Healthy add-ins for cookies - Keep fussy eaters happy

Cookies can be healthy! (public domain photo)

My grand-kids love it when I make cookies. If you can't beat 'em join 'em. So you can't get your family to eat healthy food? How about hiding it a cookie? Who doesn't love cookies? You can use these same healthy add ins for cookies in other desserts too. They keep fussy eaters happy because they have no idea they're there. Some of them sound decadent, but they're actually very healthy add ins. Here's some healthy things you can add to cookie dough that fussy eaters will gobble up.

Flour Substitutes

Substitute these for half the flour in your recipe to keep fussy eaters happy and healthy. Try making your own oat flour by simply whirring oats in the blender. Those who don't like the texture of whole grains will never know it's there. You can do the same with wheat germ, corn meal and other grains. Graham flour (think graham crackers) lends an unusually sweet flavor to cookies as well. It's sold with the regular flour in most supermarkets. All these healthy add ins for cookies are far healthier than white flour. They taste great too.

Flax Seed and Other Nuts

Although adding nuts to cookies may seem obvious, many people don't realize just how healthy nuts are. They contain as much protein and Omega 3 as meat products. Flax seed is just as high in Omega power as oily fish, without the risk of ingesting mercury. So are walnuts. Got a loved one who doesn't mind nutty flavor but hates the texture? Nuts can be ground in the blender too. You can mix ground nuts with oat or graham flour as awesomely healthy add ins for cookies. Be sure to ask about nut allergies before serving.

Fruit or Veggie Puree

Just about any fruit and some vegetables can be pureed as healthy add ins for cookies. Your fussy eater will never know they are there. Mixing the fruits and veggies disguises the vegetable flavor. Carrot and banana is a wonderful combo, as is applesauce and pumpkin. Zucchini cookies are just as yummy as zucchini bread and healthy too. Now how about a healthy dose of chocolate for those fussy eaters in your family?

Dark Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

Yes, chocolate is good for you, but only certain kinds of chocolate. Skip the highly processed kind and try dark unsweetened cocoa powder as a healthy add in for cookies. You were going to sweeten those cookies anyway, right? Just blend in about a fourth cup of cocoa powder to keep fussy eaters happy and healthy. For an added health boost, substitute applesauce or bananas for part of the sugar. If you can't beat 'em, join those fussy eaters for some healthy cookies made with one of these add ins.

This post was previously published on Yahoo! by this author.