The food you choose can have a big impact on not only your health but also your well-being. Paying attention to your diet is a great way to take control of your life.
In recent years, healthy eating has become a hot topic. It is, therefore, important to look for more nutritious ingredients for your baked goods or dishes.
There are many ways to bake the products you love so that you can enjoy them and your customers while keeping them healthy.
You will find all the information you need about healthier baking. This includes tips, tricks, health benefits, and alternative ingredients.
Part 2. What you need to know about healthier baking
What is healthier baking, and why should I be involved?
The term “healthier baking” encompasses a wide range of actions that are taken to make baked goods as nutritious as possible while maintaining their taste. Home bakers, as well as businesses, mistakenly believe that healthier baking requires a lot of time and effort.
It’s good to know that you don’t have to spend a fortune or change the recipe. You can start your healthier baking journey or that of your bakery by selecting ingredients that are healthier and substituting ingredients where possible.
Healthy baking is not just about reducing or eliminating fats, sugar, gluten, or salt. It also includes adding or increasing health-supporting ingredients to create guilt-free meals. Baking does not affect the majority of vitamins and minerals in many elements, so you don’t have to worry about the nutritional value of your healthy bakes.
You can indulge in healthier baking at home without compromising your health. Offering more nutritious options to your customers can boost sales and attract a larger customer base.
2.2 Easy habits to start your healthier baking journey
Healthy baking is much easier than people think. These simple habits can help home bakers, as well as bakeries, begin on the path to a more inclusive, nutritious baking.
1. Be aware of the portion sizes
By paying attention to portion sizes, you can start making a big difference right away. By adjusting portion sizes, both you and your clients will get the same taste but with less sugar, fats, and calories.
2. Try healthier baking recipes
The keyword “healthy” is a great way to find a recipe. Most recipes include substitutes for ingredients, like substituting regular Flour with quinoa.
3. Replace common baking ingredients with healthier substitutes
Baking can be more creative than you might think. Most components can easily be substituted for healthier alternatives to make the recipe more nutritious. This also allows it to cater to different diets. Sugar can be substituted with honey or Greek yogurt, while butter can also be used as a healthier alternative.
4. Reduce the amount of fats and sugar in your diet
You can also reduce the amount of sugar and fat in a recipe by using less than is called for. The taste may change slightly, but the benefits of a healthier diet will outweigh any short-term changes. As more people become health-conscious, more nutritious food options will be popular amongst them.
5. Add more healthy ingredients
By using more nutritious ingredients, you can indulge guilt-free. Use more nutritious wheat flour, such as wholegrain, in your baked goods. Or add nuts and fruit to your chocolate chip cookies.
6. Breads can be made with less salt
Most types of bread contain between 100 and 172 milligrams of sodium. This amounts to 7 to 12 percent of your daily sodium consumption. Singaporeans consume nearly twice as much sodium than the daily recommended limit.
Reduce the amount of sodium you add to your baked goods, as people tend to eat more than one slice per day. This will help your family and customers maintain a healthy lifestyle.
2.3 Healthier substitutes for common baking ingredients
Although the tips above are useful and can easily be incorporated into your baking journey, whether you’re a professional or a home baker, consider substituting ingredients with healthier options for better results.
- Replace the sugar in your diet with fresh fruit or natural sweeteners.
Honey and Stevia, which are natural sweeteners, will replace sugar without affecting the taste of baked goods. These sweeteners are richer in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which will improve your health. Add fresh fruit to your recipe for an extra touch of sweetness and as a decorative element.
- Replace butter with Greek yogurt or plant-based oils.
Butter is delicious, but it contains fats that can lead to many unwanted health problems when consumed in excess. Instead of using butter, use plant-based oils like avocado and olive oil or Greek yogurt. The first adds moisture, while the second gives your baked goods a rich, tangy taste reminiscent of buttermilk.
- Replace the icing with cocoa powder or honey.
Consider using honey, cocoa powder, or yogurt as a drizzle for baked goods instead of icing, which is usually made from a large amount of powdered sweetener. These alternatives to icing are often better tasting and equally effective.
- Choose dark chocolate instead.
Dark chocolate has benefits, such as improving blood circulation and lowering blood tension, reducing the risk of heart disease, and improving brain functions.
- Replace all-purpose Flour with wholegrain Flour.
WWholegrains have a number of health benefits, including improving digestion and reducing the risk of heart disease. By substituting a portion of all-purpose Flour for whole grains, you can help your customers, and yourself meet the recommended daily intake of wholegrains. WWholegrainFlour also adds a nutty flavor to baked goods, giving them an added depth of flavor.
Almond, buckwheat, and oats Flour are also healthier alternatives.
- Use egg substitutes like mashed banana.
Eggs are avoided by many for a variety of reasons, ranging from allergies and health concerns to dietary preferences like being vegetarians or vegans. You can cater to a wider range of people with your baked goods by substituting eggs with alternatives like mashed bananas or silken tofu.
Part 3. WWholegrainFlour
It is recommended to pay attention to the type and quality of Flour that you use, even though there are healthier alternatives for most baking ingredients. Flour is an essential ingredient in many, if not all, baking recipes.
Continue reading to find out why you should adopt wholegrain Flour in your baking.
3.1 What is wholegrain Flour?
After milling, only the endosperm, bran, and germ remain. Some whole grains, like oatmeal and brown rice, are eaten as they are. Others can be made into products such as buckwheat flour for bread and wholegrain noodles. WWholegrainFlour, in particular, is made of whole grains, seeds, and kernels of wheat that have not been processed. The flavor of wholegrains is enhanced by keeping the germ and the bran intact.
WWholegrainFlour, in addition to adding a slightly nutty flavor, is high in minerals, fiber, vitamins B and E, and protein.
3.2 Health benefits of using wholegrain Flour in baked goods
People of all ages will benefit from the health benefits of wholegrain Flour. Here are a few things to know.
1. Improves digestion
WWholegrainFlour’s high fiber content helps boost digestion by feeding gut “good” bacteria. A healthy gut will keep indigestion and irregular bowel movements at bay and prevent other problems such as stomach pain, diarrhea, and constipation.
2. Overeating can be prevented
High-fiber foods provide volume, which helps you feel satisfied faster and for longer. They also contain fewer calories. This will help you to avoid overeating. It is a great alternative for those who are watching their weight.
3. Reduces risk of heart disease
Consuming whole foods can reduce heart disease risk by 30%! WWholegrainFlour in baked goods can help lower cholesterol and blood pressure, which are both important for a healthy heart.
4. Type 2 diabetes is reduced by reducing the risk
WWholegrains have a lower glycaemic (GI) index, which helps maintain optimal blood glucose levels and prevent type 2 diabetes. This is due to the fiber and bran in whole grains. WWholegrains also contain vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals, which can help reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Instead of baking white bread, try more wholegrain recipes. This will give you and your customers the option to select a healthier alternative.
3.3 WWholegrainFlour is the best choice for both home bakers as well as bakeries
The Health Promotion Board (HPB) conducted a study that revealed positive trends among Singaporeans in their consumption of whole grains. Whole grains such as brown rice, wholemeal bread, and oats are more popular than refined carbs.
You can encourage the adoption of wholegrain Flour and healthier baking in your country, whether you’re a baker at home or a bakery owner.
Adopting healthier baking techniques and using more whole grains in your baked goods will improve your health and that of your family while also improving the quality of your life. Introduce wholegrain food into your household to encourage family members and friends to consume entire grains outside the home.
You will reap greater benefits as a bakery owner if you choose to sell healthier baked goods. This can be done by using wholegrain Flour and more nutritious ingredients. Selling more beneficial baked goods with whole grain flour, for example, sets your bakery apart. It will increase brand loyalty and awareness, which in turn will lead to positive long-term earnings for your bakery. Researchers found that the sale of products with healthy ingredients increased by 28 percent. This is a sign that people are buying more beneficial baked goods. Finally, you will be able to cater to more customers with different preferences and diets. This is a great marketing tool.
3.4 Tips for baking with wholegrain Flour
Baking with wholegrain Flour can present some challenges, including a coarser texture, which may not be to everyone’s taste, and a dryer mouthfeel because the Flour absorbs a lot more liquid. Do not let this discourage you from using whole grain in your baking!
These tips can help you take the first steps if you’re not sure where to begin.
- Allow the batter to rest before baking.
You can substitute the all-purpose Flour for wholegrain wheat flour at a ratio of 1:1 when you bake cookies, muffins, and quick bread like banana bread. Let the batter rest and sit for 10 to 15 minutes prior to baking. This will allow the Flour to absorb moisture, preventing a dry outcome.
- Add more liquid
Add extra liquid as well as wholegrain Flour, which absorbs more moisture. If the batter seems thicker after resting, add additional juice. A guideline is to add two teaspoons for each cup of wholegrain.
- Replace all-purpose Flour gradually with wholegrain wheat flour.
To avoid a dense outcome, if you’re beginning to experiment with wholegrain and don’t want to change your recipe too drastically, use 50% wholegrain and 50% all-purpose to prevent a dense result. This is an easy way to start baking healthier and allows you and your clients to get used to the new taste.
- Use orange juice as a taste enhancer.
Others may not like the richness or bitterness of wholegrain Flour. Add some orange juice to your baked goods. It is naturally sweet and acidic and will make them more appealing. Add something citrusy to your baked goods for a fresh, new taste.
3.5 Answers to frequently asked questions about wholegrain wheat flour
These tips will make your baking experience with wholegrain Flour successful. Before you begin baking with wholegrain, you should clarify any questions you might have.
Answers to some frequently asked questions regarding wwholegrainFlour.
1. How can wholegrain Flour be used?
Like all-purpose Flour, wholegrain Flour is perfect for a wide range of baked goods, from cookies to quickbread and breakfast items like waffles or pancakes. You can substitute wholegrain Flour for all-purpose Flour in recipes that call for it.
2. Does baking with wholegrain flour cause baked goods to rise more slowly?
This is because the bran and germ in wholegrain Flour make the dough heavier, which makes it less able to rise. This obstacle can easily be overcome by adding more liquid to your batter or replacing only a portion with whole grain.
3. What is the best way for me to choose wholegrain Flour?
To avoid baked goods that have a coarse texture, you may want to choose wholegrain Flour with an ultra-fine consistency. WWholegrainFlour, which is unbleached and has no added additives, can also be a good option.
4. What is the difference between plain and wholegrain Flour?
The fiber content is one of the most important differences between plain Flour and wholegrain WWholegrain. Flour contains a high amount of fiber, which is an important part of your diet. Plain Flour has a lower fiber content.
5. How much whole grains should I eat each day?
Two to three portions (about 50g each) of wholegrain food should be consumed daily. You can easily achieve this by eating wholemeal crackers and bread made with wholegrain Flour.
Prima Flour is a one-stop shop for flour products of all kinds in Singapore.
It may not be very safe to begin your healthier baking journey. Still, by incorporating these tips, like choosing wholegrain whenever possible, you are already on the road to a healthier life and more inclusive business.
Consider Prima Flour if you’re unsure where to find high-quality products. Our flour products are of consistently high quality, and we have a reputation as a reliable flour supplier with years of experience in Singapore.
We have developed different types of specialty flours for the best possible results in a variety of applications.
You can choose from a wide range of flours, including bread flour, top Flour, and wholegrain.
Our WWholegrainSuperfine WWholegrainflour is unbleached and has no added additives. It’s specially formulated for health-conscious consumers. These flours are rich in fiber and protein, making them ideal for baking bread, cookies, and buns.
Farm Brand wholegrain flour is available in larger quantities to meet your business’s needs. They are a great source of fiber and come in different textures, such as superfine or coarse, for various types of baking.
