Dates: Nature’s Whole Food Sweetener
For those who have given up sugar for Lent or are seeking alternatives to sugar and sugar substitutes, Sphinx Date Co. has a sweet answer—dates! Truly nature’s whole food sweetener, dates are versatile enough to be used in a variety of ways to add a little sweetness to healthy treats. Need some inspiration? Read on!
Those considering adding dates to their nutritional repertoire should know that these juicy little gems pack a punch of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. So they are a feel-good sweet treat, even all by themselves. According to the Cleveland Clinic, some of the health benefits of dates include:
Improving gut health, thanks to the fiber content which keeps things moving.
Prevention of chronic diseases, due to dates’ plant compounds that act as antioxidants which protect the body’s cells from damage caused by free radicals.
Boosting brain health—An article on the site states: “Several studies have connected dates with improved brain function, thanks to their antioxidant content. Antioxidants prevent inflammation throughout your body, including in your brain. Brain inflammation has been linked to the development of diseases like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.”
The appearance of more youthful skin. Move over Botox! Enjoying dates is a holistic approach to achieving more younger looking skin! The Cleveland Clinic states that plant hormones may have anti-aging benefits for the skin. “For that reason, phytohormones are sometimes used in skin care products. Dates just happen to be chock full of phytohormones.”
The article goes on to cite a small study that found a date palm kernel cream made by researchers was given to “middle-aged women” to use “around their eyes twice daily for five weeks.” And lo and behold, “The date palm kernel cream reduced the size and depth of their wrinkles.” No injections necessary! The article states that though the study only included 10 women, “the results were clinically significant and showed a lot of promise.”
Now that the benefits have been discussed, figuring out how to use them in everyday meals to reduce sugar is up next. Luckily, there are many easy ways to do so.
For example, adding a few dates to a morning smoothie concoction can replace sugar or sugar alternatives.
To satiate a classic peanut butter and chocolate craving, stuff peanut butter or almond butter (really any nut butter into a pitted date and drizzle with a small amount of very dark chocolate and a sprinkle of high-quality flaky sea salt. This decadent dessert is so satisfying, the sugar will never be missed!
Rather than using store-bought jams and jellies, which are often loaded with hidden sugars, make a date paste by blending fresh dates and a small amount of water to spread on whole grain toast or apple slices.
Dates give traditional desserts such as brownies and cookies a whole new layer of flavor and texture without the refined sugars. In a classic brownie recipe, for example, dates (soaked and blended) can replace sugar altogether while leaving the brownies extra chewy and dense. Cocoa powder and a few dark chocolate chips can ensure that rich, indulgent chocolate flavor with less sugar than a typical brownie made with milk chocolate chips, and white and brown sugars.
Getting creative in the kitchen with dates can help home cooks and health enthusiasts cut back on sugar without sacrificing flavor. So stop into the Palm & Pantry for some fresh dates or order them online and get cooking!