With the Christmas cookie exchanges in full swing, many will turn to the internet to look up a recipe or two that isn’t a family tradition. And if you’re wondering if your favorite Christmas cookie is the same as other Iowans, Google shared with USA TODAY a list of […]
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With the Christmas cookie exchanges in full swing, many will turn to the internet to look up a recipe or two that isn't a family tradition.
And if you're wondering if your favorite Christmas cookie is the same as other Iowans, Google shared with USA TODAY a list of uniquely searched Christmas cookies by state.
The top search for Iowa: keto cookies.
Yup. Has Iowa really become that health-focused that keto cookies are more popular than Linzer bars, glazed apple fritter cookies or even spritz cookies?
And what is the keto diet? Do you have a friend, family member or maybe you're on keto and just want to experience holiday cookie greatness? Don't worry, there's a way to make cookies that are low-carb and keto-friendly this holiday season.
As a bonus, we also have some of Iowa's favorite holiday cookies, which may help narrow down your search if you're looking up a keto-friendly recipe without needing to make modifications, buy special ingredients or count carbs.
What is keto?
A keto diet is a low-carb diet that essentially forces your body to burn fat for energy, instead of glucose, which comes from carbohydrates, according to Everyday Health. On this diet, the goal is to get into a state of "ketosis" which is a metabolic process your body uses to burn fat when there isn't enough glucose for energy.
Basically, it's a diet where only 5-10 percent of your calories come from carbs and the majority of your calorie intake comes from fat.
More:Here are 18 holiday, Christmas things to do around Des Moines from Cirque du Soleil to concerts
Can you eat cookies on keto?
Yes, just, specifically, ones that are under the daily carb limit the dieter has when added with everything else consumed in that day.
Tip: If you make keto-friendly cookies, it'll be handy for a friend or family member to know how many carbs exactly are in each cookie, so they can maintain the state of ketosis.
More:From the Dietitian: The most popular questions related to food choices and healthy eating
How can you make keto Christmas cookies?
You can find so many keto-friendly recipes online. From food blogs to websites like Buzz Feed's Tasty, you can find cookie recipes that will be low-carb so your keto-following friend or family can have some. Some will list out all the carbs as well, so you don't have to do the counting.
Otherwise, if you were planning on trying to convert a recipe (which I'd recommend trying your food experiments days in advance before accidentally being short-handed) there are ways to do so.
According to healthline, here are some of the keto-friendly flour and sweetener substitutions you can use for baking:
- Almond Flour
- Coconut Flour
- Chia Flour
- Psyllium husk powder
- Oat fiber
- Stevia
- Sucralose
- Eythritol
- Xylitol
- Monk Fruit Sweetener
Just be aware, you still have to total up your cookie's carbs to find out if it is keto-friendly. Replacing one ingredient in your favorite cookie recipe may not be enough. Perfectly Pastry based in Waterloo, IL, has a blog post detailing what needs to be replaced for keto cookies, which could make your modifications easy.
More:Oh Christmas tree: Here's where you can cut your own tree near the Des Moines metro
Not concerned about being keto-friendly? Here are Iowa's 16 favorite cookies.
While these 16 aren't the only Christmas cookies in Iowa, they were some of the most searched, listed as top cookies by state or on other lists asking for reader or blogger submissions.
- Candy Cane cookies
- Linzer Bars
- Corn cookies
- Chocolate chip cookies
- Glazed apple fritter cookies
- Gingerbread cookies
- Gum Drop cookies
- Oatmeal cookies
- Thumbprint cookies
- Spritz cookies
- Sugar cookies
- Snickerdoodles
- Peanut clusters
- Peanut butter pie cookies
- Peanut Butter Blossoms
- Peppermint sandwiches
