The Low Down On Sugar: Understanding Your Cravings – Part 2

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By Christie Korth, CHC AADP

Continued from Part 1 of this article…..

fruitswhiteAs far as sugar is concerned, you can easily take matters into your own hands by choosing sugars which are considered complex carbohydrates vs. refined or simple carbs. Complex carbs, like fruits, veggies, beans and grains provide long lasting energy by releasing the sugars into the body slowly. Table sugar and “white foods” are refined carbohydrates which cause the blood sugar to spike due to its rapid release in the body. Refined or simple carbs pack on the pounds and contribute to diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease, arthritis; and more. While that peanut butter and banana sandwich my look amazing for lunch, consider eating only one slice of bread and subbing the rest of the meal with an apple. Notice if you have more or less energy when you eat this way. You are certainly getting more vitamins and allowing room for more whole foods, thus preventing disease and lowering your sugar intake.

Consider checking out more natural resources for sugar…

Maple Syrup: This product consists of brown rice that has been ground and cooked, converting the starches to maltose. Brown rice syrup tastes like moderately sweet butterscotch and is quite delicious. In recipes, you may have to use up to 50% more brown rice syrup than sugar, and reduce the amount of other liquids.

Agave Nectar: A natural liquid sweetener made from the juice of the agave cactus. It is 1.4 times sweeter than refined sugar, but does not create a “sugar rush,” and is much less disturbing to the body’s blood sugar levels than white sugar.

Molasses: Organic molasses is probably the most nutritious sweetener derived from sugar cane or sugar beet, and is made by a process of clarifying and blending the extracted juices. The longer the juice is boiled, the less sweet, more nutritious, and darker the product is. Molasses imparts a very distinct flavor to food. Blackstrap molasses, the most nutritious variety, is a good source of iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium.

Dates: Dates are like natures candy and can be used to mimic caramel in snack bars when mixed with fried fruit and nuts. Dates can also be used can be used in salads, to sweeten baked goods, etc. Dates are high in minerals, particularly calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium.

Dates are like natures candy and can be used to mimic caramel in snack bars when mixed with fried fruit and nuts.

Try using one of these natural sweeteners to swap out white sugar in your next holiday or dessert recipe. All three liquid sweeteners work very well in batters, cakes, smoothies, cereals, granola, and puddings. The dates work best in cakes, smoothies and bars. Natural sweeteners allow for the best way to enjoy sweets -without the guilt! If you can simply start by trying these recipes at home, you will be surprised how quickly and easily you can be healthier and happier by eating less refined sugar. To your health!

Christie Korth is a Crohn’s disease survivor, author, certified health coach and holistic nutritionist who found her way to health and wellness after nearly succumbing to a severe case of Crohn’s disease. After harnessing the power of nutrition and gaining her health back, she then went on to be the founder and director of Happy & Healthy Wellness Counseling based just outside of NYC. She studied at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, Columbia University and the Clayton College of Natural Health and is a certified holistic health practitioner with the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. Christie is the Corporate Nutritionist for Brain Balance Achievement Centers, where she designs the nutrition protocol for franchises across the country. Christie is a nutrition expert for Dr. Oz’s Sharecare.com and frequently contributes nutrition articles to Long Island Parent Magazine. Christie is he author of The IBD Healing Plan and Recipe Book: A Guide to Releive Crohn’s and Colitis with Whole Foods. Christie lives in New York with her son, her husband, and her cat.