Zucchini is a very healthy vegetable that’s in season right now, which just may be the reason that National Zucchini Bread Day is celebrated on April 15. This tasty veggie is a favorite among those on diets or weight loss plans because it’s packed with fiber—one cup of zucchini is only 36 calories, but boasts 10% of the RDA of dietary fiber, which aids digestion, helps regulate blood sugar levels and prevents overeating. Fiber is a component that all weight loss clinics recommend increasing for having success with your diet goals and health programs.
A few other good reasons that we should make zucchini a part of our programs are the vitamins and minerals it’s loaded with—vitamins C, A, K and the B complexes, as well as manganese, potassium, calcium, zinc and iron. Potassium is essential for proper cellular function, while manganese is important for connective tissue, bones and blood circulation, in addition to fat and carbohydrate metabolism, and normal brain and nerve function.
In honor of National Zucchini Bread Day, we’re sharing a recipe that is a favorite among members of our weight loss clinics. For an extra dash of flavor, include dark chocolate chips to make this more like a dessert, or try using antioxidant-packed walnuts or raisins. If you have a recipe that works with weight loss plans and diets, please send it to us!
INGREDIENTS:
3/4 cup low-fat or skim milk
2 large eggs
3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups shredded zucchini
2 cups whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
Optional: 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips, walnuts or raisins
Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan with low-fat cooking spray.
3/4 cup low-fat or skim milk
2 large eggs
3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups shredded zucchini
2 cups whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
Optional: 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips, walnuts or raisins
Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan with low-fat cooking spray.
Whisk the milk, eggs, oil, sugar and vanilla. Stir in zucchini. Combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt in a large bowl, and then stir in the wet ingredients. Fold in the dark chocolate chips, walnuts or raisins. Pour the batter into the pan.
Bake between 50 minutes to an hour, until golden brown. Cool in the pan for 15-20 minutes, before putting it on a wire rack. Let cool for a minimum of one hour.
Per Slice: 197 calories; 7 g fat ( 1 g sat , 4 g mono ); 29 g carbohydrates; 4 g protein; 13 g sugars; 2 g fiber; 209 mg sodium; 108 mg potassium.
Per Slice: 197 calories; 7 g fat ( 1 g sat , 4 g mono ); 29 g carbohydrates; 4 g protein; 13 g sugars; 2 g fiber; 209 mg sodium; 108 mg potassium.
image: simplyrecipes.com
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