Is a sugar-free diet possible? YES! There are a lot of natural substitutes for sugar for those who enjoy sweetness in their food and drink. Sugar is commonly found in a lot of the foods and drinks we consume on a daily basis. Take for example one can of cola – it contains 9.75 teaspoons […]
Sugar Substitutes just got Sweeter! When is the last time you checked out the label on the last thing you ate? Did you know that a gram is the equivalent of about a quarter teaspoon of sugar? So 15 grams of sugar is the equivalent of eating 3.75 teaspoons of sugar! 10 tablespoons of sugar is what you typically […]
A high-profile debate is taking place over the adverse effect of fructose sweeteners like high fructose corn syrup. On one side, the commercial sweetener industry employs fructose on a massive – and massively profitable – scale, the best example being the HFCS that’s in just about every supermarket food. The industry maintains that fructose is, essentially, no worse for you than other sugars, and they’ve enlisted the help of slick high-profile TV ads to advocate for the safety of high fructose corn syrup in a non-technical, feelgood sort of way (it’s ‘natural’, it’s ‘made from corn’, ‘real men’ don’t care, etc). On the other side are researchers and health professionals. These scientists have been searching for a way to explain the explosion in obesity and obesity harbingers like insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. This explosion more-or-less coincides with the introduction and rapid, widespread adoption of high fructose corn syrup. At this time in 2009, HFCS has already been the subject of many damaging studies, and while these researchers aren’t taking to the airwaves with their findings, the tide seems to be steadily turning against the industry as more consumers and health experts just put two-and-two together and finally steer clear of fructose sweeteners altogether.
People have used the power of foods and herbs to enhance their love lives since time immemorial. Some of these foods have more of a scientific basis for being effective (note the zinc content of oysters) than others (powdered rhino horn). But besides oysters and heart-shaped pizza, other foods and herbs can enhance your love life, too.
Recent press releases and news reports (including an AllStarHealth blog post) revealed that the controversial sweetener stevia herb was finally about to go mainstream as major soda manufacturers announced their intention to begin using a newly-approved sweetener called Trvuvia in low calorie drinks. Truvia’s manufacturer makes a big deal over the fact that it’s an herbal product, and that it’s stevia, in particular but when you look at the ingredient label
Acai is getting a lot of attention as a hot new ‘superfood’ thanks to endorsements from celebrity dermatologist Dr. Perricone, the multi-level marketing operation behind the over-hyped MonaVie, and other interests. ‘Superfood’ is a term a lot of people hadn’t ever heard until recently. But ‘superfood’ isn’t a technical or specific term, anyone can call anything a superfood. Cocoa powder, in particular organic unsweetened cocoa powder is a true superfood in every sense of the term.
Q: Dad’s health is getting worse…his weight is going up, because heart trouble keeps him from getting his usual exercise…then, yesterday they told him “You are borderline Diabetic… You need to get your diet under control…”
I know that he’s going to go looking for cheats and treats because of his sweet tooth (Which I also inherited.) Figured I’d see if you guys had some ideas of stuff that will help. For instance I was thinking about making him a tub of Blueberry Frozen Yogurt… Half Sweetend up with splenda…Thanks for any help.
Walter “Wally” Pike,
Mountain Iron, MN
A: Thanks for writing, Wally. We certainly do have a few options for you and your Dad to consider….
The average American adult consumes over 50 grams of it a day, and the average teen over 70 grams. It’s not doing anyone any good,there are plenty of alternatives, yet it’s still used in so many foods and drinks, you’ll have lots of trouble avoiding it completely. Do you know what it is?
