Page 5 - Rolling Stone May 2016

Page 5
April, 2016
Cane Sugar versus Natural Sweeteners
Dr. Julie Smith AIH Complementary Medicine
Eating “healthy” can be a challenge where sweets are con- cerned, am I right?! We all know the risks of a typical American diet her sugar intake is concerned. Diabetes, hypo/hyper- glycemia, candida overgrowth, mood swings and weight gain are just a few of the consequences. So, what are the alterna- tives? This article will focus on natural sweeteners that you can use instead of pain sugar.
1. Sugar in the Raw
What is it: Since it does not undergo bleaching and some other processing, sugar in the raw is darker in color and has a richer, more Carmel-like flavor compared to table sugar.
Is it better for you? Less processing also means it retains tiny amounts of minerals like calcium and iron, but there is less than 1 mg of either in a teaspoon. Like white sugar, that teaspoon also comes with 16 calories and both sweeteners are made by boiling and evaporating cane sugar juice to formed solid crystals. Therefore your body processes them in the same way.
2. Agave syrup
What is it: A syrup derived from the agave plant, the same one that is used to make tequila! It is about as sweet as honey, but with a slightly thinner consistency.
Is it better for you? Nutrient- wise agave does not have much to offer, and it is slightly higher in calories than white sugar with 21 calories per teaspoon. Your body also processes this liquid differently. White sugar, sucrose, is 50% fructose where as agave nectar contains about 84% fructose. Sweeteners that are high in fructose have a lower glycemic index then sucrose so it is less likely to cause blood sugar spikes. For that reason, agave is sometimes favored by diabet- ics. The downside? Fructose can only be processed by your liver. When you take in more than what the liver can handle, the extra gets turned into fat.
3. Honey
What is it: Syrup that Bees make by regurgitating flower nec- tar and letting it evaporate. That's right, it is dried bug vomit!
Is it better for you? Whether raw, (unpasteurized), or not,
Cont. on page 11, Sugar
Administrator’s Corner
By Andres Bardelas Administrator, Liberty Village of Freeport A Not-For-Profit Medicare 5-Star Rated Provider
As I write this column in mid April, I know Spring is finally here with temperatures in the 60s and those April showers are in the forecast for the next few days. I see signs of the early spring flowers (daffodils, tulips and crocus). As we look for- ward to the brilliance of the May flowers, we recall that May is a month full of commemorations.
May is designated as “Older American’s Month”, a time to cel- ebrate and recognize older Americans for their contributions to our communities and to provide them with information to help them stay healthy and active. This year’s theme – Blaze a Trail – emphasizes the ways older adults are reinventing them- selves through new work and new passions, engaging their communities, and blazing a trail of positive impact on the lives of people of all ages. The Administration for Community Living, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, encourages organizations to provide opportunities for older adults to continue being productive, active and influ- ential members of society. At Liberty Village of Freeport, we provide AJ’s Fitness Center for our campus residents to keep them “on track for good health” and for them to maintain their highest functional level and help prevent or minimize injuries. Many of our Liberty Estates and villa owners remain active by being involved in community events and blaze a trail of their own. By taking control of their lives, older Americans can live longer, healthier lives and maintain a dignified quality of life.
An important celebration at our Liberty Village location is National Nursing Home Week (May 8 – 14). Every skilled nurs- ing care center is a small, vibrant world. We are a sharing, wel- coming community that encourages everyone to interact with the wonderful folks who live with us. Once a year, always beginning on Mother’s Day, care centers nationwide take pride in publicly honoring the indomitable spirit of residents and recognizing staff who face each day with a sense of pur- pose and compassion. This year’s theme “It’s a Small World, with a Big Heart” underscores the bond between staff, older adults, and individuals receiving therapies. Our staff and resi- dents view each other in the spirit of family. For staff, this reality is often a calling to a special mission and a life’s work.
Cont. on page 7, Corner