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It is completely natural to desire something sweet. A
sweet flavor is a signal to the body that there will be an abundance of
easily-assimilated energy. With processed sugar, the body has been
tricked into feeling satisfied, when in fact, the sweetness is
completely deficient in essential vitamins, minerals, trace minerals and
enzymes which would normally be present. A chocolate bar may satisfy
hunger because of the high amount of sugar and fat, but it has created a
deficit in the nutrients the body needs to run efficiently. Hence, we
have people who are overweight, yet their bodies are starving for
nutrients.
Trying to fight your sweet tooth by eliminating sugar
from your diet is not the answer. Replacing man-made, processed, empty
calories with natural sweeteners is the solution, and we have some
practical suggestions.
Sucanat
For the sweet tooth, Sucanat is a joyous blessing from God. You can
literally have your cake and eat it too. No feelings of guilt. No
sneaking in the cookie jar. But enjoying one of the most delicious,
natural sweeteners you have ever tasted. Sucanat is organically grown,
freshly-squeezed sugar cane juice, evaporated by a special Swiss
process. In its natural state, it is highly nutritious because the
molasses is not removed. The flavor is quite extraordinary.
Brown sugar is simply white sugar with a bit of fancy
molasses to give texture and color. Everything that you use white and
brown sugar for can be replaced with Sucanat.
Sucanat in water, hot or cold, is a refreshing
beverage. A teaspoon of dried Sucanat will even remove hiccups.
Unpasteurized Honey
Raw honey has the plant enzyme amylase which is concentrated in the
pollen of flowers. It is effective in helping the predigestion of
starchy foods. Try spreading raw honey on a piece of bread and allow it
to sit for 15 minutes. The honey will immediately begin to break down
the starches in the bread. Most commercial honey has been pasteurized,
heated for up to 24 hours to prevent it from turning hard or hazy. In
1930, the German Honey Ordinance ordered that honey could not be sold
for table use unless the enzyme, amylase was intact. North America has
no such requirement. Although not as high in vitamins and minerals as
Sucanat, honey is a useful natural sweetener.
Frozen Juice Concentrates
Keep in mind that all the frozen concentrates in your supermarket
have been pasteurized. But we consider them far healthier for sweetening
a sauce or salad dressing than white sugar. Pineapple, apple and orange
concentrates are excellent for sweetening salad dressings or perking up
fresh juice combinations, making Popsicles and for baking. A tablespoon
of frozen pineapple concentrate can really liven up a fruit salad.
Dates and Raisins
Strengthen me with raisins, refresh me with apples, for I am faint with
love (Solomon 2:5). Take a handful of dates, raisins or figs and
place them in your blender with a 1/2 cup of water. Blend for 10 minutes
or until desired consistency. Out of your blender will come a caramel
pudding-like substance that is absolutely heavenly. It is hard to
believe that this natural, healthy sweetener is so good for you!. It can
be used for salad dressings, topping for fruit salad, creating healthy
desserts and baking.
Fructose
Although assimilated into the body more slowly than white sugar,
fructose has essentially the same nutritional value. Fructose is the
sugar that is primarily found in fruit. It breaks down more slowly
because it does not use insulin but is broken down by an enzyme in the
bowel. Fructose sugar looks identical to common white sugar, but is
significantly sweeter. It is a safer sugar to use for diabetics,
hyperglycemics and hypoglycemics.
Fructose is certainly more desirable than common sugar, but is still
void of nutrients. Use sparingly. |
