Sonja Goedkoop
Even though I’m a registered dietitian, I still love sweets. It’s important to find balance and moderation when it comes to your eating patterns. This means following AICR’s recommendations for a New American Plate most of the time, while allowing for the occasional treat. This type of balanced eating pattern will help you reduce your risk of cancer and chronic disease while staying satisfied and enjoying all the foods you love.
One of my favorite treats is a homemade oatmeal chocolate chip cookie. Most cookies are made almost entirely with sugar, butter and refined (white) flour – ingredients that can quickly lead to weight gain and increase your risk of cancer. However, in my numerous past attempts to make healthier cookies I’ve generally ended up with bland or dry tasting “healthy cookies.”
I recently found the perfect solution to making healthier cookies that also taste great. This recipe combines the sweet, gooey-chocolate and nutty flavor I love in oatmeal chocolate chip cookies while using minimally processed, nutritious ingredients.
They are made with fiber-rich whole rolled oats and almond flour, which add great flavor and make the cookies gluten free. The fat from the flaxseed and nut butter are rich in heart healthy omega-3 fatty acids and make this recipe more suitable for following a plant-based diet.
The recipe is quick and easy to follow, only requiring about 10-15 minutes of prep. When the dough is ready, carefully form the balls and drop onto a cookie tray. Don’t worry that the dough is a bit stickier than most traditional cookie dough. I also recommend pressing the balled dough down a bit in the middle since the cookies won’t flatten much during cooking.
When the cookies are done baking, carefully remove them from the cookie sheet (they will be fragile) and allow them to cool. These easy, hearty and yummy cookies make a great dessert or even a power snack on the go.
Here’s the recipe: Made-over Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bites
What’s your favorite healthier treat?
Sonja Goedkoop, MSPH, RD, is a registered dietitian at Zesty, Inc. She is passionate about helping others improve their health through diet and physical activity and believes eating nutritious food should be easy and taste great. You can follow her on twitter @SonjaGoedkoopRD.
