Summer Recipes Using Splenda
The much-anticipated arrival of the summer tends to bring out the inner child in everyone, and that child has one big sweet tooth! Ice cream, strawberry shortcake, sherbet and homemade barbecue sauce are usually loaded with unhealthy amounts of sugar. Diabetics and other people practicing sugar free diets should not despair. Almost every summer recipe that calls for sugar can be made using Splenda instead.
Splenda is a no-calorie sweetener made with Sucralose, a heat-stable ingredient. Most people have seen Splenda in smaller packets perfect for adding to coffee and other drinks, but Splenda also comes in a granulated form that is designed to be used in baking and other recipes. The granulated form of Splenda measures just like sugar, making it very easy to create delicious summer recipes using Splenda instead of sugar. You will no longer need to miss out on the mouth-watering treats that summer brings due to being healthier.
How to Use Splenda in Summer Recipes
There are a few things to remember when using Splenda to sweeten your favorite summer recipes.
- Splenda works best in recipes where sugar is used mainly to sweeten. It is ideal for use in gelatin desserts, cheesecake, sorbets, ice creams, and other delicious summer desserts.
- Cakes may need a little extra help to rise when substituting Splenda for sugar. For shortcake and other cake recipes, try adding a half of a cup of nonfat dry milk and a half of a teaspoon of baking soda for every cup of Splenda.
- Splenda can be used in jams and jellies as long as all proper canning techniques are followed to avoid any spoilage or contamination. Once jams, sauces or jellies made with Splenda are opened, they should be refrigerated.
Favorite Summer Recipes Using Splenda
If you love those coffee slushy-smoothies from a national coffee chain, try the recipes listed below for a refreshing, decadent, and healthier coffee smoothie in its place.
Iced Coffee Smoothie with Splenda
Coffee ice cubes
1 cup strong coffee, cooled in refrigerator
Splenda granulated sugar substitute to taste
Skim milk, whole milk or cream
In a blender, combine eight to ten coffee flavored ice cubes, one cup of strong, cooled coffee, and Splenda to taste. Pulse several times on high, then switch to high speed to blend until texture is smooth. Pour into a tall glass, add skim milk or cream if desired and enjoy this wonderful summer treat.
Breakfast smoothies are a great way to start your day with a full serving of fresh, sweet fruit. Splenda brings out the already delicious taste in summer-sweet strawberries, blueberries and raspberries.
Very Berry Breakfast Smoothie
2 cups frozen whole strawberries
½ cup frozen blueberries
½ cup frozen raspberries
1 cup plain yogurt
¼ cup Splenda granulated sugar substitute
In a blender, combine two cups of frozen, unsweetened strawberries, a half of a cup frozen whole blueberries, a half of a cup of frozen raspberries, one cup plain yogurt, and a quarter of a cup of Splenda granulated sugar substitute. Whirl on high until smooth, scraping down sides of the blender if necessary. Serve in tall glasses and top with a few fresh blueberries.
Some of the most delicious summertime treats revolve around the barbecue grill. There are dozens of recipes that require delicious barbecue sauce. Try this healthy Eastern-influenced ginger-sesame sauce for tuna, chicken, beef or pork.
Splend-Oriental Marinade for Grilling
½ cup soy sauce
1 clove garlic, minced
¼ cup green scallion, sliced
1 teaspoon minced ginger root
2 tablespoons sesame oil
6 tablespoons Splenda granulated sugar
In a small bowl, combine six tablespoons of Splenda granulated sugar substitute, a half of a cup of soy sauce, one minced clove of garlic, a quarter of a cup of sliced scallion tops, one teaspoon of minced fresh ginger root, and two tablespoons of sesame oil. Stir to mix and pour over meat or fish. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least two hours before grilling.
Finish off a special summer dinner with this very sophisticated gelatin dessert that is low on calories and long on flavor.
Espresso Velvet Gelatin Dessert
1 envelope Knox unflavored gelatin
½ cup cold water
1 ½ cups cold water
2 tablespoons finely ground coffee
3 teaspoons Splenda granulated sugar substitute
Whipped cream for topping if desired
Sprinkle one envelope of Knox unflavored gelatin on a half of a cup of cold water in a small bowl. In a small saucepan, sprinkle 3 tablespoons of finely ground coffee over one and a half cups of cold water. Bring water to a simmer without stirring. When water starts to bubble at the edges, stir coffee into the water and add three teaspoons of Splenda granulated sugar substitute. Stir over heat until coffee foams. Remove from heat and let steep for five minutes. Strain coffee through cheesecloth lined sieve and stir into gelatin mixture. Pour gelatin coffee mixture into blender and whirl on high for one minute, then pour into an eight by eight inch square-baking pan. Refrigerate until firm. To serve, cut coffee gelatin into cubes and pile in serving dishes. Top with fresh, unsweetened whipped cream about five minutes before serving.
- Jeremy Foster
Must Have Baking Accessories for Low Cal Treats
Too often aspiring chefs think about fattening treats and desserts that are dangerous to any diabetic or individual trying to lead a healthy lifestyle especially when considering the tantalizing snacks they can learn to make. With obesity becoming more of an epidemic, it turns our attention to preparing healthy and delicious baked goods and meals. Not every novice chef or kitchen hobbyist may feel as though they have the necessary tools to get the job done. Before making a trip to the expensive culinary store in your local mall, figure out which baking accessories are needed for low calorie treats that you enjoy making. This can help you make a better decision with your hard-earned money.
Savory Soups
Soup is a favorite treat for those looking to eat healthier and those trying to lose weight. This is because of its rich flavors and inexpensive cost. While the calories and fat content on the usual can of soup may cause it to seem like a dieter’s dream, the sodium content can often leave a great deal to be desired. Homemade soup is really the way to go for maximum nutrition, but it can be a chore to separate the fat and grease from the stock whether it is chicken or beef. The easiest way to complete this task is the find a grease separator that allows you to pour the liquid in one end and release the tasty stock from the other end without any drips or spills.
Delicious Desserts
Ice cream sandwiches have long been a favorite treat when the weather gets hot outside. Unfortunately, these summertime favorites are famous for their empty calories. Rather than packing on the pounds just enjoy this treat, buy your own ice cream sandwich maker so you can control the calorie content without sacrificing the flavor. Fill it up with your favorite frozen yogurt and fat free cookies for a special treat to beat the heat.
Smoothies are another excellent frozen snack that is perfect for either dessert, snack time or a nutritious breakfast, even if they do mean dragging out that heavy blender with all of its many parts that need to be washed after each use. A better alternative is to use a small blender made especially for smoothies. Add a little bit of ice, fresh or frozen fruit and your favorite brand of yogurt for a drink that is as nutritious as it is delicious. This also allows you to make a delicious smoothie without having to wash every part of the blender.
An often overlooked dessert option is freshly sliced fruit. Fresh pineapple, in particular, is a tropical favorite that would probably be eaten more often if it were not so difficult to manage. This is where a simple pineapple cutter comes into play. Much like the apple slicers made so popular by caramel apple enthusiasts, this handy kitchen gadget can core the entire pineapple and produce perfect rings without damaging the pineapple shell. Now you can serve beautiful pineapple rings alone or as a garnish to your favorite desserts while using the outer shell as a centerpiece.
Simmering Sides
Slow cookers have long been favorites of those home chefs looking to produce hearty meals without breaking the family budget because they can make even the most inexpensive cuts of meat tender as filet mignon after a day of simmering. The less known use of these time saving kitchen electronics is that they can be used to cook root vegetables to tender perfection without the need for butter or fat. That same delicious stock saved from a previous meal can be loaded into your slow cooker with potatoes, carrots, and onions to make for a healthful and tasty side to any main course.
For vegetable options that do not require a full day of simmering and cooking, a vegetable griller is the perfect alternative. Whether the vegetables are chopped to perfection or whole peppers, this accessory should be a favorite of every barbeque master. Gone are those days of losing half the vegetables when they slip off the rack or having to spend hours soaking and scraping their remnants off the grill. Now, you can look forward to tender vegetables cooked to perfection without the use of fat or butter for seasoning. What more could any aspiring chef or grill connoisseur ask for when it comes to all those must have baking accessories for low cal treats?
There are many great tools available for cooking a healthy meal, but it mostly depends on what you enjoy making. A few great examples are soups, smoothies, ice cream, and slow cooked meals. Each of these foods has their own recommended tools to ensure the food is cooked properly.
- Sandy Darson
Does anyone have easy ideal smoothie/shake recipes?
i had an accident in which i am forced to have only liquids therefore im looking for a recipe thats yummy to fill my hungry tummy!!!
- Chelz.
I’m going to make a smoothie?
and the only fruites i have right now is grapes and watermelon. i’m going to make a smoothie for the first time so how do you make it ?
- chippy
Are you Getting enough Greens in your Diet?
If you are not consuming green smoothies, you might want to start. Victoria Boutenko author of Green For Life discovered that after being raw for several years her family’s health was deteriorating and she could not figure out why. After doing some research she realized that her family’s diet did not include enough greens.
Green smoothies are full of nutrients.
Kale has about 3 calories a serving (1 cup). Kale provides vitamins including A, C, K, thiamin, and folate, and minerals like calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium. As you can see, some greens contain a wide array of nutrients. Surprisingly, kale also contains protein and omega-6 fatty acids. You can find out more about the nutritional content of kale at Nutrition Data.
Benefits of drinking a green smoothie:
Cleanses the colon Helps with weight loss Alkalizes the body Helps to reduce cravings and more…
Why drink a green smoothie?
Victoria suggests that we drink 1 to 2 quarts of green smoothie a day; that would be 32–64 ounces of green smoothie. A great way to get your green smoothie in is to drink it for breakfast; this way you know you have taken care of your nutritional needs for the day.
As shown above greens have a wide array of nutrients. By incorporating one green smoothie a day you are getting in valuable nutrients. I highly suggest that you use organic greens from your local farmers market if possible.
When I first started eating raw I used to make green smoothies, but I would use too much fruit and no water—it was a disaster. But I didn’t give up. Here is a yummy green smoothie recipe for you to start with.
My Favorite Green Smoothie:
2 apple (Gala or Fuji) 1 Med Lemon (peeled and seeds removed) Spinach (one to two handfuls) 2 cups Water Add Honey or Agave to taste 2 Strawberries (Optional)
Blend all ingredients in blender. You can add add ice or serve room temperature. That’s it!
Be sure to get yourself a copy of Green For Life, by Victoria Boutenko; it contains great information on why green smoothies are important to your health.
- Tanisha Marshall
i am taking celltech creatine, can i put it in a smoothie instead of water?
i bought the grape celltech creatine and it taste terrible will i get the same effects of the creatine if i put it in a smoothie?
- Gio
Good fruit smoothie recipes anyone?
I have all these ingrediants for smoothies, but am not sure what kind to make:
Mango
Banana
Orange
Pineapple
Grapes
Apples
Natural Yougart
- Crystal Mandie
Some Great Acai Berry Recipes
pularity of the acai berry increases, more and more people have also started looking for ways on how to add it to their regular dishes. The acai berry has become one of the most in-demand ingredients in health products and supplements sold in the market today. From the time the modern world discovered its long list of health properties and benefits, researchers and manufacturers started conducting more studies on how this fruit can actually help in improving the health of people and how they can make it available to people all over the world.
The acai berry is harvested from palm trees which grow near the Amazon river in South America. Although there have been a lot of Brazilian natives who have used it as food and as herbal medicine, it was only recently when it was used as a main ingredient for various health products. Some of its benefits would include: lowering blood pressure; lowering the levels of body cholesterol; improving sleep; making the immune system stronger and more resistant to illnesses; supplemental treating of cancer; relieving the symptoms of various ailments; helping in permanent and safe weight loss; toning the muscles; improving eyesight; renewing and repairing the cells; lowering the risk of several cardiovascular diseases; improving mental health; boosting the body’s energy levels; helping the process of digestion; and making a person healthier inside and out. Because of these benefits, a lot of acai berry recipes have also been created by companies selling acai berry supplements and by individuals who are looking for ways on how to add it to their daily meals. Some of the recipes that have been made which has the acai berry as an ingredient would include: smoothies, shakes, juices, sorbets or ice cream, cookies, sauces, puddings, energy drinks and milk shakes. Here are some recipes which you can try. Mixed Fruit Smoothie To create a delicious mixed fruit smoothie, blend a mixture of fruits such as raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, bananas and apples. After that, mix some acai berry pulp or juice and add crushed ice. Blend again until it gets a smooth texture. This would be a perfect drink to have after a workout or after a long day at work. Fruit Salad Delight Mix some sliced apples, bananas, pears, grapes, strawberries and raspberries and put in a bowl. Sprinkle some acai berry powder and mix. This would be the perfect snack or breakfast that would not only take a couple of minutes to prepare but also provide you with a boost of energy. These are just some easy recipes which you could do to make your meals and snacks healthier. You would not only love the great taste of the acai berry mixed with other ingredients, you would also feel and look better in the long run.- Gen Wright
Whats a Good fruit smoothie recipe w/ no ice cream or yogurt?
My mom won’t buy yogurt or ice cream so I need a good recipe for a fruit smoothie.
Help me please!
- Corrina
Trying to Lose Weight? Consider a Meal Replacement Diet
If you have poor eating habits or eat food that’s frequently high in fat and calories, or have difficulty with portion control, a meal replacement diet may be the way you should go. Meal replacements allow people who have difficulty changing their eating habits to make gradual changes. This makes it easier to change your diet permanently, and studies have shown that people who choose meal replacement diets have three times the chance of keeping weight off for good.
As with other diet plans, meal replacements don’t work for everyone. Meal replacements usually come in the form of shakes, bars, and smoothies. If you don’t like drinking liquids or prefer the taste of real food, your best bet is probably to stick with nutritious, low-calorie food choices. A small sandwich with tuna or turkey on whole wheat bread with lettuce and mustard has about the same amount of calories as a 200 calorie meal replacement shake.
If you do choose to try a meal replacement diet, here are a few tips for making it work.
1. Substitute meal replacements at the meals where you find yourself frequently overeating, or tend to make unhealthy choices.
If you eat sugary cereal or donuts for breakfast, have a meal replacement shake instead. If dinner tends to be fast food, have a bar or meal replacement smoothie instead. Anywhere you can substitute healthier choices for unhealthy ones is where you will see the most improvement in your health and your weight.
2. Variety is the spice of life – and meal replacement diets
On days when you have more time to cook, you may only need to have a shake or smoothie for one meal. Try to keep your routine fresh every day by having different flavors and choosing different meal replacements; maybe a smoothie for breakfast Monday, and a bar for breakfast Tuesday.
3. Incorporate exercise into any diet plan, including a meal replacement diet
Exercise is important not only for weight loss, but also for keeping a healthy body and preventing disease. Try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise, both weight-bearing and aerobic, at least five days a week.
4. Eat healthfully for meals that aren’t replaced
Good nutrition is important with any diet. Try to have leafy green vegetables with as many meals as possible, and keep a good balance of protein, fat and carbohydrates at each meal. Fresh fruit and vegetables are great for added fiber, and make great, easy snacks.
- Shane