B]I came across this article in our Sunday newspaper that was written by Jean Carper * and I thought you might find it as interesting as I did ... I have copied it verbatim:[/B]

A SPOONFUL OF SUGAR ADVICE

We're born with a sweet tooth, but many experts say we NOW PACK in an alarming amount of sugar -- an average 320 calories a day or 16% of total calories. Want to adjust your intake? Here are athe PROS AND CONS of various sweeteners.

WHITE SUGAR (SUCROSE)

EMPTY CALORIES WITH VIRTUALLY NO NUTRIENTS.Spkes blood sugar BUT DOESN'T CAUSE DIABETES, and DIABETICS CAN SAFELY EAT MODERATE AMOUNTS. 1 teaspoon = 68 calories.

BROWN SUGAR

A SMIDGEN OF NUTRIENTS. Otherwise it has the same BODILY EFFECTS AS WHITE SUGAR. 1 teaspoon UNPACKED = 47 calories.

HONEY

SURPRISING NEW RESEARCH FINDS ANTIOXIDANTS AND PENICILLIN ANTIBIOTICS IN HONEY , giving it a HEALTH EDGE OVER PLAIN SUGAR. In one study, HONEY EVEN IMPROVED CHOLESTEROL. 1 teaspoon = 23 calories.

MOLASSES

MORE NUTRIENTS THAN OTHER SYRUPS: 1 teaspoon blackstrap molasses has 164 MILLIGRAMS OF POTASSIUM (as much as one-third of a banana) 14 milligrams MAGNESIUM, 57 milligrams CALCIUM and 16 calories per teaspoon.

HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP

ADDED TO SOFT DRINKS, IT IS LINKED TO OBESITY, ESPECIALLY IN KIDS, AND TO DIABETES say new studies. Children's consumption of soft drinks is up nearly 500% since the 1950's. AND KIDS ARE FATTER THAN EVER.

NO-CAL SUBSTITUTES

ASPARTAME (Equal, NutraSweet, NutraTaste) Used in diet sodas, bottled teas, yogurt, ice cream and cookies, and as a table sweetener. CAN GIVE SOME PEOPLE HEADACHES.

SUCRALOSE (Splenda) EXCELLENT FOR COOKING AND BAKING. APPEARS SAFE, ACCORDING TO ANIMAL TESTS AND EXPERTS.

STEVIA (A Shrub Extract)Long used in Japan, IT IS PROHIBITED HERE AS A FOOD INGREDIENT BECAUSE OF INSUFFICIENT TESTING. It's sold as a dietary supplement.

SACCGARUB (Sweet 'N Low) A table sweetener, also in a few diet colas. DESPITE GOVERNMENT APPROVAL, SOME EXPERTS SAY IT'S A POTENTIAL CARCINOGEN.

* Jean Carper is a nutrition authority.

Good stuff, Monica, thanks (I know I pack in too many sweets... :c( ...try as I might not to!) Thanks!

I was surprised to see the comment that Stevia is not available in the US since I use it. I heard about Stevia in the 90's when an alternative health care person gave me some of the herb. It was literally dried herb and she recommended I try it as a sweetener if I had blood sugar problems. Now it's available--at least where I live--in several different forms including liquid and powder. I have the powder packets. It seems less sweet than aspertame and I like that. I love the stuff in tea or coffee.





B]I came across this article in our Sunday newspaper that was written by Jean Carper * and I thought you might find it as interesting as I did ... I have copied it verbatim:[/B]

A SPOONFUL OF SUGAR ADVICE

We're born with a sweet tooth, but many experts say we NOW PACK in an alarming amount of sugar -- an average 320 calories a day or 16% of total calories. Want to adjust your intake? Here are athe PROS AND CONS of various sweeteners.

WHITE SUGAR (SUCROSE)

EMPTY CALORIES WITH VIRTUALLY NO NUTRIENTS.Spkes blood sugar BUT DOESN'T CAUSE DIABETES, and DIABETICS CAN SAFELY EAT MODERATE AMOUNTS. 1 teaspoon = 68 calories.

BROWN SUGAR

A SMIDGEN OF NUTRIENTS. Otherwise it has the same BODILY EFFECTS AS WHITE SUGAR. 1 teaspoon UNPACKED = 47 calories.

HONEY

SURPRISING NEW RESEARCH FINDS ANTIOXIDANTS AND PENICILLIN ANTIBIOTICS IN HONEY , giving it a HEALTH EDGE OVER PLAIN SUGAR. In one study, HONEY EVEN IMPROVED CHOLESTEROL. 1 teaspoon = 23 calories.

MOLASSES

MORE NUTRIENTS THAN OTHER SYRUPS: 1 teaspoon blackstrap molasses has 164 MILLIGRAMS OF POTASSIUM (as much as one-third of a banana) 14 milligrams MAGNESIUM, 57 milligrams CALCIUM and 16 calories per teaspoon.

HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP

ADDED TO SOFT DRINKS, IT IS LINKED TO OBESITY, ESPECIALLY IN KIDS, AND TO DIABETES say new studies. Children's consumption of soft drinks is up nearly 500% since the 1950's. AND KIDS ARE FATTER THAN EVER.

NO-CAL SUBSTITUTES

ASPARTAME (Equal, NutraSweet, NutraTaste) Used in diet sodas, bottled teas, yogurt, ice cream and cookies, and as a table sweetener. CAN GIVE SOME PEOPLE HEADACHES.

SUCRALOSE (Splenda) EXCELLENT FOR COOKING AND BAKING. APPEARS SAFE, ACCORDING TO ANIMAL TESTS AND EXPERTS.

STEVIA (A Shrub Extract)Long used in Japan, IT IS PROHIBITED HERE AS A FOOD INGREDIENT BECAUSE OF INSUFFICIENT TESTING. It's sold as a dietary supplement.

SACCGARUB (Sweet 'N Low) A table sweetener, also in a few diet colas. DESPITE GOVERNMENT APPROVAL, SOME EXPERTS SAY IT'S A POTENTIAL CARCINOGEN.

* Jean Carper is a nutrition authority.