Not So Naughty Baked Goods
Baking's uptick during COVID
From banana bread to sourdough, the precise nature of baking gained a newfound following in 2020. Sales of ingredients like baking yeast went up 250% according to Nielson data and there were even a few weeks where vanilla and cinnamon (just like toilet paper) were sparse on supermarket shelves. Why exactly did we all turn to baking? Baking requires precision, undivided attention and yields consistent results– something we could all use a little more of in 2020.
According to a study published in The Journal of Positive Psychology, there is more to it than just creating something delicious and carb filled to eat! Over 650 participants journaled their creative activities, positive or negative affect and sense of flourishing (a term used by investigators for personal growth) for 13 days. They found that positive psychological affect and growth were observed after daily creative activities took place – think baking, painting or gardening! Overall, participants felt better emotionally with an increased sense of wellbeing after such activities.
While creating baked goods can make you feel better emotionally, and certainly taste good, they can also contribute to weight gain. We recommend keeping recipes on hand that have wholesome ingredients such as oats, whole grain flours and instead of using added sugars, try recipes that use fruit purees such as bananas and apples.
3-Ingredient Banana Drop Cookie
Published December 2020
Get Some Fresh Inspiration
