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Oh So Sweet
September 30, 2005
To begin with, thank you to all of our readers who have been writing
to us..keep your notes coming..they are inspiration for so many show, newsletter
and magazine ideas...You're the best!
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So often when I talk with friends about being healthy or loosing weight the first
thing they say is, "I have to cut back on fat."
Well, I guess it depends on the type of fat you're cutting back on, however very
few people ever mention sugar. That white, processed fiend that puts you
in a spin...That powdery stuff that never is enough.
Trust me, sugar and I go way back...remember pixie stix candy? Who ever
invented a 24" straw filled with colored sugar should be sat down and scolded. How
dare they give "sweet" unsuspecting girls like us that much sugar at one time.
You wonder why our mothers thought we were crazy! We probably were, based on what we know
now
Of the 12 listings for Sweet in the dictionary, here are
a few that caught my eye...
Sweet: having the taste of
sugar or a substance containing or resembling sugar, as honey
or saccharin; Pleasing the senses,
agreeable; having a pleasing
disposition.
I agree that (girls like us) are pleasing to the senses and agreeable on a
daily basis, according to Webster's; but being paired with saccharin is not my
idea of Sweet.
You may know the difference between diet soda and its sugary
cousin, but your body may not be so quick to judge. When you trick your body with an
artificial sweetener, you may be disrupting Mother
Nature's way of counting calories, which according to new study findings
could lead to overeating. (International Journal of Obesity, 2004, vol. 28, no.7)
If you want to avoid artificials, try natural sweeteners that are better for
you. Here are a few suggestions:
Agave Nectar: My personal
favorite...used at least 57 times a day in my home...1Tablespoon is 60 Calories and
16g Carbs.
- The juice extracted from the agave plant (the same plant
used to make tequila) works well as a sweetener for your favorite beverage. You can use
it for baking by substituting 3/4 cup agave for 1 cup sugar--just reduce other liquid content
in recipe by 1/4 cup.
- Agave has a LOW clycemic index, but is made primarily of
fructose and may have a negative effect on insulin metabolism (always check with your doctor
when changing your diet).
Brown Rice Syrup: Much to my
surprise, 1 Tablespoon has 43 Calories and 11g Carbs.
- The syrup is derived from sprouted brown rice, has a honey-like consistency and
a mild flavor. In baking, substiture 1 1/3 cup for 1 cup white sugar--just reduce liquid
by 1/4 cup per cup syrup, and add 1/4 teaspoon baking soda.
- Brown Rice Syrup metabolizes
steadily, which helps provide consistent energy. A good suggestion for marathon
runners!
Date Sugar: For an even lower
calorie count this sweetener offers 36 Calories per Tablespoon and 9g Carbs.
- The sugar comes from ground-up dehydrated dates (Not the guy you went out with
Saturday night!). You can substitute equally for brown or white sugar in
most recipes; keep in mind this sweetener doesn't dissolve well in drinks!
- Date Sugar is very rich in
fiber (dieters take note), and it metabolizes more slowly than sugar!
Fruit Juice Concentrates: This
sweet-tooth winner for lowest counts offers only 30 Calories per Table spoon and 8g Carbs.
- This concentrate comes from cooked-down fruits...plain and simple. You can
use this alternative in the kitchen by flavoring and sweetening drinks! Your cup of tea
will never be the same.
- Fruit Juice Concentrates are extra
sweet and made of fructose; may negatively effect insulin metabolism (always check with your
doctor when it comes to major dietary changes).
Honey: Well Pooh Bear may agree that
honey is by far the most sweet of all contributing 64 Calories per Tablespoon and 17g
Carbs.
- This sticky stuff comes from the plant nectar processed by the honeybee.
If you choose to cook with honey you'll find it's excellent in recipes and in tea! Use
1/2 cup for 1 cup white sugar; reduce liquid in recipe by 1/2 cup.
- Honey is less
processed than white sugar and is readily available.
Keep in mind all of these sweeteners are FAT Free and are all natural...No
chemicals here missy!
So, next time someone says your sweet, be sure and thank them; but also let them
know you are NATURLLY sweet!
Sweet Goodbye,
Beth Aldrich
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friend.
We welcome your story or ideas for
a future FHI Connection!
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