<div><p>Have you ever baked a whole pan of brownies and eaten the entire thing? What about that time you bought four chocolate bars at the grocery store and somehow they disappeared on the way home. Maybe that last one is just me...</p><p>Anyhow, we all have our guilty moments when it comes to desserts. This tip will make it easier (and healthier!) to indulge in your favorite treats without having to feel bad about it. </p><p>The secret is to add a few veggies to your cookie batter. If a cookie with salad in it doesn't appeal, I don't blame you. That's why you have to pick the right vegetables for each recipe. You won't even be able to taste them!</p><p><strong>1. Carrots</strong></p><div><figure><amp-img src="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/Shredded-Carrots-A-Pretty-Life.jpg" srcset="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/Shredded-Carrots-A-Pretty-Life_GH_content_550px.jpg 550w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/Shredded-Carrots-A-Pretty-Life_GH_content_650px.jpg 650w" sizes="89vw" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img><figcaption class="op-vertical-center"><cite>A Pretty Life</cite></figcaption></figure></div><p>We've all had carrot cake, but you can add grated carrots to cookies, muffins, brownies, and cakes for a healthy boost of vitamin A and beta carotene. Add 1/4 or 1/2 cup of shredded carrot to your recipe and make sure your recipe has a minimum of 30 minutes of cooking time - it will ensure the carrots will soften. </p><p><!-- [invalid-shortcode] --></p><p><strong>2. Spinach</strong></p><div><figure><amp-img src="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/mushrooms-choppedspinach.jpg" srcset="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/mushrooms-choppedspinach_GH_content_550px.jpg 550w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/mushrooms-choppedspinach_GH_content_650px.jpg 650w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/mushrooms-choppedspinach_GH_content_750px.jpg 750w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/mushrooms-choppedspinach_GH_content_850px.jpg 850w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/mushrooms-choppedspinach_GH_content_950px.jpg 950w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/mushrooms-choppedspinach_GH_content_1050px.jpg 1050w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/mushrooms-choppedspinach_GH_content_1150px.jpg 1150w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/mushrooms-choppedspinach_GH_content_1250px.jpg 1250w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/mushrooms-choppedspinach_GH_content_1350px.jpg 1350w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/mushrooms-choppedspinach_GH_content_1450px.jpg 1450w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/mushrooms-choppedspinach_GH_content_1550px.jpg 1550w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/mushrooms-choppedspinach_GH_content_1630px.jpg 1630w" sizes="89vw" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img><figcaption class="op-vertical-center"><cite>Less Sam By The Day</cite></figcaption></figure></div><p>This leafy green is a good source of folate and iron, and you can easily sneak in 1/2 cup of chopped spinach into brownies or chocolate cake. You won't see it and you won't taste it, but it will give you a ton of nutritional benefits. </p><p><strong>3. Avocado</strong></p><div><figure><amp-img src="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/33-2-700x469.jpg" srcset="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/33-2-700x469_GH_content_550px.jpg 550w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/33-2-700x469_GH_content_650px.jpg 650w" sizes="89vw" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img><figcaption class="op-vertical-center"><cite>Eat Yourself Skinny</cite></figcaption></figure></div><p>Who doesn't love avocados? The creamy consistency makes them an ideal addition to chocolate pudding, and you'll get the <a href="http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=5">added benefit</a> of healthy omega fats, vitamin K, and vitamin E! The kids don't have to know.</p><p><strong>4. Zucchini </strong></p><div><figure><amp-img src="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/grated-zucchini.jpg" srcset="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/grated-zucchini_GH_content_550px.jpg 550w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/grated-zucchini_GH_content_650px.jpg 650w" sizes="89vw" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img><figcaption class="op-vertical-center"><cite>One Family Meal</cite></figcaption></figure></div><p>This yummy veggie might not have a strong taste, but it has a load of carotenoids that help prevent <a href="http://www.livestrong.com/slideshow/1012915-11-sneaky-ways-add-vegetables-dessert/#slide=6">macular degeneration</a>. Add 1/2 cup of grated zucchini to quick breads and cakes. It will help hold the batter together and give it a soft consistency. </p><p><!-- [invalid-shortcode] --></p><p><strong>5. Sweet Potatoes</strong></p><div><figure><amp-img src="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/SweetPotatoCoconutPuree3.jpg" srcset="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/SweetPotatoCoconutPuree3_GH_content_550px.jpg 550w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/SweetPotatoCoconutPuree3_GH_content_650px.jpg 650w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/SweetPotatoCoconutPuree3_GH_content_750px.jpg 750w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/SweetPotatoCoconutPuree3_GH_content_850px.jpg 850w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/SweetPotatoCoconutPuree3_GH_content_950px.jpg 950w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/SweetPotatoCoconutPuree3_GH_content_1050px.jpg 1050w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/SweetPotatoCoconutPuree3_GH_content_1150px.jpg 1150w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/SweetPotatoCoconutPuree3_GH_content_1250px.jpg 1250w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/SweetPotatoCoconutPuree3_GH_content_1350px.jpg 1350w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/SweetPotatoCoconutPuree3_GH_content_1450px.jpg 1450w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/SweetPotatoCoconutPuree3_GH_content_1550px.jpg 1550w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/SweetPotatoCoconutPuree3_GH_content_1630px.jpg 1630w" sizes="89vw" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img><figcaption class="op-vertical-center"><cite>Wellicious</cite></figcaption></figure></div><p>Believe it or not, you can replace some of the sugar and fat in your dessert recipe with sweet potato puree! Similar to carrots, sweet potatoes are an excellent source of vitamin A and beta carotene. Replace 1/4 cup of sugar and 1/4 cup of butter in your recipe with 1/2 cup of cooled sweet potato puree. It will both sweeten the batter and and act as a binding agent as your recipe bakes. </p><p><strong>6. Beets</strong></p><div><figure><amp-img src="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/beet-sliced-0615.jpg" srcset="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/beet-sliced-0615_GH_content_550px.jpg 550w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/beet-sliced-0615_GH_content_650px.jpg 650w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/beet-sliced-0615_GH_content_750px.jpg 750w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/beet-sliced-0615_GH_content_850px.jpg 850w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/beet-sliced-0615_GH_content_950px.jpg 950w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/beet-sliced-0615_GH_content_1050px.jpg 1050w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/beet-sliced-0615_GH_content_1150px.jpg 1150w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/beet-sliced-0615_GH_content_1250px.jpg 1250w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/beet-sliced-0615_GH_content_1350px.jpg 1350w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/beet-sliced-0615_GH_content_1450px.jpg 1450w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/beet-sliced-0615_GH_content_1550px.jpg 1550w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/beet-sliced-0615_GH_content_1630px.jpg 1630w" sizes="89vw" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img><figcaption class="op-vertical-center"><cite>From the Grapevine</cite></figcaption></figure></div><p>Here's an idea! You can use beets to make red velvet cake! As a source of dietary fiber and vitamin C, they're much better for you than adding synthetic food coloring. Simply puree 1/2 cup of well-cooked beets (cooled) and add to the cake batter. Don't be afraid to experiment.</p><p><!-- [invalid-shortcode] --> </p><p><strong>7. Cauliflower</strong></p><div><figure><amp-img src="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/maxresdefault--21-.jpg" srcset="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/maxresdefault--21-_GH_content_550px.jpg 550w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/maxresdefault--21-_GH_content_650px.jpg 650w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/maxresdefault--21-_GH_content_750px.jpg 750w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/maxresdefault--21-_GH_content_850px.jpg 850w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/maxresdefault--21-_GH_content_950px.jpg 950w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/maxresdefault--21-_GH_content_1050px.jpg 1050w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/maxresdefault--21-_GH_content_1150px.jpg 1150w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/maxresdefault--21-_GH_content_1250px.jpg 1250w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/maxresdefault--21-_GH_content_1350px.jpg 1350w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/maxresdefault--21-_GH_content_1450px.jpg 1450w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/maxresdefault--21-_GH_content_1550px.jpg 1550w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/maxresdefault--21-_GH_content_1630px.jpg 1630w" sizes="89vw" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img><figcaption class="op-vertical-center"><cite>Foods 101 With Deronda YouTube</cite></figcaption></figure></div><p>Luckily, cauliflower is white and doesn't have a very strong flavor. That means you can slip it into a host of different recipes and it will go completely unnoticed. Cauliflower is rich in vitamin C and helps prevent cancer, so why wouldn't you? Steam it first before making it into a puree, then substitute it for butter or shortening to help reduce unhealthy fats. </p><p><!-- [invalid-shortcode] --></p><p><strong>We want to hear from you! Would you try one of these healthy substitutions in your baking? Why or why not?</strong></p></div>
Health | Food | Did You Know