Tuesday, June 28, 2016

The Half Rule


Here’s a quick rule of thumb when it comes to using sugar in recipes…..just cut the amount in half or more.  Our food today is completely overloaded with unnecessary amounts of sugar, so just start cutting it back and see how you do.
Big food companies have learned over the years that more sugar sells more product, so gradually over time, sugar consumption has been ramping up which has lead to serious health issues and an epidemic of obesity, diabetes and heart disease.
Food & Beverage companies will not willingly give up their profits in favour of consumer health so this situation will remain very political.  Soda taxes, health warnings on labels and public awareness campaigns are hotly contested but gradually the market is now shifting.  California has now been successful in introducing health warning labels on sugary drinks which begins next month. Mexico is seeing declining consumption with the introduction of their soda tax and  in the UK, Jamie Oliver has self imposed a soda tax on sugary drinks sold in his restaurants and he is using his TV documentary “Sugar Rush” to bring awareness to the health concerns associated with high sugar consumption.
It’s easier than you think to reduce sugar.  Use the half rule, substitute cream & marscapone for icing, drink almond milk (0 sugar) instead of milk (11 g sugar) and drink SIP (7g sugar) instead of soft drinks (38g sugar).
You will feel better, improve your health and reduce healthcare costs.
Good Luck,
Jennifer Martin
Food Scientist