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Just a journal full of tidbits today.
At the holiday fair I attended this past weekend, I bought some locally-harvested honey. Now, I know honey isn't exactly Atkins-friendly, but it IS a natural sweetener that is used in a lot of other WOEs. I also wonder if it might not be a better alternative than having things with artificial sweeteners and/or sugar alcohols. Not feeling strongly one way or the other on this, but just mulling it over.
Anyhoo....I learned something about honey. There are subtle differences in flavor depending on when it was harvested! Apparently, it depends on what flowers were out there at a particular time, in need of pollination. Who knew????!!! Makes perfect sense to me. I ended up buying some that was considered the least sweet (an 11 as opposed to a 2, 3 or 4) and it was still more than sweet enough for me. I know that DH will be wanting some honey on some kind of biscuit/bread/muffin, come Christmas-time, so he'll be able to have some local stuff this year. Using local honey is also supposed to help with allergies, but not sure if that's really true.
You know those "energy shot" drinks? Well, DH looked at the ingredients on one particular brand and saw that the active ingredient is primarily caffeine. But....get this.....another ingredient is niacin! Ever take a niacin supplement? On an empty stomach? Then you'll know what I mean. Regular niacin can give you a burning rush of a sensation, sometimes raising a fairly substantial red rash on your skin. That's why some supplements are labeled "no flush" as they have a different formulation so as not to create that red, burning rash. So.....if you take this "energy shot" perhaps what you end up feeling is more related to the niacin than even the caffeine.
My sister sent me an informational article about a newer dietary aid. Yes, it was touted by Dr. Oz and "tested" by him as well. But like so many things, if it seems too good to be true...... Let's just say one of the tests "supporting" this miracle dietary aid turned out to be a 2-week test, with those getting the supplement losing 2 pounds and the control group losing 1 pound. The test group lost DOUBLE the weight of the control group. Big whoop......the difference between 1 pound and 2 pounds.....and over a 2-week period. Let's face it, almost ANY change can produce those results without having to spend an arm and a leg on the cost of that dietary aid.
I realize businesses do what they need to do to market their products, but I really hate these sensational spins on products, cherry-picking statistics to make the products seem better than they are.
Meanwhile, I'm struggling with munchies later at night. No, I'm not really hungry but it seems I've lost the discipline to just NOT do it! I need to find a way to break out of this habit/rut....change my schedule....do something else....whatever. It's adding to my weight; not horribly but enough for me to notice. I CANNOT be on an upward path going into the holidays; cannot, cannot, cannot!!!!
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 Comments
Sandy I have heard that about honey as well..and Ooooooh love me some honey on a buttered biscut... haven't had that in years...Like you all the pills or gimmicks are not going to help in the long run..eating real foods and exercise is the way to go...I hate those munchy nights..
I tried drinking water to fill me up..but then I was in the bathroom all night....You can nip this in the bud girl..I know you can...:O)
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Bren, I've thought about drinking more water. Might have to do that, even if I have to get up several times during the night. Something's gotta change!
29 Oct 13 by member: Sandy701
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I am trying to program myself to stop the artificial sweeteners and savor the natural sweetness of foods. Honey has such a rich taste that a little will go a long way. Enjoy!
29 Oct 13 by member: BuffyBear
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Buffy, when I was testing the levels of sweetness, it surprised me how sweet it was....even the least sweet of all. Amazing. I guess that's progress when just a little bit seems almost over-sweet.
29 Oct 13 by member: Sandy701
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I hate the sensational spins on products too, Sandy. How annoying. What ever happened to the old fashioned way. You're right about the honey being better for you than sugar alcohols and way better for you than artificial sweeteners. I also use natural sweeteners including agave, yacon syrup and dates. Glad to see you're doing well and always accountable. You're amazing.
31 Oct 13 by member: Helewis
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Hi Sandy, I hear you on the night snacking, I am right there too. It's so stupid, why we do this to ourselves, over and over again. How is your sister doing? She was going thru some stuff and now with your mum's passing, that must be really tough for both of you. Like the sound of the natural honey and who knew about honey coming out different flavours depending on what the bees ate? Never gave it a thought before, nor on the difference between organic and whatever. Must look into that :)
31 Oct 13 by member: sarahsmum
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I have to admit, I am in a bit of a panic over the upcoming holidays too. So, about the honey...yummy stuff BTW...anyhoo, I read some time ago about how eating honey produced locally (within 50 miles of where you live) has beneficial properties that help with immunities & allergies. So, it's like good for ya even. I would love to get away from the sugar alcohols too, but I am totally scared of the carbs & possibly a total loss of the small bit of control I have left.
31 Oct 13 by member: gg-girl
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Heather....yacon syrup? A blend of yak something-or-other and bacon, maybe??? LOL!! I'll have to look that up and see what yacon is!
01 Nov 13 by member: Sandy701
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Issy, my sister is doing a WHOLE lot better. The primary doctor and her therapist are both pleased with her progress, esp. on the new drug. I, too, was worried about what would happen after Mom died. So far, so good....as far as her emotional health, that is. :)
01 Nov 13 by member: Sandy701
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I am so pleased to hear that :)
01 Nov 13 by member: sarahsmum
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GG, I really hear you on the fear of loss of control. I can't believe how narrow my own line between "gain" and "loss" is....or maybe I should say between "gain" and "maintain." I'm not totally happy walking this fine of a line, but I don't like the alternative, either.
01 Nov 13 by member: Sandy701
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Sandy701's Weight History
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