Healthier Holiday Pie Options

By Brandi Goodman 

Pie is a common dessert offering around the holidays. From pumpkin to apple, many families enjoy various traditional pie options. Consider creating healthier versions this year to start working on being more health-conscious.

Pumpkin Pie

Create a healthy pumpkin pie from scratch. Don't purchase the puree in a can from the store. Dig out the insides of a real pumpkin to get what you need for your recipe. Coconut milk, ground flax, rolled oats, coconut sugar, Stevia, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, salt, and vanilla extract all come together to make this dessert happen. Pumpkin provides Vitamin A, iron, folate, and other nutrients that make it beneficial to the body.

Apple Pie

Apples are a great source of Vitamin C and antioxidants. You might think this is already one of the healthier pie choices, but versions purchased from the store aren't nearly as healthy as they should be. They contain far too much sugar and are high in calories. A homemade apple pie is a much better alternative. Whole wheat flour, salt, butter, non-fat milk, pure maple syrup, ice water, and vanilla extract are needed for the crust. Cornstarch, ground cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, pure maple syrup, water, and several kinds of apples are needed for the filling. Leave the peels on to get all the nutritional benefits apples bring.

Sweet Potato Pie

A sweet potato pie is close in texture and flavor to a pumpkin pie. Sweet potatoes provide lots of antioxidants, Vitamin C, Vitamin B, and beta-carotene. Rolled oats and cloves are needed for this recipe along with vanilla extract, cinnamon, coconut milk, pure maple syrup, and (of course) sweet potatoes. 

Blueberry Pie

Blueberries are yet another high antioxidant provider. The deep blue-purple color is one not often seen around the table. Fresh blueberries provide more nutrition than frozen versions so be sure to get some fresh from the store. Unsweetened apple sauce, tapioca starch, and honey work together to help create a tasty filling along with your berries. A coconut oil pie crust can be handmade to use as the base. Just five ingredients are needed, including whole wheat pastry flour, coconut oil, sea salt, coconut sugar, and ice water. 

Less sugar and calories consumed means less time having to spend working it off. Healthier pie options are possible as long as you create them. Skip the store-bought versions and bake a dessert that won't make you feel as guilty as usual.

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in St. Petersburg, Fla.