Blackstrap molasses
This food is a by-product of sugar refining, containing all the nutrients from the raw sugar cane plant. It is widely accepted as a health food and low on the glycemic index so as not to raise the blood sugar level. Blackstrap molasses is a powerhouse of nutrition containing iron, potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper and chock full of the B vitamin complex. It contains a small amount of selenium, which helps fight cancer. Look for unsulfured blackstrap molasses from organic sugar. Since canned baked beans on the grocery store shelves have so much sugar and high fructose corn syrup in them, try making your own baked beans using dried beans and molasses as the sweetener. It is listed in the book, “The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth” by Johnny Bowden and listed as 1 of 3 acceptable sweeteners on the market.
Xylitol
It is a form of sugar with a long safety record and great health benefits. It is a sugar alcohol made from fibers of corn husks or birch tree bark and sometimes found in beets, oats, mushrooms, and some vegetables and fruit. It has been used in Europe and China over 20 years and considered safe. It has a glycemic index of 7 and does not trigger insulin production so is safe for diabetics. It can be used in equal amounts as sugar in recipes but is not as sweet. Some benefits are:
— Reduces cavities and gum disease; makes for strong teeth.
— Aids in mineralization of bones, helping osteoporosis.
— Inhibits bacteria that cause ear infection and sinus problems.
— Reduces unfriendly bacteria in the intestinal tract.
— Helps balance blood sugar and reduce carbohydrate cravings
It comes in 1#, 3# and 5# bags. It can be purchased in boxes of individual packets. It is also available in chewing gum and mints.
Honey
Honey, in its raw, unfiltered, unheated, unprocessed state is a good food used sparingly. It is a food containing natural antioxidants, enzymes, and amino acids—along with other nutrients. It should be hard, cloudy, and not clear. We are not talking about the kind that lines grocery store shelves in a honey bear. This kind has been pasteurized at high temperatures and loses most of the food value. Because all honey is high in fructose, it should not be used by people with health challenges such as high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.
