About Me
Hi! I’m Sarah Schiffer, the Dietitian, writer, recipe developer, photographer, and food stylist behind Healthy Sweet Eats. I've had the idea for Healthy Sweet Eats for a while now, but this site was finally born in 2014.
Pull up a chair (and a spoon) and dig in.
My Food Philosophy
I don’t buy into the whole idea of “guilt-free” foods. Dessert or not, I don’t think food should come with emotional strings attached.
Even if we splurge, I think it’s important not to beat ourselves up over it. Not only is tomorrow a new day, but the next second can also be a new beginning and a new opportunity to make a healthier choice.
So free yourself from the guilt game, and instead start making healthy desserts that satisfy your sweet tooth and also nourish your body. When cake can legitimately pass for breakfast it’s a win-win!
What Is "Healthy"?
Most of us probably share the same general idea of what healthy means (e.g. exercise, eating your veggies, drinking enough water, etc.). However, as far as the nitty-gritty details go, the idea of “healthy” can be quite subjective.
Recipes on this website avoid most over-processed ingredients (like all-purpose flour and white sugar) and instead use whole, unprocessed, nutrient-rich foods whenever possible.
Of course, this takes a little bit of understanding because although ingredients such as hazelnut meal, coconut sugar, maple syrup, ground cinnamon, etc. are considered “healthy” by most (or at least healthier alternatives), they are technically still processed. Anything that has been altered from the state in which it occurs in nature – for example, dehydrating fresh grapes into raisins, or grinding almonds into flour – is processed.
I don’t think it has to be complicated though; that’s where a little leeway and understanding comes in.
When I Say Healthy, I Mean the Recipes On Healthy Sweet Eats Are:
- Real food-based, meaning a decent source of healthy fat, protein, fiber, and/or vitamins instead of being empty calories or “junk” food
- Grain-free
- Gluten-free
- Naturally-sweetened
- Non-GMO
- Artificial dye-free
- Usually vegetarian and/or vegan
- Mostly paleo and/or primal-friendly
- Sometimes low-carb and/or keto
- And of course I encourage you to use organic ingredients whenever it works for you
The Recipes On Healthy Sweet Eats Are Not Diet Foods
I don’t consider these recipes “diet” food.
On the contrary, you’ll notice that most are not low-fat or low-calorie, but are a good source of healthy fat (from sources like coconut, nuts, seeds, etc.) and highly satisfying.
Instead of viewing these as diet-friendly recipes (which they may or may not be, depending on what diet you follow), I prefer to think of them as healthy lifestyle recipes. You can always check out the nutrition label for each recipe to see if it fits into your eating plan.
Disclaimer
Please note that nothing on this website should be construed as nutritional or medical advice. Be sure to check with your health care provider before making any changes to your diet.