As anyone with a sweet tooth can attest, cutting out desserts altogether is next to impossible. Still, sugary treats are a slippery slope, especially considering that agencies like the World Health Organization recommend adults get less than 10% of their daily energy intake from free sugars.1
In our blog on Creative Ways to Curb Sugar Cravings, we outlined some ways that you can cut back on your added sugar intake, even if you don’t want to commit to cutting out sweets entirely.
One way to reduce your sugar consumption is to reach for stevia instead when whipping up desserts for your family. Recipes like Avocado Chocolate Pudding make the switch simple—sweetened with dates and natural stevia, this dish brings tons of satisfaction without any guilt.
Benefits of Avocado
It’s no secret that avocados are in the middle of a major popularity surge. Technically a stone fruit, avocados have a creamy texture and versatile flavor profile that make them perfect for savory and sweet dishes alike.
In addition to being delicious, avocados are also loaded with nutrients—they’re packed with more potassium than bananas and healthy fats to boot. As if that weren’t enough, you’ll also get a few grams of protein each time you enjoy an avocado.
Advantages of Stevia
When you eat sugar, your blood glucose levels rise in kind. The sharp spikes caused by sugar can leave you feeling sluggish and dissatisfied.
Like sugar, stevia is a natural sweetener, but it doesn’t cause the same spike in blood sugar since it’s a low glycemic extract. Another major perk of choosing stevia for your sweet treats is that it has no calories, so you won’t have to worry about dessert weighing you down—literally.
At KAL, we offer a number of stevia products in both powder and liquid form. When you’re ready to put the power of this sweetener to the test, try out this simple but satisfying recipe for Avocado Chocolate Pudding with stevia extract:
Ingredients
- ½ an avocado, cut into cubes and frozen
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 3 medjool dates
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 teaspoons unsweetened dark cocoa powder
- 12 drops KAL Sure Stevia™ Extract
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a blender and puree until smooth.
*Makes 2 servings. If not eating immediately after making it, transfer to an airtight container and store in the fridge until ready to eat.
239 calories, 15.6g fat (2.1g saturated fat), 28g carbohydrate (9.2g dietary fiber, 16.3g sugars), 3.3g protein, 0mg cholesterol, 98mg sodium