Hep C Discussion Forum

I love frozen grapes. They give you the sweet, crunchy and creamy all in one bite. They are even good when I have an upset stomach.  Oh, and of course frozen bananas!

Thanks Tim,

I had viewed that Stevia information on Wiki prior to purchasing it and really didn't see anything that put up a red flag for me. But I've had an unsubstantiated fear of artificial sweeteners since my mother was diagnosed with diabetes in 1969, after which she used saccharin for many years until her death due to cancer in 1994. I see in the article that you linked, that the carcinogen warning was eventually lifted from saccharin, but I'm still skeptical of artificial sweeteners in general because of my moms cancer. But I do need to reduce my sugar intake in order to possibly help save my own life, so I'm willing to try it regardless of my fears.

Also, not to help food processing issues in my mind is the fact that I worked for many years as an industrial maintenance tech / electrician in industrial food processing facilities. I've seen some questionable practices taking place in many ways in manufacturing processes that made me just want to live off my garden and hunting game animals rather than eat anything that comes out of an industrial food processing plant. Pretty unrealistic I know, considering my circumstances. So I'm left with trying to keep mind over matter about what is on the table at meal time. Otherwise I'd starve to death. 

Isiscat2011 wrote:

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I've kind of become a sugar and sodium Nazi lately. Nobody will go grocery shopping with me because it can take me hours to read all the labels. lol

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That is ME to a T; I shall Photoshop an avatar to represent that attitude.

@Lisa, thanks for the recipe, that is simple enough for even me to do successfully.

wmlj1960 wrote:

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I am also trying to be totally rid of sugar. I've been using natural bee honey and even Lactulose. I read somewhere about Stevia, I'm thinking maybe you mentioned it Tim. Anyway, I bought "Stevia in the Raw" today at Walmart. There are only 2 ingredients - 'Dextrose', and 'Stevia Leaf Extract'. I'm a little skeptical about the 'extract' part. what's the low down with the extracting process as it relates to good liver health?

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Here's a clip from a Wikipedia article:

Extraction of sweet compounds

Rebaudioside A has the least bitterness of all the steviol glycosides in the Stevia rebaudiana plant. To produce rebaudioside A commercially, stevia plants are dried and subjected to a water extraction process. This crude extract contains about 50% rebaudioside A; its various glycoside molecules are separated via crystallization techniques, typically using ethanol or methanol as solvent. This allows the manufacturer to isolate pure rebaudioside A.^[40]

The National Research Council of Canada has patented a process for extracting sweet compounds from stevia by column extraction at temperatures from 0 to 25 °C, followed by purification by nanofiltration. A microfiltration pretreatment step is used to clarify the extract. Purification is by ultrafiltration followed by nanofiltration.

I have mixed feelings about artificial sweeteners, on one hand they allow consumption of "guilt free" treats but by that token sweetners keep the "addiction" revved-up at the synaptic level.

Article: Artificial sweeteners and the neurobiology of sugar cravings

Crysmel wrote:

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I have gone as far as cutting everything white and good out of my diet, I try to by gluten free products. I use honey or low calorie jams. I have lost 15 # and got rid of all the junk in my body. I buy no cookies, candy, ice cream, if I have them I will eat them. Fruit smoothies take care of my sugar cravings.
Crysmel

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Be careful with gluten free products, they are loaded with sugar! :) 

Yes, breakfast cereals can be a landmine of sugar!!  Plain Cheerios have only 1 gram of sugar per serving.  

Another good one is Arrowhead Mills puffed cereals.  There is puffed kamut, puffed rice, puffed corn.  No sugar or sodium and all organic.  They are harder to find but you can buy them online at Amazon or at various health food stores.  

I've kind of become a sugar and sodium Nazi lately.  Nobody will go grocery shopping with me because it can take me hours to read all the labels.  lol

Hi Tim: 

You can make almost any dessert by substituting low fat and low sugar (or no sugar) ingredients.  Of course you will have to use sugar substitutes but they are safe for diabetics.  Whatever you like there is a healthier way to prepare it and it can be just as tasty.  I make cheesecake, fruit crisps, brownies, cookies, etc. all without adding sugar or salt.  For baked goods reduced sugar applesauce can be a good substitute for oils.   

The sugar free market is really growing.  There are sugar free and low sugar ice creams, cookies, pies, puddings, you name it.  Hershey's makes sugar free chocolate chips for your cookies.  A brand called "Skinny Cow" makes a yummy low sugar ice cream sandwich with only 3 grams of sugar/140 calories.  Here is what it looks like:  

https://www.skinnycow.com/products/detail.aspx?id=25

Unfortunately, all do still contain calories.  I'm still waiting for someone to invent the perfect low fat, sugar-free, low sodium, zero calorie dessert! Wouldn't that be something.

Hey Tim,

My condolences buddy! However there are some excellent options out there and I'm sure you'll adjust to the dietary restrictions fairly quickly. My father in law was a diabetic and there are some great recipes available that can also be adjusted to incorporate a low fat restriction as well. I recommend you look at some of the fat free yogurt offerings out there. Topped with a good quality sugar free preserve or jam makes for an excellent dessert. Here's some ideas: http://www.yummly.com/recipes/fat-free-plain-yogurt. The pictures look inviting don't they? Good luck my friend, healthier days and a trimmer waistline are always a good way to start the day.

Tig