Before Maslenitsa, the doctor suggested fruits as “healthy” fillings for pancakes

“The choice of base for making pancakes depends on personal preferences for texture, taste and nutritional value - it can be milk, kefir or water.

The most satisfying option is a base made with milk or kefir, as these products are rich in protein and calcium.

Pancakes made with this base usually turn out flavorful and fluffy.

If you want less calorie and thinner texture pancakes, then it is preferable to choose water for the base.

To make a “healthier” dough, it is better to replace sugar with banana or sweet apple puree,” the expert advised.

According to her, pancakes will be healthier if you use whole grain flour instead of refined flour, classic white, or ready-made mixtures.

“It is worth noting that whole grain flour has a specific taste, so it can be mixed with refined flour in a ratio of ⅓, gradually increasing the proportion of “healthy” flour.

It is best to fry pancakes in a small amount of vegetable oil, since butter contains a lot of saturated fats, which are harmful in large quantities.

If you want a lower-calorie option, then you can fry pancakes in a non-stick frying pan without using oil,” added Evlasheva.

For “healthy” fillings of sweet pancakes, fruits and berries are suitable, as they are rich in fiber, as well as nut butter without added sugar - it contains unsaturated fats, including healthy omega-3 fatty acids, the gastroenterologist recommended.

“It is worth noting that regular consumption of nuts helps control blood pressure, reduce the level of “bad” cholesterol and reduce the risk of cardiovascular pathologies.

If you want to make your pancakes more filling, you can choose cottage cheese for the filling in combination with fruits or dried fruits, such as raisins,” said RT’s interlocutor.

In her opinion, instead of jam and honey, you can serve Greek yogurt with pancakes, for example, with the addition of berries, fruits or nuts.

“For hearty, unsweetened fillings, you can use, for example, chicken, turkey, fish, vegetables, mushrooms or cheese,” the expert emphasized.

In 2024, Maslenitsa falls on March 11-17.

Previously, a teacher at the Russian Biotechnological University (ROSBIOTECH University) Inga Belyaeva explained in a conversation with RT that almost any of the existing diets involves a complete abstinence from sweets, but chocolate can be useful for weight loss.