Can we talk about natural sugars? (Honey, maple syrup...) - Page 2

[Koalamom]

I wish we could use honey but we are allergic to it. We use molasses in baked beans and baked goods, but maily maple syrup. We prefer Grade C which is the highest in nutrients. I get it for $30 a gallon which is a good price here, but I have to buy 5 gallons to get it.

We will not use agave.

For those that use honey, isn't cooking messing with the whole purpose of getting enzymes from it?

[crunchy_mommy]

Originally Posted by Magelet

We never use agave syrup, I would prefer to use white refined cane sugar to agave, which is I've heard, worse than high fructose corn syrup, and not actually a traditional sugar. (the only traditional use is for tequila making).

Can you tell me more about this? I've been using agave occasionally for the past year or so but didn't think to look into it futher (AHHHH I FELL PREY TO THE CLAIMS ON THE BOTTLE!!! WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?!?! Lol)

[Plaid Leopard]

ahttp://www.naturalnews.com/024892_fr...od_health.htmlpparently there is a lot of fraud in the agave syrup industry, so it is possible to get an impure, unhealthy product.

I don't think that all agave products are equal, but from what I have read I do think that there are quality products out there that are what the manufacturers claim.

As with any "health food" product, once the large food corporations jump on the bandwagon, a lot of inferior products with exagerated health claims seem to flood the market.

[amcal]

Originally Posted by elleystar

I have some of that same coconut palm sugar and like it, though I've been off all sweeteners for over a month so it's just been sitting there. I wanted to ask you where you saw that it is certified? We were discussing this in another thread some time ago and never found out. It doesn't say it anywhere on the bag, or on the website that I could find. It would be a weight off my mind to finally see it for fact!

From their site:

SweetTree™ Sustainable Sweeteners is launching the world’s first certified organic Evaporated Palm Sugar. Evaporated Palm Sugar is a low glycemic, highly nutritious cane sugar alternative that provides the sustained energy your body needs for a healthy lifestyle.

..................
SweetTree™ Organic Evaporated Palm Sugars are produced from the sun-kissed sweet nectar of tropical coconut palm sugar blossoms.

http://www.bigtreefarms.com/
I'm not sure what certification you're wanting? I know someone on another thread said it was certified by some other country or some such? And, I never knew exactly what they were saying was certified? Certified that it's organic? Certified that it's coconut palm? Certified that it's from the coco nuciferous plant?

To me, the above states that it is certified to be organic Palm Sugar from the coco nuciferous plant.

[FairyRae]

There is also a lot of info 'out there' on how agave acts like HFCS in your body and is really hard on the liver. I never felt sugar highs w/ it the way I did w/ regular sugar or even maple syrup, etc, BUT the stress it could put on the liver freaked me out. I sure don't know enough about it though!!!

Here's some more info: http://www.living-foods.com/articles/agave.html

Agave Syrup is advertised as “low glycemic” and marketed towards diabetics. It is true, that agave itself is low glycemic. We have to consider why agave syrup is “low glycemic.” It is due to the unusually high concentration of fructose (90%) compared to the small amount of glucose (10%). Nowhere in nature does this ratio of fructose to glucose occur naturally. One of the next closest foods that contain almost this concentration of glucose to fructose is high fructose corn syrup used in making soda(HFCS 55), which only contains 55% fructose.

And some more reading: http://www.westonaprice.org/Agave-Ne...-the-Gods.html

Just a start--if you look up agave dangers on google (or something similar) you'll find lots of links that might counter the 'agave is a wonderful, healthy, 'raw' sweetner' idea. I'm still not totally sure which side I believe, but typically avoid it b/c I'm unsure.

HTH


ETA: A followup on the WAPF article posted above: http://www.cheeseslave.com/2008/10/0...l-good-or-bad/

[elleystar]

Originally Posted by amcal

From their site:

http://www.bigtreefarms.com/
I'm not sure what certification you're wanting? I know someone on another thread said it was certified by some other country or some such? And, I never knew exactly what they were saying was certified? Certified that it's organic? Certified that it's coconut palm? Certified that it's from the coco nuciferous plant?

To me, the above states that it is certified to be organic Palm Sugar from the coco nuciferous plant.

Ahh, ok. I wasn't worried about it being organic. The certification I mean is done by the PCA to prove that the sugar is even from the coco palm. We were discussing in this thread a while back how there is a lot of fraud in the palm sugar business as well, and the only way to know is if your coconut palm sugar has been certified by the Philippine Coconut Authority. Since the Big Tree sugar doesn't say anywhere that it is, I've always wondered. But they seem like a really legit company so I've bought it.

Now I just found at this link that they say their sugar was analyzed by PCA-TAL in 2000. I wonder if that's the same organization.

[FairyRae]

Do you know what the difference is between coconut palm sugar and regular palm sugar? I'd love to learn more....

[tanyalynn]

There's a book by Paul Bergner, The Healing Power of Minerals, Special Nutrients and Trace Elements. He's got a graph comparing select mineral content (cal, mag, iron, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper, manganese) in white sugar, honey, brown sugar, regular molasses and blackstrap molasses.

There's not a lot of difference between white sugar and honey, they're both mineral depleting, even brown sugar has more of most of the minerals he lists, and though there are a couple honey's a little better on (than brown sugar), zinc and iron, the amounts of either are dwarfed by other food products.

He says that blackstrap molasses is the only one that's a net gain, nutritionally, and it's a really nice mineral supplement (should've expected that given how unappealing I find the flavor ). Regular molasses isn't as good, but it's noticeably better than either of the sugars or the honey. He doesn't include maple syrup, but based on flavor, I'd guess the mineral content isn't great--it really does seem like really mineral-dense foods have a very strong flavor.

That said--I'm still working on reducing sugars from our diet, and I use honey in unheated sweet treat applications. It's yummy, and sometimes that's good enough for me.

[FairyRae]

Thanks Tanya. I wonder if he's talking about raw honey or heated honey. (I've just read such great things about RAW honey...in moderation of course.) I'm really working on using stevia a lot more in everything sweet I make, or just sticking w/ bananas and dates, etc. to avoid using actual sweeteners...

I think the reason I'm comfortable w/ honey (and maybe not other sweeteners) is that its GAPS/SCD and even paleo approved. Not that I totally follow any of those diets, but parts of them really resonate w/ me and I've switched in a lot of ways to a more GAPS style and paleo style diet. (Although I eat tons of tubers/starchy veggies...)

I guess I'm just looking to find a good balance for me. I've even looked into sugar alcohols (like xylitol) which just kind of freak me out... I'm glad to be able to read all these responses--very helpful!!!

[crunchy_mommy]

Originally Posted by FairyRae

There is also a lot of info 'out there' on how agave acts like HFCS in your body and is really hard on the liver. I never felt sugar highs w/ it the way I did w/ regular sugar or even maple syrup, etc, BUT the stress it could put on the liver freaked me out. I sure don't know enough about it though!!!

Thanks (and thanks to the PP too) -- I really can't believe I didn't research this more carefully first, I research EVERYTHING!!

[FairyRae]

Originally Posted by crunchy_mommy

Thanks (and thanks to the PP too) -- I really can't believe I didn't research this more carefully first, I research EVERYTHING!!

I hear you! I used it for a year or so before really looking into all that stuff and getting freaked out enough to stop using it...

[Koalamom]

Originally Posted by crunchy_mommy

Thanks (and thanks to the PP too) -- I really can't believe I didn't research this more carefully first, I research EVERYTHING!!

I wish I had learned about agave before I bought 5 gallons of the stuff. It is now sitting in storage for several years.

[tanyalynn]

Originally Posted by FairyRae

Thanks Tanya. I wonder if he's talking about raw honey or heated honey.

Minerals aren't much affected by heating, so I don't think it matters. I know there are other good things about raw honey, but from a nutrient aspect, I don't think it's a good deal. And truly, when I think about the work it would've taken in the old days to _get_ honey, well, not a normal part of the diet.

Just don't ask me how wonderfully I'm applying this knowledge, cause it ain't impressive at the moment. DD's birthday started (increased?) a cycle of sweets that I'm finding hard to break.

[FairyRae]

Ah--minerals--that totally makes sense.

Originally Posted by TanyaLopez

And truly, when I think about the work it would've taken in the old days to _get_ honey, well, not a normal part of the diet.

Just don't ask me how wonderfully I'm applying this knowledge, cause it ain't impressive at the moment.

And yes...same here. I made (grain free--but honey full) cookies a week ago 'for ds' and um...ate 3/4 of them! Then made chocolate candies (nourishing gourmet recipe) for family members (and myself--I ate enough of them while making them!!) Which started a carb/sugar binge on my end...I'm thinking after Christmas I'll get back on track...

So, I guess I DO personally notice craving more of whatever sweetner it is once I've gotten a larger amount in my diet. (And I typically do 1 tsp raw honey in a smoothie each day, which hasn't set me craving tons in general) I'm certainly having cravings right now, I'm sure b/c of the cookies and chocolate and...all that stuff.

I also wonder what cutting it ALL out (including my beloved honey) would feel like--probably good I'm sure...hmmm--I'll let you all know *if* I ever try it

[elleystar]

Originally Posted by FairyRae

Ah--minerals--that totally makes sense.





And yes...same here. I made (grain free--but honey full) cookies a week ago 'for ds' and um...ate 3/4 of them! Then made chocolate candies (nourishing gourmet recipe) for family members (and myself--I ate enough of them while making them!!) Which started a carb/sugar binge on my end...I'm thinking after Christmas I'll get back on track...

So, I guess I DO personally notice craving more of whatever sweetner it is once I've gotten a larger amount in my diet. (And I typically do 1 tsp raw honey in a smoothie each day, which hasn't set me craving tons in general) I'm certainly having cravings right now, I'm sure b/c of the cookies and chocolate and...all that stuff.

I also wonder what cutting it ALL out (including my beloved honey) would feel like--probably good I'm sure...hmmm--I'll let you all know *if* I ever try it

It feels REALLY good! I thought it would be hard too...give up my bit of raw honey each day? Noooooo!! But I never even think about it now. The last couple of days have had some small sweet indulgences thanks to the holidays and I don't feel that great. I look forward to all the tasty things I'll eat over Christmas (including the key lime pie my family just requested from me), but I REALLY look forward to next week when I can cut all the sweeteners right back out again.

[FairyRae]

Originally Posted by elleystar

It feels REALLY good! I thought it would be hard too...give up my bit of raw honey each day? Noooooo!! But I never even think about it now.

Alright, you're totally motivating me elleystar, to at least *think* about it.

Look for my upcoming post on grain/sugar free baking...(I MUST have an alternative to make for my family--which will fit my needs in case I snack on it! )

[elleystar]

Oh hehe...I still manage to bake the same things for DH and DS I always did, but not eat them myself. That's probably not easy for most to do. I'm not even sure why I'm finding it so easy myself. I expected to be tempted every time I turn around!

[FairyRae]

Originally Posted by elleystar

Oh hehe...I still manage to bake the same things for DH and DS I always did, but not eat them myself. That's probably not easy for most to do.

Yeah--that's something I've not yet learned to do!