Thanks to Beachfan for your portion size for SB. I have not found that in my printing of SB. Also, someone wrote (sorry I'm new at this and didn't get the name) about putting a pitcher of water in fridge etc. At most convenience stores, you can buy water Zepherhills, in 32 oz. size. I bought four for the bottles, which I refill. When I have finished two of these, I know I have my 8 glasses. Also makes it nice if you have to go to business or run errands to take with you.

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Tuesday Tip copied from Weekly Support Board


The Awesome Agave
by Lynn Stephens

Agave nectar or syrup is a terrific sweetener if you are watching the glycemic value of your foods. Want to know how to use this natural form of fructose? Here is some helpful information!

The agave (uh-gah-vay) plant has long been cultivated in hilly, semi-arid soils of Mexico. Its fleshy leaves cover the pineapple-shaped heart of the plant, which contains a sweet sticky juice. Ancient Mexicans considered the plant to be sacred. They believed the liquid from this plant purified the body and soul. When the Spaniards arrived, they took the juice from the agave and fermented it, leading to the drink we now call tequila.

But there is a more interesting use for this historic plant. Agave syrup (or nectar) is about 90% fructose. Only recently has it come in use as a sweetener. It has a low glycemic level and is a delicious and safe alternative to table sugar. Unlike the crystalline form of fructose, which is refined primarily from corn, agave syrup is fructose in its natural form. This nectar does not contain processing chemicals. Even better, because fructose is sweeter than table sugar, less is needed in your recipes. It can be most useful for people who are diabetic, have insulin resistance (Syndrome X), or are simply watching their carbohydrate intake.

Fructose has a low glycemic value. However, according to some experts, if fructose is consumed after eating a large meal that overly raises the blood sugar or with high glycemic foods, it no longer has a low glycemic value. Strangely enough, it will take on the value of the higher glycemic food. So exercise restraint, even with this wonderful sweetener. It is a good policy to eat fructose-based desserts on an empty stomach, in between meals, or with other low-glycemic foods. Use it for an occasional treat or for a light touch of sweetness in your dishes.

FYI

This sweetener is sometimes called “nectar” and sometimes called “syrup”. It is the same food.

The lighter syrup has a more neutral flavor.

In recipes, use about 25% less of this nectar than you would use of table sugar. ¾ cup of agave nectar should equal 1 cup of table sugar. For most recipes this rule works well.

When substituting this sweetener in recipes, reduce your liquid slightly, sometimes as much as 1/3 less.

Reduce your oven temperature by 25 degrees.

Agave nectar can be combined with Splenda to counter Splenda’s aftertaste.

The glycemic index of agave nectar is low.

As a food exchange, a one-teaspoon serving of agave nectar equals a free food. Two servings or two teaspoons equals ½ carbohydrate exchange.

Posted by Debelli 16th October, 2001.

Moving up!

Just moving this up!

moving up

Here's a site that can help you determine if you are an APPLE or a PEAR


Just click on the link below:



http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/health_ad...acts/apple.htm

MOVING THIS UP!

TUESDAY TIP


Found this very interesting site which I'd like to pass along for today's TUESDAY TIP Do check it out!!! There's 3 different areas of this board listed below, but on your own, you can check out others as well.


Estimate Your Daily Calorie Expenditure


Menu Analyzer

Why have I hit a plateau?

Moving up.