She Strengthens

The Secret to Cooking with Less Sugar Revealed

When it comes to cooking with minimal sugar, there are a few essential elements that can make all the difference. By incorporating these pantry staples into your cooking routine, you’ll be able to create delicious, low-sugar dishes without sacrificing flavor.

Fiber-Rich Fruits and Veggies: The Key to Natural Sweetness

Frozen or canned fruits and vegetables are a great way to add natural sweetness to your recipes without relying on added sugars. Ripe, fresh fruits like bananas, pears, and pineapple, along with vegetables like sweet potatoes, are packed with fiber and natural sweetness. Stock up on Trader Joe’s Frozen Pineapple Tidbits and canned sweet potatoes and pumpkin to make dishes like Pineapple Teriyaki Short Ribs and decadent Double Chocolate Brownies.

The Power of Medjool Dates

Medjool dates are a game-changer when it comes to low-sugar cooking. These caramel-y fruits are packed with natural sweetness and fiber, making them an ideal substitute for added sugars like brown sugar and honey. With 1.6 grams of fiber per date, they’re a nutritious and delicious addition to recipes like Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Nut and Seed Butters: Creamy Sweetness without Added Sugar

Nut and seed butters provide a rich, creamy sweetness to recipes without relying on added sugars. Trader Joe’s Creamy Unsalted Peanut Butter, Unsweetened Almond Butter, and Unsweetened Sunflower Seed Spread are versatile ingredients that can be used in everything from no-bake energy bites to savory sauces.

Whole Milk Greek Yogurt: The Secret to Moist and Tender Baked Goods

To keep low-sugar baked goods moist and tender without loading up on saturated fats, whole milk Greek yogurt is a must-have ingredient. Recipes like No Sugar Banana Bread rely on the magical combination of Greek yogurt and Medjool dates to add moisture and natural sweetness without added sugar.

Dark Chocolate: Rich Flavor with Less Added Sugar

Bittersweet dark chocolate lends a rich, depth of flavor to recipes while containing less added sugar than its semisweet counterpart. Trader Joe’s Pound Plus 72% Cocoa Dark Chocolate is an easy swap that adds richness and flavor to recipes like low-sugar Chocolate Truffles.

Spices: The Suggestion of Sweetness without Added Sugar

Trader Joe’s ample selection of spices, including Ground Cinnamon and Pumpkin Pie Spice, can provide the suggestion of sweetness without added sugar in your favorite recipes. Vanilla extract is another essential element for your spice drawer, just be sure to choose one that doesn’t contain added sugar.

Nuts and Seeds: Amplifying Flavor without Added Sugar

Toasting nuts is a small step that pays off when you need to amplify flavor without added sugar. Nuts also add texture, which helps round out low-sugar recipes. Trader Joe’s Toasted Pecan Pieces, Premium Walnut Halves, and Raw Almonds are all great additions to recipes like Pecan Pie No Sugar Granola.

By incorporating these pantry staples into your cooking routine, you’ll be able to create delicious, low-sugar dishes that are packed with flavor and nutrition. For more inspiration, check out Half the Sugar, All the Love: 100 Easy, Low-Sugar Recipes for Every Meal of the Day by Jennifer Tyler Lee and Anisha Patel, MD, MSPH.