Introduction

Until recently, most bakers and pastry chefs did not see themselves in the business of health. Baked goods and pastries were meant to be decadent, and most were made of white flour, fat, and sugar, with smaller amounts of flavorings and other ingredients.

Go back in history, though, and man’s first dessert was fruit. Even today, many cultures still use unadorned fruit to top a meal. Keep this in mind as you consider the role bakers and pastry chefs can play in advancing their customers’ health.

Today in the United States, two-thirds of Americans are classified as either overweight or obese, and this is having far-reaching effects on their health and well-being. Many diseases, including heart disease, stroke, some cancers, and diabetes, can be prevented or controlled through diet. This chapter is about how bakers and pastry chefs can provide good-tasting pastries and baked goods that meet the health needs of their customers.