A Sweet Ending That Supports Gut Health and Reduces Inflammation.
This wholesome dessert skips refined sugar and uses the natural sweetness of apples and honey. Packed with fiber, antioxidants, and healthy fats, it’s a comforting way to end your Thanksgiving meal — without the sugar crash. At Functional Medicine Los Angeles, we follow principles recommended by functional medicine Burbank, emphasizing whole-food solutions that support digestive and overall health.
🍎 Ingredients
- 4 medium apples (Honeycrisp or Fuji work best)
- 2 tbsp chopped walnuts (or pecans)
- 1 tbsp raw honey or pure maple syrup
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg (optional)
- 1 tsp coconut oil or ghee
- ½ cup Greek yogurt or coconut yogurt (for drizzle)
- 1 tsp honey (to mix with yogurt)
- Pinch of sea salt
🔥 Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Core the apples and place them in a small baking dish.
- In a bowl, mix walnuts, cinnamon, nutmeg, honey, coconut oil, and salt.
- Spoon the mixture into the center of each apple.
- Add a splash of water to the baking dish (about ¼ cup) to keep the apples moist.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes or until apples are tender but still hold their shape.
- While baking, mix yogurt with 1 tsp honey.
- Serve warm and drizzle with honey-yogurt topping before enjoying.
💪 Functional Benefits
- Apples: rich in quercetin and fiber that support digestion and reduce inflammation.
- Walnuts: provide omega-3 fatty acids that calm inflammatory pathways.
- Greek yogurt: adds probiotics for gut and immune health.
- Cinnamon:helps regulate blood sugar levels naturally.
For those in nearby communities, functional medicine Studio City emphasizes incorporating nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory foods like this dessert into daily routines to naturally support digestion and immune health.
🩺 Functional Tip: For a dairy-free version, use coconut yogurt or skip the drizzle and serve with warm oat milk instead. and reduce inflammation.