Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Is Real Sugar Better For You Than Refined Sugar?

!±8± Is Real Sugar Better For You Than Refined Sugar?

"Is real sugar better for you than refined sugar?" There is quite a debate raging on this subject. Opinions are flying on both sides of the debate. To fully form an informed opinion, you need to know how sugar is "refined." Then you will understand the answer to the question.

Refined sugar is nearly pure sucrose that is obtained from raw sugar sources such as sugar cane and sugar beets. Sugar cane provides the bulk of refined sugar because it is the more easily grown of the two source crops. The next steps in the process will help you to answer the question "is real sugar better for you than refined sugar?"

Sugar is normally refined in two major ways: affination and carbonization. Affination involves mixing raw sugar with high fructose syrup. This liquid mixture is fed into centrifugal chambers. The liquid is spun until it separates into liquid and sugar crystals. The sugar crystals are higher in sucrose content, but have an unacceptable level of contaminants, so carbonization is then used. In carbonization, the sugar is mixed with a liquid to make a 50/50 solution. Milk of lime is then added. The milk of lime mixes with the solution and calcium carbonate is formed. The calcium carbonate attracts the contaminates and discolorants so they can be removed. In some cases phosphorus is used instead of milk of lime. Knowing that all of these chemicals are added, it is not hard to answer the question "is real sugar better for you than refined sugar?"

Real sugars are those sugars that are in their natural forms and come from fruit, grain, and vegetables. These sugars are usually not "refined" in anyway. Some of the sources of these sugars are honey, molasses, and agave. Sugar cane and sugar beets can provide this type of sugar if they have not been processed. Normally the source syrup is boiled and dried to produce sugar crystals. Some examples of this type of crystal sugar are demerara, muscovado, and turbinado. These sugars are yellowish or brown in color and tend to clump when exposed to air.

The best course of action is to only consume naturally occurring sugars in their natural forms. That is difficult to do. If you have to use added sugar, then it is obvious that real sugar is best. Answering if real sugar is better for you than refined sugar is kind of a no-brainer. Carbohydrates in their natural forms are easier for your body to digest, use, and eliminate. The chemicals added during processing and refining are harmful and should be avoided whenever possible. Consuming real sugar will lead to a more healthy and balanced diet and a healthier you. Is real sugar better for you than refined sugar? Yes, most definitely!


Is Real Sugar Better For You Than Refined Sugar?

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Sunday, December 4, 2011

Weight Loss Menus - Choosing the Best Weight Loss Meal Plan

!±8± Weight Loss Menus - Choosing the Best Weight Loss Meal Plan

Whenever you begin a program for weight loss, you have to decide the type of weight loss menus you want to follow. There are millions of diets; some quirky ones allow you only to consume a specific substance such as grapefruit, and but traditional types such as low carbohydrate diets, low fat diets or low calorie diets, tend to be the most logical choice.

Example Weight Loss Menu:

Breakfast

1 package of plain instant oatmeal (using water)
1/2 cup of skim milk
1 Tablespoon of raisins or chopped dates
1 Tablespoon muscovado (unprocessed brown sugar) or honey. (You can use stevia or xylitol as substitutes. In that case, sweeten to taste.)
1/2 cup of orange juice

Mid-Morning Snack

1 container of flavoured low calorie yoghurt

Lunch

1 cup of vegetable soup in chicken or beef broth
Sandwich made with 1 slice of bread and 6 slices of thin sliced turkey or ham and 1 slice of low calorie cheese. Top the sandwich with a slice of tomato, and a teaspoon of yellow mustard.
Water, coffee or tea (Studies show low calorie diet drinks may make you gain weight. Water is the best choice.)

Afternoon Snack

2 Stalks of celery stuffed with
1 Tbsp. Natural Creamy Peanut Butter

Supper

1/4 pound serving salmon with pepita-lime
1/2 cup steamed vegetables
1/2 cup wild rice

Dessert or Evening Snack

3/4 cup of poached fruit with meringue topping

The theory behind the traditional diets isn't magic. You simply consume less food or intake food that produces lower amounts of energy you convert to fat. If you're on a low fat diet, you still need some fat in your diet to maintain bodily functions. The same is true for a low carbohydrate diet. Low carbohydrate doesn't mean 'no carbohydrate.' Weight loss menus that are low in carbohydrates simply eliminates starchy vegetables and replaces it with fruits and vegetables abundant in nutrients but lower in carbohydrates. Of course, existing on a diet that has no calories is fasting and not recommended for any length of time.


Weight Loss Menus - Choosing the Best Weight Loss Meal Plan

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Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Nigella's Quick Christmas Cake with Chocolate & Tia Maria.

Quick, Simple & Tasty - Try it! Recipe Here... 350g - Chopped Dried Soft Prunes 250g - Raisins 25g - Currants 175ml - Honey 125ml - Tia Maria or similar favourite 2 Oranges - Zest & Juiced (I use less, 2 can make it soggy & too orangey) 1 teaspoon - Mixed Spice 2 tablespoons - Good Quality Cocoa 175g - Softened Unsalted Butter 175g - Dark Muscovado Sugar 3 - Free-Range Eggs, Beaten 150g - Plain flour 75g - Ground Almonds 1/2 teaspoon - Baking Powder 1/2 teaspoon - Baking Soda Try a square tin, it's easier to cut the slices. I've never eaten classic English Christmas cake, it looks wonderful, especially when heavily decorated, but the flavours are just too strong & almost bitter (depending on the recipe) I much prefer a sweeter treat. I've always felt that I've been missing out though, it does look so festive, then along comes Ms Lawson, with her modern, magical wand, and hey presto, I can eat Christmas cake ;-) Some people call this her chocolate Christmas cake, which it isn't really, the classic recipe doesn't have that much chocolate, but is lovely & subtle, you could add more, but be careful; I do add more Tia Maria, and let the fruit steep at least over night. I've served this at a couple of afternoon Christmas parties, with all ages in attendance, and it went down a treat, with almost nothing left at the end! The only difference is that I decorate it completely differently. Nigella's is totally impractical, and actually doesn't look that good, here's what I do... Mix ...

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