Let’s face it: we all indulge a little over the holidays. In addition to the occasional cookie and piece of pie, it’s hard not to sample the goodies that we make to share with friends and family. This holiday season, make the indulgence worth it and choose the highest quality ingredients possible for your baked goods.
Grains: Nothing says love like homemade baked goods — and whole grains. Studies link eating whole grains as part of a healthy diet to a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, and cancer. A whole-grain cookie is still a cookie. But compared to overly processed white flour, whole-grain flour contains more antioxidants as well as B vitamins, vitamin E, magnesium, iron, and fiber, so use it for a more nutritious base.
Eggs: Like everything else, our egg choices affect our health and the environment. Labeling can be confusing, and Sustainable Table offers a guide and glossary of egg labels and terminology to help you choose eggs that reflect socially responsible and sustainable values. It explains labels indicating how the birds were raised, what they were fed, properties of the eggs, and more.
Milk and butter: Organic dairy products are produced in harmony with nature with no antibiotics, synthetic hormones, or pesticides. They’re healthier, too. A recent study found that Organic Valley Pasture-Raised Whole Milk has more heart-healthy fatty acids than conventional whole milk. And Organic Valley produces and distributes its dairy products regionally, so when you choose its products, you support organic farmers near you.
Chocolate: Whether it’s Grandma’s famous chocolate cookies or a loaf of chocolate gingerbread, chocolate is a holiday baking staple. Just be sure to look for the Fair Trade certified label. Fair Trade certification ensures that you’re getting a quality product that’s improving the lives of farmers and communities and protecting the planet. Fair Trade farmers are given a fair price for their chocolate, and they invest Fair Trade premiums in social and business development projects like scholarships, schools, and organic certification.
Sweetener: In many parts of the country you can support your local environment and economy by purchasing local honey and maple syrup. But when a recipe requires sugar, opt for certified organic, Fair Trade. Fair Trade farmers are paid an additional premium for sugarcane that is certified organic. Fair Trade connects farmers to buyers — and consumers can rest assured that their dollars are supporting environmentally and socially sustainable farming practices.