What is a good sugar substitute?

[motherto2]

Hi all. I'm hoping you can help me. I've put several pounds on in the last few years, especially since the kids and their activities are no longer a part of my evening routine . I've started with some health problems so started to lose weight and a little exercise. I'm one of those unlucky ones that has certain physical problems that precludes alot of exercises, such as neuromas in both feet that have REALLY flared up in the last 3-4 months, an elbow issue that keeps me from doing alot of lifting or pushups, and a bad back which keeps me from being able to do alot of situps on the floor, or any type of floor work. Plus I'm gluten sensitive and have an inflammation problem in my body. Sorry for the long list of my issues. So, I've been doing a lot of research on the things I need to fix, and getting off of sugar type foods (other than fruits) and aspartame is high on the list. I'd like to find a good natural sweetner to put in hot tea, etc. I don't eat any cookies, cakes, etc. very often since they need to be gluten free. I can't use splenda (sucralose) because of bad side effects.

Also, any tips you might have would be greatly appreciated! BTW, I've lost 19 pounds, and have another 20-25 I'd like to get rid of. The pup and I do take walks in the evening, but I have to be so careful of my neuromas. I actually tried the treadmill at work this afternoon, and boy, that was a bad mistake - felt like the marble was back in my right foot. Thanks!

[Jaguar]

Stevia is the sweetener in all my Health Products,

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stevia

[Artemis Windsong]

I haven't tried Truvia because of the cost. Honey might work.

Take a look at Callanetics - www.callanetics.com/ I have used to old method for years.

[Opti]

I like Truvia and it does go on sale. Also look to see if coupons are still available. I like to time a sale with a coupon. You need more honey for the same sweetening power usually. I don't think there are any calorie savings though.

[Cheesy FL-Vol]

I only put honey in my tea. One of the few organic products I insist on making sure I have on hand. The taste of the organic is worlds above the basic bottles of honey. Honey is a good source of probiotics, and other stuff:

www.benefits-of-honey.com/health-benefits-of-honey.html

I started losing weight recently by paying close attention to proper serving sizes and cutting out chips, pretzels, etc. I am not much of a soda drinker, so that wasn't an issue for me. I also started cutting my bread-type carbs to only once a day, and I don't feel so bloated anymore. I love bread, so that was a hard one.

[roselia]

What is a good sugar substitute?

Honey.

[Cheesy FL-Vol]

I drink black coffee too MM!

[Opti]

I've always drunk black coffee but prefer tea with a sweetner most of the time. MM, What kind of tea do you drink?

[thyme4change]

I second the idea of eliminating the sweetner all together. I'm not a big believer in any of the man-made sugar substitutes - I think they F***k with your body and make weight loss even harder. I don't know much about Stevia or Truvia - but I believe they are "natural." Don't be suckered in, just because it is natural doesn't mean it is good for you. (ie Poison Ivy is natural - but I wouldn't want to eat it!!!) But, after some time, you will be used to not having that sweetner in your tea, and that will likely be healthiest.

[mmhmm]

If you're diabetic and decide to start using stevia, be sure to check your blood sugar more often. Stevia can cause a drop in blood sugar that could result in hypoglycemia in some diabetics. This is especially true if you're on medication for your diabetes, including insulin. Another thing to watch is your blood pressure. Stevia causes a drop in blood pressure in some folks. If your blood pressure runs low anyway, this could be a problem.

[saveinla]

I agree with the no sugar substitute. I quit cold turkey on all sugar almost 6 months ago and everything tastes much better now and I can taste everything much better.

[motherto2]

Thanks for all of the tips. I've kind of shied away from honey because it is a sugar. I am not diabetic or have high blood pressure (yet) but I feel like I was getting the warning signs. Diabetes is very prevalent in my father's family. Mom has high blood pressure, but it's because she stresses over EVERYTHING. Thank goodness she and I are different as night and day. I totally drink my coffee black, but I have cut back how much I was drinking, because if I couldn't have it, I'd get the horrible headache. I like flavored teas, and that helps alot drinking ice tea, but mostly I'm looking for something for hot tea. I'm gluten sensitive, so I stay away from breads and all. My carbs consist of brown rice, sweet potatoes, the occassional red potato and oatmeal. (expensive gluten free of course). I generally feel so much better than I did a month ago!

[Opti]

Jun 14, 2012 17:02:16 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

If you're diabetic and decide to start using stevia, be sure to check your blood sugar more often. Stevia can cause a drop in blood sugar that could result in hypoglycemia in some diabetics. This is especially true if you're on medication for your diabetes, including insulin. Another thing to watch is your blood pressure. Stevia causes a drop in blood pressure in some folks. If your blood pressure runs low anyway, this could be a problem.

Mmhmm, I hadn't read this before. Any other cautions? My blood pressure used to tend to the low but its now in the normal range.
I seem to tolerate it well, but I use it almost exclusively for beverages.

[Cheesy FL-Vol]

Jun 14, 2012 17:32:33 GMT -5 saveinla said:

I agree with the no sugar substitute. I quit cold turkey on all sugar almost 6 months ago and everything tastes much better now and I can taste everything much better.

I did the same thing with salt. Only a few things I salt now, like popcorn and french fries!

[mmhmm]

Jun 14, 2012 18:32:40 GMT -5 Opti said:

Jun 14, 2012 17:02:16 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

If you're diabetic and decide to start using stevia, be sure to check your blood sugar more often. Stevia can cause a drop in blood sugar that could result in hypoglycemia in some diabetics. This is especially true if you're on medication for your diabetes, including insulin. Another thing to watch is your blood pressure. Stevia causes a drop in blood pressure in some folks. If your blood pressure runs low anyway, this could be a problem.

Those are the only things I can think of that can be problems, hon, and they're not problems for everyone. There might be some information on the web.

Mmhmm, I hadn't read this before. Any other cautions? My blood pressure used to tend to the low but its now in the normal range.
I seem to tolerate it well, but I use it almost exclusively for beverages.

[weltschmerz]

From what I understand sugar is sugar, whether it's agave nectar or honey or lactose or fructose. Some may be higher in trace elements, more "natural" or more refined, but your body processes glucose the same way, no matter what the source.
My advice would be to avoid the artificial sweetners and just consume less sugar in any form.
It's the same with sea salt vs processed iodized salt. There may be a slight difference in taste, texture or trace minerals, but your body can't tell the difference. It's still salt.

[femmefatale]

I like Splenda. Can't stand "bitter"...

[Jaguar]

Well mmhmm thanks for that info on Stevia, cause I have low blood pressure. What I'm currently taking doesn't have any Stevia in it.

[Deleted]

Here are my tips and something i have incorporated into my life:

!. Real Foods - I stay away from substitute anything. I see nothing wrong with natural cane sugar in moderation. I do not want to eat some chemicalized version of anything.'

Here is how I "Diet":

I think of food in terms of groups: Veggies (all you can eat), fruits (all you can eat), proteins (meat, fish, peanuts) , grains (breads, pasta, snacks, cereal) and dairy.
I try to eat as much as possible out of the Veggies and fruits group. Then, i look at getting in proten for meats, fish, eggs, nuts. I don't think we have enough protein so i try to get more of that. And, i limit the grains. Maybe a slice of bread a day. Dairy is milk, cheese, cottage cheese.

I choose foods in their more natural state. The closer it is to the way God made it, the better it is for me. So, fresh or frozen is good. I have tried to eliminate processed stuff. If i want to snack, it is better if it comes out of the frig and is fresh, real food versus something in the pantry in a bag with multiple ingredients. When i eat meat, it is grilled or baked or broiled or sauted. I don't eat deep fried. I guess it is my own version of the Mediterranean diet.
I just find that simplifying how i think about food and trying to incorporate those categories on a daily basis has really improved my diet and health.

So for me Breakfast is: Frozen fruit smoothie with milk, ice and/or any fresh fruit i have as well such as banana, orange , grapes or whatever i want to toss in the blender. If i dont' want a smoothie which is Dairy and Fruit, then i might do a Protein and grain which is an egg or sausage with a slice of whole grain bread and some juice.

Lunch: If i had bread for breakfast or grain, then for lunch i stick with salad and some cheese or meat (turkey, tuna, etc) and no bread. If i had the smoothie for Breakfast, than i might have a slice of bread with some fresh mozarella and lunch meat.

Dinner : I then tailor my dinner to what i ate for B nd L. So, dinner might be grilled meat and veggies.

I believe the key is to keep it simple and to incorporate what you really like. I find that i am really enjoying food a lot more and not just doing mindless eating.

Also, exercise is absolutely necessary. Walk, walk, walk. THere is nothing better. And, when you walk, swing your arms, do arm lifts, fist pumps, arm circles. Yeah, it might look silly but you will get a much better overall workout.

[Jaguar]

Really good tips shooby, I do what your saying. I keep it simple and drink a lot of water.

[Deleted]

Personally, i do not go on diets. I think learning a healthy overall lifestyle is key. And, i don't buy into "Low fat" and some of these other recommendations. Those who do, fine but i don't. I find nothing wrong with butter and oils and nuts. I think there is healthy fats and unhealthy processed fats like margarine and so forth. The less ingredients something has the better it is. And, something that never spoils on the shelf, is it really that good for you? Real food spoils. Little Debbie cakes are eternal. Which do you want to put into your body?
The hardest thing for me is snacking. It is easy to grab a handful of chips, cookies, a poptart or whatever. That is where the challenge is. Now it is nuts , a hard boiled egg, cheese, cottage cheese , or some thawed frozen peas. I am finding that i am really enjoying taste, texture of food much more and am making more effort to prepare healthy stuff.
And, i am not obsessive about. Yeah, there are times i still want cheesecake or cookies or a brownie. And, there are times to indulge and enjoy.

[Jaguar]

Shooby when I had my cataract surgery the meds changed my taste buds. I cannot stand processed, salted food anymore. It has to be fresh and simple. I've lost 20 lbs just with diet change. But mainly I feel better and I am healthier.

[Deleted]

That's great! I think we seem to think we need some complicated diet or it won't work. And, we often want to live in extremes. We need to make room in our life for things we really enjoy like cheesecake but realize that too much of a good thing of anything will make us sick. And, learn to enjoy exercise. I love to work out. The joy of movement. It feels great to do a good work out. And, when you do workout, give it ALL you have got. Don't just walk and go through the motions, throw your entire being and body and mind into it.

[Cheesy FL-Vol]

Jun 14, 2012 22:02:29 GMT -5 @shooby said:

Here are my tips and something i have incorporated into my life:

!. Real Foods - I stay away from substitute anything. I see nothing wrong with natural cane sugar in moderation. I do not want to eat some chemicalized version of anything.'

Here is how I "Diet":

I think of food in terms of groups: Veggies (all you can eat), fruits (all you can eat), proteins (meat, fish, peanuts) , grains (breads, pasta, snacks, cereal) and dairy.
I try to eat as much as possible out of the Veggies and fruits group. Then, i look at getting in proten for meats, fish, eggs, nuts. I don't think we have enough protein so i try to get more of that. And, i limit the grains. Maybe a slice of bread a day. Dairy is milk, cheese, cottage cheese.

I choose foods in their more natural state. The closer it is to the way God made it, the better it is for me. So, fresh or frozen is good. I have tried to eliminate processed stuff. If i want to snack, it is better if it comes out of the frig and is fresh, real food versus something in the pantry in a bag with multiple ingredients. When i eat meat, it is grilled or baked or broiled or sauted. I don't eat deep fried. I guess it is my own version of the Mediterranean diet.
I just find that simplifying how i think about food and trying to incorporate those categories on a daily basis has really improved my diet and health.

So for me Breakfast is: Frozen fruit smoothie with milk, ice and/or any fresh fruit i have as well such as banana, orange , grapes or whatever i want to toss in the blender. If i dont' want a smoothie which is Dairy and Fruit, then i might do a Protein and grain which is an egg or sausage with a slice of whole grain bread and some juice.

Lunch: If i had bread for breakfast or grain, then for lunch i stick with salad and some cheese or meat (turkey, tuna, etc) and no bread. If i had the smoothie for Breakfast, than i might have a slice of bread with some fresh mozarella and lunch meat.

Dinner : I then tailor my dinner to what i ate for B nd L. So, dinner might be grilled meat and veggies.

I believe the key is to keep it simple and to incorporate what you really like. I find that i am really enjoying food a lot more and not just doing mindless eating.

Also, exercise is absolutely necessary. Walk, walk, walk. THere is nothing better. And, when you walk, swing your arms, do arm lifts, fist pumps, arm circles. Yeah, it might look silly but you will get a much better overall workout.

You hit the nail on the head and is pretty much what I am working towards! I will add that the occasional treat is okay. In that case, moderation and paying attention to serving size is important too!

[motherto2]

All wonderful comments. I am going get some stevia so I can enjoy the occassional cup of hot tea! I have been working hard to eat things that are fresh and homegrown. Working on finding better meat. I have been also trying to not go out and eat in restaurants. It sure makes a difference!

Not, does anyone have a good salsa recipe ;D

[Artemis Windsong]

Check under recipes on the bottom of the home page list. There is an entire section for food.