We all know that sugar makes us fat by messing with our blood sugar. But the lesser known fact about sugar is that it is an immunity killer. Why? It depletes the body of major vitamins and minerals, especially Vitamin C, zinc, calcium, potassium & magnesium. Vitamin C and glucose use the same transporters to get into cells, so they compete with one another. The more sugar you pump into your body, the less VitC gets carried to the cells that need it most.
Sugar also feeds the bad bacteria in your gut. It makes your body acidic, which then causes your body to leach out vital minerals like calcium. And because we inadvertently eat so much it by way of processed foods, breakfast cereals, juice and birthday cake -- our body is constantly full of undigested sugars that ferment and cause inflammation around the body. And this inflammation can reveal itself in the form of asthma, eczema, hormonal imbalances, painful joints or ear infections (just to name a few).
But here's the thing. No one wants to eliminate sweetness from their life. It's a fundamental part of happy times & special treats. But, we can find healthier, delicious alternatives that allow us to trade up from the refined garbage out there.
Cue in Eleanor Ozich's My Petite Kitchen Cookbook . This lady has some seriously divine, nutrient rich recipes. Her recipe blog is definitely the most inspiring I've seen to date and her cake and loaf recipes just keep winning me over because they are easy, wholesome and delicious. I highly encourage you to check her out.
Her recipe for Black Bean and Date Chocolate Brownies is my answer to refined sugar-free birthdays. I modified it so that it was slightly more fluffy in texture and use cannellini beans because I always seem to have those on hand. I've used it as birthday cake, topped with raspberries & cream. Absolutely delicious!
It's also DEAD EASY to make.
- 1 tin cannellini beans
- 3/4 cup medjool dates
- 1/4 cup dried prunes
- 1/2 cup raw cacao powder (or good quality unsweetened cocoa powder)
- 4 free range eggs
- 1 tbspn apple cider vinegar
- 1 tspn baking soda
Preheat the oven to 160C. Grease a 20x24cm tin.
Separate the egg yolks from the whites. In a food processor add all the ingredients (except the egg whites) and blend until smooth. Beat the egg whites until soft white peaks form and fold in to the batter.
Pour the batter into tin and bake for 30min. Leave to cool for 20 minutes before turning out onto a cooling board.
This cake is MORE THAN JUST GUILT FREE.
- Studies have shown that dried prunes helps increase bone density.
- Medjool dates are loaded with potassium to help regulate blood pressure.
- Cannellini beans are full of antioxidants tied to reducing heart disease.
- And the raw cacao is full of magnesium to help you relax.
Your body might actually thank you for having more than one slice!
Alternatives to refined sugar are plentiful today.
Trade up and be part of the brave, new, sugar-free world that puts your family's immunity front & centre!
Thrive Nutrition Practice launches Spring 2016