Day 381- Nutrition Bite

Corn refiners welcome FDA clarification that high fructose corn syrup can be labeled natural. The president of the Corn Refiners Association states, "High fructose corn syrup contains no artificial or synthetic ingredients or color additives and meets FDA's requirements for the use of the term 'natural'. High fructose corn syrup like table sugar and honey is natural. It is made from corn--a natural grain product. "

-pamphlet from the Corn Refiners Association

Sugar Preacher's Experience 
A friend of mine, who is a doctor, received a pamphlet published by the Corn Refiner's Association. He gave it to me to read, and I am not buying into this bogus. The Corn Refiner's Association is publishing pamphlets to protect their industry. It is all about the money. The high fructose corn syrup business is a major business. The HFCS industry is spending $30 million on an ad campaign, stating corn syrup has natural ingredients. Yes, my doctor friend along with millions of other Americans are targeted with this $30 million ad campaign!! Don't buy into the idea that HFCS is a healthy product! I also am not keen that they are advertising on my blog. NOT COOL!!!

Day 370- Nutrition Bite

Banana Bread

Ingredients:

4 Tbs. butter, softened

1/4 cup applesauce

2 eggs

2 Tbs. skim milk, or water

3/4 cup packed light brown sugar

1 cup mashed banana (2-3 medium bananas)

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Directions:

1-Beat margarine, applesauce, eggs, milk, and brown sugar in large mixer bowl until smooth. Add banana and blend at low speed; beat at high speed 1 to 2 minutes

2-Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; mix into batter. Mix in walnuts. Pour batter into greased loaf pan, 8x4x2 inches

3- Bake at 350 degree until bread is golden and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 55 to 60 minutes. Cool in pan on wire rack 10 minutes; remove from pan and cool to room temperature. 

Day 369- Nutrition Bite

Chicken Pizzaiola
Ingredients
· 100g chicken
· tomato (diced)
· 2-3 cloves minced garlic
· 1 t oregano
· 1 t basil
· 1/4 t chili powder
· black pepper

Directions
Preheat oven to 350.
Place 1/2 of the diced tomato in casserole dish.
Add meat on top of tomato and top with minced garlic.
In small bowl, toss the rest of tomato with the oregano, basil, chili powder, and black pepper. Place on top of steak.
Cover tightly with aluminum foil or with lid.
Bake 45-60 mins.

Sugar Preacher's Experience
Last night, I tried this recipe. The recipe was simple and tasty. I substituted the diced tomato for a can of tomatoes with garlic. Yum!!!

Day 368- Nutrition Bite

Take HFCS Action!
Whenever possible, avoid food products that contain HFCS and refined table sugar. This is not a magical cure for weight loss, but the preliminary research indicates that it may play a role. These foods often have little—if any—nutritional value.

• Take inventory of your refrigerator, freezer, and pantry. Start reading the fool labels. If HFCS is one of the main ingredients (which are listed in descending order on the food label), scratch it off your grocery list—permanently.
• Try to limit foods that have “sugar” as one of the first ingredients.
• Start shopping around the perimeter of your grocery store; this is where you will find the foods in their natural, unprocessed state.
• Fill your grocery cart with low fat dairy products, fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, eggs, beans, peas, lentils, nuts, seeds, whole grains, cereals and breads. Although food manufacturers may lose out on your business, your body will thank you!

http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutrition_articles.asp?id=486&page=2

Day 367- Nutrition Bite

Facts about HFCS
The interesting fact about high fructose corn syrup is that it is metabolized in a totally different way than other carbohydrates. It does not stimulate or require insulin for transportation to the cells. Since there is no need for insulin release, there is also no secretion of leptin(hormone controlling hunger). Therefore the feeling of satiety is altered—you continue to eat and possible overeat. The researchers found increased body fat in the mice that drank the fructose-sweetened water and soft drinks—even though these animals decreased the amount of calories they ate from solid foods.

Day 365- Nutrition Bite

Click to view inspirational video.

Sugar Preacher's Experience
Wow!! I just accomplished my 365-day no-sugar goal with a few blunders here and there. I feel great! This has been a wonderful learning opportunity!! I decided to continue on with the Sugar Shun blog and will be posting the 1st of each month and periodically throughout the month. I will also moderate my sugar intake from zero sweets to an occasional sweet. Thanks for your support and comments.