I have numerous friends who are addicted to sugar or who are diabetic, so I am always researching ways of cooking diabetic- friendly food for them. I was once a sugarholic until I discovered diabetic chocolate and weaned myself off by kidding my body it was having real chocolate. Now I may have a few cubes of dark chocolate once a week as I no longer crave it.
Sugar is probably one of the hardest food substances I ever had to wean myself off, so here’s an alternative that may help you – Xylitol.
It looks and tastes like real sugar but contains less than 40% of the calories and is found in fibrous plants and vegetables. It has been approved as a sugar substitute in over 30 countries.
It is safe for diabetics and hypoglycaemics, it does not encourage growth of yeast – including candida albicans – and in contrast to ordinary sugar it increases the absorption of B vitamins and calcium.
Rather than chew gum that contains saccharin or aspartame, try to find it with xylitol.
In studies, tests showed a significant decrease in plaque accumulation in the mouth after chewing making it good for teeth and gum health.
In fact, scientific studies have shown it reduces plaque and cavities by up to 80% by neutralising plaque acids and inhibiting the growth of the plaque-producing bacteria responsible for causing most cavities.
It improves breath odour, reduces infections in the mouth and can relieve dryness.
Xylitol also stimulates remineralisation of tooth enamel and in clinical trials it was shown to boost the immune system. Also, in children specifically, it inhibits the growth of streptococcus pneumonia bacteria, reducing ear and sinus infections by 40%.
Xylitol can be purchased in bulk from health food stores and many people use it in their breakfast cereals and for baking. The amount you use is purely individual, so have fun with it in the kitchen.