Healthy Way to Sweeten

Admit it. Most, if not all, of us want at least more sugar in our coffee and other drinks. Although sugar can make our food and drinks taste good, too much intake can also be detrimental to our health. The following are some healthy sugar alternatives that you can opt for.

1. Agave nectar/syrup. This is derived from a desert-dwelling plant. You can easily find this syrup at supermarkets. They are also best for tea and coffee. They also don’t have much effect on your sugar level. However, they are sweeter than sugar so you have to use less agave for your drinks.

2. Xylitol. This is a natural sweetener and is mostly in chewing gums. It’s a sugar alcohol that can be found in fibers of vegetables and fruits. Xylitol is low in glycemic index and only has a few calories which make it a good sugar substitute for those with diabetes.

3. Maple syrup is a natural sweetener that is a good alternative for refined sugar. It helps in balancing cholesterol and is rich in manganese and zinc. However, it is high in glycemic
index which can be a no-no for diabetics. There’s also the distinct maple syrup taste and flavor that limits use.

4.  Stevia. It is an ideal sugar alternative that is 300 times as sweet as the table sugar but is really low in glycemic index. It also has zero calories and may help in lowering blood sugar levels. This explains why a number of diabetics already prefer this sweetener.

5. Raw honey. Unprocessed honey is rich in amino acids, vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, and carbohydrates. Processed ones, however, are already strip of these needed nutrients. Certain types of honey like orange blossom honey and red clover honey are also low in glycemic index. Make sure that you always check and read the labels and description when shopping.

You don’t need to give up on your sweets just to lead a healthy lifestyle. Just make sure that you consume sugar-rich food moderately and you always check the sugar levels beforehand.

Top Foods That You will Expect to get Allergies

An allergy is an overdrive response of your immune system against unfamiliar invaders even if it is not a threat. Ideally, the onset of food allergies occurs during childhood and subsequently disappears as they grow. However, there are instances that adults experience allergy later in life. One theory that explains adult-onset allergy is the hygiene hypothesis. This states that living on a very hygienic environment increases your system's allergic response because it inhibits the normal function of the immune system.

There are many types of allergen such as dust, mites, latex, animal hair and medication. However, the worst type of allergy that one can have is food allergy. This does not mean that food causes severe allergic response but having food allergies prevents one from enjoying the pleasure of food. The good thing is, not all foods cause allergies. However, there are some that are known to cause allergies.

1. In this allergy food guide, peanuts top our list as the most common food that causes allergies to some. Basically, the allergen in peanut is its protein content. Pecan, pistachios, walnuts, pine nuts and other seeds such as sesame and poppy has the same protein content as peanuts.

2. Eggs rank second as the most common cause of food-related allergy because of the protein content from the white part of the egg. If you are allergic to eggs, you might also avoid mayonnaise, dairy products, milk and other foods that contain egg.

3. Sea foods and other shellfish are iodine-related allergies and are very common to adults. People who are allergic to iodine should avoid eating sea foods because they contain high levels of iodine. Furthermore, if you are to undergo any diagnostic procedure that requires the iodine dye to be injected, make sure to inform the physician immediately.

4. Soy allergy is commonly seen among young children and newborns. Make sure to read labels if you are allergic to soy because some foods like bread, pastry, canned goods and a cookie snacks contains soy flour.

5. BRROW(barely, rice, rye, oats, wheat) allergy can occur to children or adults and is associated with the gluten content of these foods. However, there are already gluten-free foods in the market for individuals who cannot tolerate gluten in their diet.

According to the experts, there are approximately over 120 types of foods that can cause allergy. However, only a few are presented to the public because some foods are uncommon or are not always served in the table.

Restaurants in Cebu City

Dining experience in Cebu is never lonely or dreary. There are a lot of different restaurants in Cebu that offer different cuisines.

If you want to try Cebuano and Filipino cuisine, then Golden Cowrie is where you should be. They have a lot in store when it comes to these dishes. This is a good restaurant when you’re with a big group, like with your friends or family.

There are a lot of restaurants in Cebu City that are offering Chinese food, so you’ll never be out of Chinese dishes here. You can try Harbor City, which is located both in Ayala and SM. There’s also Choi City in Banilad Town Center.

Go to Siam Thai Cuisine in Ayala Center Cebu when you’re craving for Thai food. They are also reasonably priced and serve dishes that are good for two or three persons. Their interior is really interesting and creative.

If you’re looking for some modern Japanese food, then head on to Red Kimono at Ayala. They specialize in creating new takes when it comes to sushi dishes, which makes dining even interesting. They also have a great and modern ambiance that will appeal to a lot of guests.

There are still more restaurants in Cebu City that you can try out. You just have to be a bit adventurous and go out of your comfort zone so you can try new things.

Food Guide: Philippine fruit, what’s in Season?

Philippine fruits are exported all over the world because of their wide range of variety that comes year round or depending on the season. If tourist wants to get to taste Philippine fruits, they need a reliable foodguide on local fruits found in the Philippines. Basically, in order to taste every Philippine fruit, one must stay in the Philippines from January to December. Another alternative is to grab some dried fruit delicacy that is commonly brought as gifts. However, nothing beats the taste of fresh fruits. For tourists planning to travel to the Philippines and taste some of the fruits that are native to the country, it is best to know what months are these fruits are abundant.