Wondering how you'll satisfy your sweet tooth during our 10-day sugar detox? Don't worry — I've got you covered. Try any of these delicious and naturally sweet treats, specifically requested by the TODAY Show team. (And if you do join us, be sure to tag #NoSugarTODAY in your social media posts!)
#nosugarTODAY: Oat-Banana-Pecan Cookies
Willie loves Entenmann’s Mini Chocolate Chip cookies, so I created a naturally sweet cookie based on bananas and pecans, with some vanilla and cinnamon added to flavor them up. Cookie craving solved!
#nosugarTODAY: Pineapple Cherry Pops
Fruit pops are a great way to beat the heat and get a shot of sweetness. But unfortunately, many store-bought brands contain added sugars. You won’t believe just how easy it is to make your own at home, using the naturally sweet flavors of fruit. In this version, which I created for Hoda, I focused on pineapples, cherries and strawberries. The result: a delicious ice pop with less than 40 calories. Go ahead, enjoy seconds!
#nosugarTODAY: Chocolate Ice Cream or Mint Chocolate Ice Cream
You will scream when you see just how much added sugar ice cream can contain. After some experimenting in my kitchen, I came up with this creamy and decadent dish sans sugar or sugar substitutes for Matt, who confessed ice cream was his must-have treat food. Then, I simply added some mint extract to the recipe to create a version for Carson, who loves mint chocolate chip ice cream. Grab your spoon!
#nosugarTODAY: Chocolate Sweet Potato Pudding
Chocolate pudding is one of Savannah’s favorites, but it’s on the “not allowed” list because most brands contain sugar or artificial sweeteners. I made my own version using sweet potatoes (for sweetness), avocado (for creaminess) and unsweetened cocoa powder (for chocolaty flavor). Wait until you taste this…pure perfection!
#nosugarTODAY: Balsamic Popcorn
After a glass of wine (which is allowed on the Sugar Detox), Natalie usually likes to munch on some caramel popcorn (which is not allowed). My fix: This Balsamic Popcorn recipe. Reducing balsamic vinegar for a few minutes creates a naturally sweet syrup, which you can drizzle on top of air-popped popcorn. Yum!
#nosugarTODAY: Waffles with Peach-Ginger Coulis
Maple syrup is the perfect way to finish off waffles or pancakes—but not when you’re following our 10-day Sugar Detox plan. I created this temporary substitute for Al—it features blended and heated peach slices flavored with ginger (a natural anti-inflammatory to ease aches and pains) and some vanilla extract. You might just decide to stick with this topper, even when maple syrup is back on the table.
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