Before you @me, I have to say that I am very much NOT hating on donuts here.
But I’d be lying if I said TODAY, this box of Trader Joe’s glazed donuts were in any way as enticing as my slice of cauliflower oat bar, topped with the best glaze in the world, @cocoabarinajar iced oatmeal cookie.
Or as much as it once was say...6-12 months ago.
Stick with me a second....
They weigh approximately the same, both smell incredible and pair like magic with coffee.
But the donut is much denser, like a small, sticky brick that will leave me wanting more. And frankly I could probably eat 3 without feeling the tiniest bit full.
The oat bar is lighter, more cake-like and is much more satisfying to eat for me because not only is it more balanced in macros (hello protein), but the nutrient-dense ingredients are going to help curb my cravings, not enhance them, and feel energized because NO sugar crash later.
That sweet donut clocks in at 380 calories. I could hardly believe that when I checked (I guessed it would be around 280 before I looked - still after tracking for so many years, I underestimate just how calorie-dense the fun foods are).
The oat bar + CBJ is 225 cals, with 20g coming from protein.
So here is my takeaway...some days the donut or the cinnamon roll or the bakery cookie is the right choice for me. Some days 2 or 3 of them are. But whatever I chose has to be special and truly delicious for me to enjoy it.
Eating a glazed donut from a box by myself at 7 in the morning does not meet my criteria for what makes me feel good. (THIS is me intuitively eating - and sometimes you need to really pause to hear what you body and mind might be telling you here)
Savoring it while my kids dig through Easter basket prizes or our family rolling into the best donut shop in town on a weekend morning - now those experiences are when I’ll enjoy something like this most! (This is also me intuitively eating)
And in the meantime, no deprivation here. I can’t stress this enough - if you haven’t found ways to make nutritious food you love, check in with me! I might have a recipe for you! Drop your requests below....I probably have a recipe for that!
In the meantime...This one, very much a sister to the ‘zpo’ (zucchini pumpkin oat bars), is incredibly versatile and if you’re using the 👉right protein powder @pescience 👈works.every.time!
So take a look at the easy lineup of ingredients and let me know what you think!
Combine in any order, any way you like - whisk, spatula, mixer or even just a fork:
1 small container egg whites (mine was 460g)
1 15 oz can pumpkin
8-10 oz (precooked) riced cauliflower
120g/1.5 cups QUICK oats
50-100g @pescience snickerdoodle protein (I used 50g, use whatever flavor YOU love, code Katie saves you 15%)
3-4 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup water - use up to a cup if increasing protein powder
1-2 tsp sweet leaf stevia drops (optional - I didn’t use it bc I prefer my sweetness comes from @cocoabarinajar Iced Oatmeal Cookie!)
Use a spatula to pour thick batter into a 9x13 pan. I recommend lining with parchment paper for ease.
Bake at 350 for 45-50 minutes. It should be golden brown and not loose or eggy.
I let it cool, then divide into 6ths and store in the fridge (always because #nopreservatives ), and have one before my workout...always always topped with @cocoabarinajar (code Katie10 saves you here).
Macros for one slice:
178 calories
22 C
2 F
18P
7 Fiber
Please let me know if you give this spin on the original a try!!
For the love of veggies, do it!
