| According to the media, millions of Americans are | | | | texture of cupcakes, but with fewer calories due to |
| overweight. There are many diet plans aimed at | | | | the small size. Miniature cupcakes can be packed in |
| helping people lose weight, but they all focus on an | | | | lunches, providing portion control while allowing you to |
| important fact--to lose weight, a person needs to | | | | have your sweet treat. |
| decrease calories consumed. Staying on a diet plan | | | | Frosting is a major source of calories on cupcakes. An |
| can be a struggle, but the end result is worth the | | | | easy way to lighten up cupcakes is to eliminate |
| struggle. There are many ways to stay motivated | | | | frosting. For vanilla or angel food cupcakes, try |
| while dieting, including not depriving yourself of your | | | | sprinkling the top of the cupcake with a dusting of |
| favorite treats. Cupcakes are a sweet indulgence that | | | | cocoa powder. This will add a hint of chocolate without |
| can be enjoyed while sticking to a healthy diet. Try | | | | adding many calories. Another healthy frosting |
| these five tips for healthier cupcakes that will fit within | | | | alternative is a homemade cream cheese frosting. By |
| your diet guidelines. | | | | creating this frosting from scratch you are able to use |
| To enjoy cupcakes on a diet, try substituting healthier | | | | reduced-fat cream cheese, thereby reducing calories. |
| ingredients to cut calories and increase nutrients. For | | | | This cream cheese frosting can be flavored with |
| instance, use applesauce instead of oil, sugar substitute | | | | canned pineapple tidbits, crushed strawberries, or |
| instead of regular sugar, and whole wheat flour instead | | | | whichever fruit that you prefer. |
| of white flour. These changes will give your cupcakes | | | | The last tip for creating healthier cupcakes is adding |
| a nutrient boost while cutting calories. If you are | | | | nutrients. While mixing cupcake batter, try folding in |
| hesitant of these changes, try starting out by only | | | | shredded zucchini or mashed bananas. This creates |
| substituting half of an ingredient until you get used to | | | | moist cupcakes with added vitamins. Adding a few |
| the flavor change. | | | | tablespoons of flaxseed or protein powder will not |
| Think outside of the traditional cupcake flavors when | | | | noticeably change the flavor of cupcakes, but will |
| creating healthy cupcakes. Try angel food cupcakes | | | | increase the nutrients. Adding healthy nutrients to |
| instead of chocolate. You can even flavor these | | | | cupcakes will not decrease the calorie count, but will |
| cupcakes with cocoa to create a chocolate cupcake | | | | make your cupcakes a healthier alternative for a |
| with a fraction of the calories a traditional chocolate | | | | sweet treat. |
| cupcake would have. Other healthy flavor options | | | | Eating healthy foods does not have to mean depriving |
| include carrot cake, banana, zucchini, or raspberry. | | | | yourself. It is easy to make changes to a recipe in |
| These flavors are delicious and allow you to indulge | | | | order to have the recipe fit your dieting needs. |
| your sweet tooth while staying within your allotted | | | | Cupcakes are a fun way to celebrate special |
| calories. | | | | occasions and can be a part of a healthy diet, if they |
| If you just want a traditional cupcake, try miniature | | | | are modified to your dietary needs and eaten in |
| cupcakes. These can provide you with the taste and | | | | moderation. |