It's exactly 9 nine days before Christmas! Since today is the start of Simbang Gabi, it definitely makes the Christmas day feel nearer than it already is.
I'm sure many of you are still in the process of grocery shopping and gift- buying. But have you planned your Christmas eve menu yet? Yes, that's totally another thing to consider nowadays.
In the hospital, we would always joke about how many non-communicable cases (hypertensive emergencies and urgencies, stroke, heart attacks) would be rushed to the Emergency Room a few weeks after the holiday season, making our duties more 'toxic' than it already is. All these we attribute to the unhealthy choice of foodstuffs we serve not only during this season but almost everyday.
According to the WHO, obesity now affects half a billion people in the world and it is on the rise on all age groups and particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Our additional free sugar intake is partly to blame.
Our Alternative
I was first introduced to Equal's sweetener since I was kid. My late grandfather, then, used to enjoy his favorite cup of morning coffee using Equal's low calorie sweetener.
Equal sweeteners are a low- to no-calorie alternative to your regular white or brown sugar which contains sucrose. The main sweetening agent used in their product is aspartame, otherwise known as APM (L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester). In addition, it is combined with other ingredients to give you that great sweet taste without all the calories.
It is ideal for sweetening not only your favorite hot beverages like coffee, tea and chocolate as well as cold drinks such as frappes, shakes, and smoothies. If you're fond of baking, Equal can also add flavor to your fruit pie fillings, cheesecakes and other baked products.
The Health Benefits
1. Weight management
Since it's a low- to no-calorie sweetener, it's most appealing benefit is in weight loss. If you're trying to lose weight or prevent weight gain, you can opt to switch your higher calorie
table sugar to low-calorie sweeteners.
2. Glycemic control
Equal sweeteners are also considered non-nutritive are helpful in reducing calories and post-prandial glucose increase in diabetic patients. Remember, however, that weight loss remains the important goal in the nutrition therapy of patients with diabetes and this can also be achieved with watching your diet and regular exercise.
The Acceptable Daily Intake
As with any other food or food ingredient, consuming more than what you need may have potentially harmful effects. For years, aspartame had been a controversial food additive due to the mixed evidences on its neurobehavioral and carcinogenic effects. Cross-sectional studies by the American College of Nutrition and the Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, however, have shown that the actual consumption levels of aspartame of 90% of consumers was only between the range of 2-10 mg/kg/day, way below the maximum safety level of 40 mg/kg/day. Careful consumption is the key.
For more information about the product, you may visit the following sites:
With all the excitement and the merriment this season brings, I hope we do not forget to cut on our sugar and watch what we eat. And lastly, to spread the holiday cheer!
Happy holidays, everyone!
Merry Christmas Ms. Tina! Thanks for the Christmas Giveaway! God Bless!