The big problem with sugar is that the more you eat it, the more you want it. You should also consider that sugar is not always only in the most obvious foods. That white bread you had for lunch good be the cause of your mid-day craving for a candy bar. The pasta you have for dinner could also be to blame. Every time you give into a craving, you contribute to the habit. Caving will only temporarily silence your sugar beast. It will always want more.
There isn't one single solution to this problem and your first step is being aware of its sabotaging effects. There may be times when you think you want to eat something sweet but in actuality you don't really want it. How many times have you indulged in sweets only to eat so much that you stop enjoying it? Chances are you could cut back with just a few tastes until you are satisfied. If you tell yourself "no, you can never have sugar" then you will only want sugar. You have to change your mindset to "I can have sugar, but I don't want it right now" once you allow yourself to have it you are much less likely to want it.
Each time that you start a new diet you are excited and dedicated to losing weight. You're going to be strict this time and make it through to the finish line. Then, as soon as it starts and you're momentum is going, you want sugar right this second! You cave and then get derailed. And the cycle begins. Next time, instead of feeling guilty for an occasional small treat, learn to savor the experience and you will find that just a few bites or even half of what you normally would want is all you need.
Typically cravings only last for a couple of minutes so all you have to do is wait it out. Sometimes you will have a quick craving right after eating. You should always give yourself 15 minutes before you eat anything more after a meal because it takes that long for your body to feel full. Every craving that you learn to ignore you will become stronger, instead of caving every time you will learn that they lessen over time.
Learn to talk yourself or distract yourself out of a craving. Every time you want something sweet just tell yourself "I realize that this is my body's reaction to stress or what I just ate and it will pass, I don't really want something sweet" and reward yourself everyday for not eating a sugary treat. You could give yourself a dollar a day and use that money to treat yourself with a new outfit or a pedicure at the end of the month. Save your sweet indulgences to no more than once a week and you will find that you are less likely to have cravings.
Thinking of honey as helpful for teeth may seem strange, especially since the bacteria in dental plaque, which cause tooth decay, need sugars to survive and multiply. But, according to researchers at the University of Waikato in New Zealand, honey may stop the growth of dental plaque bacteria and reduce the amount of acid that it produces. Since this acid is what causes cavities, honey may be able to combat tooth decay. So how does it work?
A potent antimicrobial agent
Honey is well-known for its antimicrobial qualities. In fact, it has been used in traditional medicine as a dressing for wounds, burns, and skin ulcers. The medical community is now rediscovering the therapeutic value of honey.
Honey's antimicrobial power comes from an enzyme that produces hydrogen peroxide, a common antiseptic agent. Unlike most antiseptics that use hydrogen peroxide, however, honey is gentler on tissue and contains anti-inflammatory agents that reduce swelling and pain. It even helps cells repair themselves.
Of course, it's important to take things in moderation. While a little honey may be beneficial, too much may still cause damage to your teeth.
Types of honey
The color and taste of honey depends on what kind of nectar the bees used to make it. The lighter honeys have better aroma and taste, but the darker honeys have a greater nutritional value. The darker the honey, the more minerals it contains, including potassium, magnesium, phosphor, and iron.
The antimicrobial capabilities of the honey also depend on the what nectar it comes from. If you want to use honey for topical wounds, you can buy medicinal honey just for that purpose. You probably won't want to eat it, however. Specially made medicinal honey is not meant to be used as food.
Cooking with honey
Honey is sweeter than sugar, so you can use less honey in a recipe than you would sugar. Ideally, you should start with a recipe that calls for honey. However, you can substitute honey for sugar; use half the amount that is called for in the recipe. For example, if the recipe calls for 1 cup of sugar, use half a cup of honey.
You may also need to make a few other adjustments when you bake with honey:
. Reduce any liquid called for by 1/4 cup for each cup of honey used. .Add 1/2 teaspoon baking soda for each cup of honey used. . Reduce the oven temperature by 25'F to prevent over-browning.
Storing honey
It's best to store honey at room temperature, in a pantry or out of direct sunlight on the kitchen counter. Refrigerating honey increases the crystallization process, in which honey becomes solid. If this happens, the honey is still usable. Simply place the jar in a warm water and stir until it liquefies again. Alternatively, place the honey jar in a microwave-safe dish, remove the lid, and microwave it slowly, stirring frequently, until the crystals dissolve. Be careful not to boil or scorch the honey.
Recipes
Honey-Orange Chicken
1 whole chicken with skin 1 orange, sliced in half 3/4 cup orange juice, fresh-squeezed if possible 1 Tbsp olive oil 1/2 cup honey 1 tsp salt 1/2 tsp pepper 1 tsp paprika
Remove the giblets and stuff the orange halves into the cavity. Place the chicken in an oiled baking pan, preferably on a rack. Mix remaining ingredients and use a pastry brush to coat the chicken with the mixture. Bake at 375 degrees for 1 hour or until the chicken is cooked through (test with a meat thermometer).
Honey and Almond Cookies
1/2 cup butter 1/4 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup honey 1 egg 1 tsp vanilla 1-1/2 cups flour 1 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/2 cup almonds
Cream the butter, sugar, honey, and egg. Add the vanilla and mix well. Mix the flour, baking powder, and baking soda in a separate bowl. Stir this mixture into the butter mixture and mix well. Stir in the almonds. Drop onto a greased cookie sheet by teaspoons. Cook in a preheated oven at 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes.
Honey Lemon Tea
1 cup tea 2 tsp honey 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
Make a cup of hot tea. If you're ill, you may want to use a good herbal tea. Stir in the honey and lemon juice until honey dissolves. This is a great way to soothe a sore throat.
Both Sarah Elena Elliott & Minh Nguyen D.d.s. are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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