fall season and Thanksgiving roll around, few things are more appealing than harvest flavors. This year, try switching things up a little and aim for the best recipes you can to combine foods that taste great but that are good for you, too. For example, look into some of the healthiest pumpkin pie recipes that will let you indulge without the guilt.
It is possible to enjoy the taste of the healthiest pumpkin pie in a decent sized slice for under 200 calories and without swamping yourself with sugar. The key is to find a recipe that comes with very few ingredients but that works on bursting with flavors due to the quality of those ingredients.
Believe it or not, many of the healthiest pumpkin pie recipes are some of the versions that win top awards and blue ribbons. The following are some of the best tips for making a healthier version of this beloved dessert.
· Use pumpkin – believe it or not, many of the cans of pumpkin pie filling you buy in stores are not made entirely of pumpkin – or any at all! Since other types of squash are cheaper, many companies either mix pumpkin with squash or will keep pumpkin out of it altogether. If you find a higher quality pumpkin puree made exclusively of that ingredient, you’ll discover that there is a great deal more flavor to be enjoyed without having to add as many other ingredients.
· Mix your own spices – instead of buying the pre-mixed pumpkin pie spice, purchase your own ground cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and even ginger. This will let you develop flavors in a balance you enjoy a great deal more.
· Try maple syrup – instead of using brown sugar this year, try maple syrup as a sweetener. It’s better for you and you don’t need nearly as much of it to build flavor in your pie. Stay away from artificial sweeteners. They may seem to offer fewer calories, but they will alter the taste in a way that many people find unpleasant and will only encourage overeating.
· Make a simple crust – instead of buying a frozen pie crust, make a very simple version of your own. Use a high quality flour. Unless you use whole grain flour, the odds are that this part of the pie won’t be great for you, but homemade will be better than the types made in a factory.
