When it comes to spring cleaning, we often overlook the contents of our pantries and cupboards. However, the kitchen can be home to some less-than-clean ingredients. We can shop with the best of intentions, but unwanted chemicals can sometimes find their way into our pantry staples, which then make their way onto our family’s plates. Take your spring cleaning a step further and refresh the contents of your pantry. Consider swapping out conventional ingredients with these healthier alternatives, and feel even better about baking at home. Here are three swaps you can make to clean up your pantry this spring.
Wholesome Sugar Substitutes
Most baked goods recipes call for sweeteners in some form, making sugar an essential staple for bakers. However, not all sweeteners are created equal. Research has linked the consumption of refined sugar with a higher risk of conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. Refined or ‘added’ sugars are truly more bitter than sweet! On the other hand, natural sugars are usually found in nutrient-rich foods like fruit, and these alternatives contain essential nutrients that can help reduce inflammation and support immunity. Here are 3 plant-based sweeteners to consider using in your baking.
Fruit Butters
Fruit butters are a health-conscious alternative that can be used to add sweetness and flavor to baking. Eden’s Organic Fruit Butters are slow kettle-cooked from organically grown fruit, without refined sweeteners or preservatives. They are available in four delicious flavors: apple, cherry, apple cherry, and grape.
Apple Sauce
Applesauce can be used as a substitute in baking for oil, eggs, and/or sugar, and is well-loved by bakers for its natural sweetness and tart flavor. Eden’s Organic Apple Sauce is made from apples grown organically on family-owned orchards on the shores of the Great Lakes, providing better flavor and nutrition, with no added sugar.
Barley Malt Syrup
Unlike corn syrup, which is a highly processed form of refined sugar, barley malt syrup is a nourishing and versatile sweetener that can be used in place of other syrup sweeteners. Made from grain transformed into wholesome sweetness through the process of traditional malting, Eden’s Barley Malt Syrup makes a superior traditionally malted, organically grown and produced sweetener.
Better-for-You Flours
Grains have been a staple food around the world for thousands of years, but nowadays many conventional flours consist of refined grains, which are stripped of valuable nutrients. Whole grains are part of a healthy diet as they are a source of carbohydrates, multiple vitamins and minerals, and dietary fiber. High fiber foods feed healthy gut bacteria and may also lower your risk of stroke and heart disease. Swap refined white flour with the following better-for-you options.
Quinoa Flour
Naturally gluten-free, quinoa is also a complete plant protein, meaning that it contains all nine essential amino acids. It is also rich in dietary fiber and micronutrients such as B vitamins, magnesium, and folate. Eden’s Organic Quinoa Flour is milled in small batches to best preserve nutrients and flavor. When combined with other flours, it is ideal for gluten-free baking.
Organic Kamut Wheat Flour
When ground, whole grain Kamut makes richly flavored baked goods that offer a source of fiber, potassium and magnesium. Additionally, because it is an heirloom food, many people with wheat sensitivity can enjoy it without any digestive issues. Eden’s Organic Kamut Wheat Flour is a versatile option for health-conscious bakers.
Milks that Do More
For many reasons—a vegan lifestyle, sensitivities or allergies, or environmental concerns to name just a few—conventional milk may not be a good option for your family. If you’re looking for a milk alternative that adds nutritional value to your baking, be sure to consider how the product is made. While soy milk is a popular milk alternative, many brands contain genetically engineered soybeans, giving soy milk a bad rap. However, when prepared correctly through fermentation or proper cooking, soy's protein, antioxidants, and overall nutritional profile is exceptionally nourishing.
EDENSOY is made from multi-tested GEO-free (Genetically Engineered Organism-free), organically grown soybeans, with no refined sugar and no synthetic processing aids. Eden’s continuous testing and quality control measures assure that EDENSOY is the best tasting, most nourishing soymilk there is. Use it in baking as a milk substitute and get the health benefits of organic, GEO-free soy.
Count on Eden to Support Your Health
With these 3 simple swaps, you can ensure your baking is even more nutritious and delicious. With a trustworthy brand like Eden, you never need to wonder if your ingredients are truly healthy or not. You can count on all Eden products, from flours to sweeteners to soy milk and more, to be made with your best health and eco-footprint in mind.
Founded in 1968, Eden Foods is the oldest principled independent organic food company in the United States. Its mission is Creation and Maintenance of Purity in Food. Eden brand is the authentic alternative to commercial food; the purest, best tasting grains, beans, and vegetables on the planet, from known trusted growers. Healthy soil, long-term organic, non-GMO.
