Weight Fitness

Sugar Free Chocolate – A Worthy Replacement?

June 8th, 2010 at 04:02am Under Health

Whether you are diabetic and have to closely monitor your sugar intake, or if you simply want to eat less sugar as a health and weight loss benefit, trying sugar free chocolate is a step in the right direction.

Regular chocolate can contain a surprisingly high amount of sugar, but this varies drastically depending upon brand and type of chocolate (dark, white, milk). Sugar is a type of carbohydrate and whilst your body needs carbohydrates, too much can cause harm to your health and weight gain. Taking small steps to cut down on the amount of sugar you eat is a step in the right direction.

The sugar replacement in chocolate is usually compounds like mannitol, xylitol and sorbitol.

Chocolate is just one of thousands of processed foods that contain large amounts of sugar. Every source of sugar that you cut out of your diet will make a difference to your health. So why not start with chocolate?

Hershey’s now make their own Sugar Free Chocolate after consumer demand led them to research alternatives. Nearly 21 million people in the USA have diabetes so these people can now enjoy great tasting chocolate without the sugar.

Hershey’s chocolates which don’t contain sugar also contain around 20% less calories than regular chocolate – so if your goal is weight loss you are going to benefit.

You can buy sugar free chocolate online or at your local health store. Many major supermarket chains are now also stocking chocolate for diabetics as demand increases. You will notice around Easter time that sugar free chocolate eggs will become available: so you do not have to miss out on the fun and tastes of Easter simply because you can not, or don’t want to, ply your body with sugar filled chocolate.

You can find not only regular chocolate, but also sugar free dark chocolate, caramel chocolates, peanut buttercups, peppermint patties and candy.

Sugar free chocolate tastes very much like conventional chocolate. As with all chocolate, choosing the better brands will result in a nicer tasting chocolate, so make sure you try various products before forming your opinion of sugar free chocolate!

For the best in Diabetic nutrition, try Optimum Diabetics. It was made to replace the nutrients you may be missing. And now you can get it FREE.

By Paul Add comment

Diabetes Diet – Control That Sugar Now!

March 6th, 2010 at 12:17am Under Uncategorized

If you have diabetes then you know just how closely you have to scrutinize what you eat everyday. A diabetes diet is all about glucose control. Whilst there is no one specified diet for diabetics but you can easily stick to a safe and healthy eating plan by learning about the foods that are ok to eat all the time, those that are fine in moderation and the foods or food types that you should avoid.

Your blood sugar levels are greatly influenced by what you eat and how much you eat. Diabetics should avoid eating large meals. Instead, eat regular smaller meals all day. 5 small meals per day are better than 3 large ones.

Carbohydrate intake is a particular focal point for a diabetes diet. You will want to minimize intake of simple carbohydrates. These include white breads, white rice and other white grains. These grains have had the wholesome part taken from them (for what reason is hard to tell, since wholegrain tastes so much better!). Not only do complex carbs benefit your health, but they also taste better and provide a fuller meal for you. You will always feel fuller if your carbohydrate intake consists of complex carbohydrates instead of simple carbs. This advice applies to all people, not just diabetics but is particularly important for diabetics.

Vegetables are your best friend when you have diabetes. You can eat them as much as you like: preferably everyday.

As you should know, sugar and sweets must be minimized when you are diabetic. You don’t have to give them up altogether; but you certainly need to monitor your intake. Eating sweets once per week is probably the maximum that you should aim for however this will depend upon the type of diabetes you have, the severity of it and other factors. Opt to try a sugar free version of your favorite desserts.

If you are a smoker and have been diagnosed with diabetes your doctor will tell you to give up smoking because smoking can make your diabetes symptoms much more severe.

Always speak to your doctor about your diabetes diet before trying anything new or if you are unsure whether particular foods are right for you.

By Paul

Diabetic Diet – Top 10 Tips

December 4th, 2009 at 11:05am Under Health

By adding these top 10 diabetic diet tips to your daily eating habits, you can live a healthier and happier lifestyle starting today.

The number of people living with diabetes numbers in the millions and is only projected to grow larger. This disease contributes to many deaths, but it doesn’t have to be this way.

People get diabetes for many reasons, including heredity. If it runs in our family, we are at an increased risk. However, public enemy number 1 is our eating habits.

Actually, the way we eat can pave the way to many other health related issues, such as cholesterol along with a host of others.

If you have diabetes, you need a different diet than one geared to just loosing weight. You need a diabetic diet. One that keeps your blood sugar levels under control.

Top 10 Tips

• Daily recommended amounts of carbohydrates – whole grains, vegetables, low fat milk, and fruits should be eaten every day.

• Sugar must be  eaten  very carefully. Many doctors say to add it in controlled amounts while on an insulin  or other blood sugar stabilizing medication

• Reduce excess fats and cholesterol. Cholesterol consumption should be around 200 mg. per day but should be kept under 300 mg. per day.

• Even though this is a diabetic diet, you will still need to keep your weight under control. Strive for a balanced diet to maintain a healthy weight. Obesity is a major cause of diabetes.
• Eat on a regular time schedule. Your body needs to keep your blood sugar levels consistent.  You shouldn’t go too long between meals.

• Drink diet soft drinks instead of regular. The latter form has way too much sugar in it.
• Everyone loves desserts like ice cream, cakes, and pies, but for a diabetic, these items can spell T-R-O-U-B-L-E. This is not to say that you can’t have your cake and eat it too, (sorry, I couldn’t resist this one.) Simply eat less that normal, but still within your recommended guidelines. Or, even better, opt for a sugarless verity.
• Eat less in the evenings and at night. Here is where many people mess up on their diabetic diet. You see, as we go about our daily business, we sometimes miss a meal since we are busily doing other things. We tend to try and make it up latter. That’s a big No-No.
• Get food ready ahead of time. Management is key in controlling this disease. Prepare and plan as much as you can, make a menu and stick to it, take food to work or even in the car if you know you won’t have access to what you should eat when you need it.
• Get your body moving. Exercise is an important part of your plan. It doesn’t need to be a great big go to the gym thing either. A simple, daily walk does wonders for you and has long term effects.

There’s a lot of other things to help in your diabetes management. Try to put one into action at a time and go from there. If something doesn’t work for you, simply move on to something else.

In our daily lives we don’t always eat a balanced diet. Optimum Diabetics Health Supplement replaces essential nutrients that  you might be missing because of  the strain diabetes places on your body. And now you can try it absolutely FREE.

By Paul