Dr. Pat’s Healthy Recipes: More Oatmeal Cookies, Please

Today’s health tip is really all about fiber that tastes good!

Fiber is good for us because it can help lower cholesterol levels, control blood sugar and even regulate the digestive system. Increasing fiber can also improve the nutritional value of the foods we eat when we cut up an orange instead of serving orange juice and leave fruits and vegetables unpeeled (apples, potatoes, cucumbers and more). Whole grains are another nutritious and flavorful way to add fiber to our diets…

Oatmeal is a particularly tasty way to increase fiber and packs a zillion other nutritional benefits. (Who knew oatmeal was a Super Food?) Check out this impressive collection of oatmeal recipes from Blogher author Kaelyn Denny. I felt healthier just reading them!

Here is my recipe for oatmeal cookies. They have fiber from oatmeal and fruit (applesauce and raisins) and half the fat of most cookie recipes. I especially like how quickly they come together with a whisk and spatula…I don’t even have to get out the mixer!

Dr. Pat’s “More Oatmeal Cookies, Please”

1 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 egg
½ cup unsweetened applesauce
½ cup canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 ¼ cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt
2 ½ cups oats (quick or old-fashioned)
1 ¼ cups raisins*

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, whisk the sugar, egg, applesauce, oil and vanilla until blended. Combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt, and add gradually to the wet ingredients, mixing with a spatula. Once blended, mix in the raisins and oats.

Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto an ungreased baking sheet, about 2 inches apart.

Bake 7 to 9 minutes, until lightly browned on the edges. Be careful not to overbake. Cool 1 to 2 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. Store tightly covered. Makes about 3 ½ dozen.

*Try these variations: chopped dried fruit, Craisins, or even mini chocolate chips.

Here’s to guilt-free snacking!

More by Dr. Pat…