Kicking the Sugar Habit for Your Brain Health: My Mom's Best Baked Apple Recipe with No Added Sugar

This simple recipe has no added sugar and makes an excellent choice when you are craving that apple pie!

Changing your eating habits is hard work. And whether you have made big changes or little ones, your body will speak to you. Start by listening closely to recurring signals from your body and moods. These are nature's way of telling you what foods it likes and dislikes. Many people make drastic changes when they decide to detox or change their diet. Eating in extremes throws both your body and moods off balance.

Kicking the sugar habit is a tricky one. Sugar is sneaky, seductive, passionate and sentimental, and it is everywhere. If you cut sugar out completely, you are in for a great challenge. Fight back with alternatives. Bake cookies with apple juice instead of sugar or try this simple baked apple recipe. Apples are naturally sweet so try skipping the sugar and take advantage of nature's sweetness.

You know that old saying: "An apple a day, keeps the doctor away!".

This recipe comes from youth! My Mom would often bake apples for dessert. There is something so decadent about baking apples that makes it seem fancier! Baking apples unleashes all its natural sweetness. My Mom would always put the baked apple on a fancy plate and sprinkle a pinch of sugar on top. From Chez Mom's!

My Mom's Best "No Sugar Added" Baked Apple Recipe

Ingredients

You can use any apples. I love Granny Smith as they have a sweet tarte taste.

• 2 Large apples

• 1 T. roasted sunflower seeds

• 1 T. raisins

• 1/4 tsp. vanilla

• 1/4 tsp. cinnamon

• 2 tsp. water

• Olive oil/ or avocado oil

Directions

Pre-heat the oven at 375-degree F

1. Slice off and save the tops of the apples

2. With a small knife or apple corer, hollow out 1 " in the center of each apple, being careful not to poke through the bottoms.

3. Mix all the other ingredients and fill the apples. Replace the top slice of apple and bake at 375 degrees F. for 30-45 minutes until tender. For juicer apples, cover halfway through cooking.

As an alternative to baking the apples whole and stuffing them, you can slice them and layer them with the sunflower seed & raison mixture. Sprinkle with cinnamon and bake.

As an added twist you can use walnuts instead of sunflower seeds. Walnuts are high in omega 3 fatty acids, an essential fatty acid that keeps the brain functioning well.

Connect with UR Wellness

UR Wellness Neurofeedback Center provides Brain Balancing Programs including assistance with clean eating and all your brain health needs. For more information on our founder Penny Hyndman, you can visit her Profiles of Excellence or Psychology Today.