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I Just Like To Bake. Baking’s My Favorite!

ByNicole Doria

It’s cold. It’s dark.

It’s time for hot cocoa, Christmas movie & some cookie baking.

And you know what… being on a diet can severely suck during this time of year if you have a sweet tooth or a love of baking. The sweets are everywhere already and then you want to add to the world of delectable cookies and indulgent cakes.

But take it from somebody who has made it through a handful of Christmases with tons of baking and still managed to lose 135 pounds… This is doable. Anything is doable with a little bit of planning and strategizing and compensating.

Go with me on this one… And just know that I am also a foodie so there are some things in here that I may suggest but I may not actually practice lol!

Strategize Your Baking

Plan your baking sessions. I cannot stress this one enough. This goes right along with anything else that we might plan when we are in a weight loss phase. You know that a baking session is possibly going to lead to dough, consumption, topping consumption, or taste testing at the end. And this isn’t off-limits… nothing ever is. Just plan for it. If you don’t act spontaneously when it comes to baking some cookies, you’re going to have a lot more allowance with it all. But if you do end up baking spontaneously, just know anything can be done with limitation. And if not, there’s always the very next moment to reset.

Consider baking smaller batches. I will be the first to admit that I do not do this. My recipes are older recipes that all seem to bake 3 to 4 dozen and I never remember to make smaller batches. But… this can be a really great way you could enjoy the experience of baking without having too many leftovers at home. Plus, this is actually one of the recommendations that I make for clients who want to have some sweets. Do not buy ready-made or premade dough. Give yourself some time from the thought all the way to the cookie by just having the ingredients on hand and needing to make them. It allows yourself time to pause and really assess what it is that you want instead of consuming a lot on a whim.

Avoid taste testing. I mean, there’s already that warning out there about things with uncooked eggs but I feel like I still have to say something here. There is a lot of different things that can be made that do not have some kind of health warning attached to it. But think of it this way… would you rather have a taste? Or would you rather have a full portion? Or would you rather not have a calorie deficit for that day? Yeah, I went there. Just speaking the truth.

Skip baking your favorites. I cannot say this enough. If you find yourself at home often or passing through the kitchen often…. do not bake your favorites and then try to tell yourself that you will have enough willpower to have mass amounts of them in the house. Because you can’t. Because they’re your favorite. And this goes back to the thought process of what will bring value to you. Your favorites will always bring value to you because they are your favorites. This is a lose-lose situation unless you have got tons of people in the house in that very moment, who are also waiting on these.

Consider Lighter Recipes

There are so many good lighter recipes that you can find that still give you all the taste in the world! It’s not so much about the baking fat as much as it is about the right seasoning and the right mixes. Over the years, we have found so many family favorites from these different resources.

Swapping Ingredients

This is something that we have done in the past, but I have also found that it has produced a lot of family fails. A lot of this was done in the very beginning of my weight loss journey, and I found that it just wasn’t worth it for some of the different recipes. And if I was trying to make something gluten-free, it was better to simply find a gluten-free version in one of the many amazing gluten-free baking recipe sites.

So I will say to you…

May the odds be ever in your favor! – if you were looking to just wing it and try switching something.

  • Swap Flours: Use whole-grain flour in place of refined flour or mix them 50/50 to add fiber and nutrients.
    • Almond flour, Coconut flour (sift well for a smooth texture), Spelt flour, Oat flour (DIY: grind oats in a coffee grinder), Quinoa flour, Whole wheat flour, Paleo flour blends, Brown rice flour
  • Reduce Sugar: You can cut back sugar by 25% without noticeable taste changes or try to sweeten naturally.
    • Natural Sweeteners: Coconut sugar, Stevia, Pure maple syrup, Raw honey, Agave nectar, Brown rice syrup, Yacon syrup
    • Natural Ingredients: Ripe bananas, Fresh or dried (unsweetened) fruits like cranberries or blueberries, Unsweetened coconut flakes, Dark chocolate chips
  • Increase Fiber: Add rolled oats, nuts, seeds, dried fruits, or pureed beans to recipes like muffins or pancakes. Garnish with fresh fruit for extra flavor and fiber.
  • Spice It Up: Use cinnamon, nutmeg, or clove to boost flavor while cutting back on salt and sugar.
  • Boost Nutrition with Fruit and Veggies: Incorporate pureed or shredded fruits (like apples, pears, or bananas) and vegetables (like pumpkin or sweet potatoes) to enhance moisture, nutrients, and flavor while reducing butter or oil.

Plan your indulgences

This one here seems pretty simple, but I’m going to remind you anyway.

Plan. Strategize. Prepare.

That’s how you can successfully move through the holiday. Season with some of these different fun things and still be able to be making progress in your weight loss phase.

  • Plan ahead for your indulgences by adjusting your meals and snacks throughout the day.
  • Focus on getting enough protein and fiber, which can help you feel fuller and reduce the likelihood of overindulging in sweets.
  • Then, enjoy your treats mindfully. Take the time to savor each bite. This not only enhances your enjoyment but can also help you feel satisfied with a smaller portion.

More Resources:

Smart Storage

Out of sight, out of mind!

  1. Store holiday treats in opaque containers and keep them in less accessible areas of the kitchen, like the back of a pantry or a high shelf. This can help reduce the temptation of reaching for them every time you walk into the kitchen.
  2. Balance your food environment by keeping healthier options readily available. Stock up on fruits, vegetables, and high-protein snacks, so you have nutritious choices on hand. This way, when you do indulge in a treat, you can easily balance it with healthier options.

More Resources:

Gifting

This is where it’s at with big baking fests!

GIFTING!

  1. Bring extra treats to gatherings, give them as gifts, or share with neighbors. Not only does this spread holiday cheer, but it also helps manage the amount of sweets in your own home.
  2. Consider whole dessert for parties or gifting. It’s much easier to not take a bite or snack on something that needs to be in its entirety when it’s gifted like a cake or a pie.
  3. Consider an all-in-one gift where you are baking directly into a gift pan or a gift dish. The same theory goes for this as it does for the one above this. You’re not going to take a slice out when it is purposefully created in full.
  4. Consider a cookie exchange! You could always host one and have the ability to share all different types of cookies in smaller amounts.

Takeaway

You don’t have to resist baking completely.

And that’s just a sad sad life to live if that is one of your cup fillers.

Think about using one of the above strategies to make it work for you. I mean… What is this time of year without fresh baked cookies anyway????

Hope it helps!

With Love,

Coach Nik

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2 Comments

  1. From one baker to another, great tips Nicole! Would you rather have a taste or a portion? I like that a lot. I’m guilty oh having both lol.

    Reply
  2. Pingback: Comprehensive Nutrition Guide to Cookie Exchange & Holiday Desserts – always on my mind

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