Honey Sweetens a Weight Loss Diet

When thinking of weight loss products, honey may not be something that you would consider good to add to your daily diet. Most dieters are so concentrated on limiting calories that they are inclined to avoid any type of sweetener that isn’t zero calories. Thus, honey is often left sitting in the shelf while artificial sweeteners get all the use, even though some pose potential health risks. Honey, however, can be a perfect addition as a sweetener to your weight loss diet.

Despite that fact that honey contains calories, it also contains beneficial nutrients that help to promote weight loss and good health.

The difference between sugar, high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), and something like honey is the way that it is made and how it is digested by the body. Both sugar and HFCS are mostly natural, but there is no nutritional value to them. White sugar and corn syrup are the epitome of “empty calories” – calories that offer to nutritional benefit at all. These types of sweeteners may make foods and beverages sweeter, are simple to cook with and even last longer on the shelves, but they have no real value to the body.

Honey also contains calories; however it is also rich in nutrients for your body. One of the many benefits of using honey as a sweetener is that it helps to stabilize blood sugar levels. This is of particular importance for people who are overweight and may have symptoms of pre-diabetes, such as insulin resistance. Another benefit of eating honey for people who are trying to lose weight is that it has a ratio of 1:1 fructose to glucose. What this means is that honey promotes the formation of glycogen in the body. Glycogen is not only an essential energy source for your muscles during prolonged exercise, but it helps to lower the amount of cortisol (the stress hormone) your body produces that is known to cause weight gain and other health problems (for more information, see the post “How Stress Affects Weight Loss“).

If these reasons aren’t enough to start adding honey to your daily weight loss diet, honey is also a rich source of antioxidants, phytonutrients and “friendly” bacteria. Due to these healthy components, honey has the ability to improve your immune system and help prevent some cancers and diseases.

When it comes down to health, honey is a better choice of sweetener than something artificial, even though it still has calories. Unlike other types of sugars, honey has vitamins and nutrients included. If you think about it, this makes sense. Bees make and store honey to get them through the winter. They do not rely on the calories alone, but all the nutrients that honey contains to keep them going during the long period that food is not available. These nutrients are also beneficial to people who choose honey as a sweetener when wanting good health through weight maintenance or weight loss.

If you want to add honey to your weekly menu to help you lose weight, there are a few things that are suggested. You can have a teaspoon or two in your tea or in a cup of coffee. You can also add a splash of lemon juice to honey-sweetened water, which can be a soothing drink before bed. You can also substitute honey for sugar in many recipes. Just remember, as with any type of sweetener, to eat it in moderation.

Other Related Posts and Articles You May Find Interesting: “Health Benefits of Bee Pollen“, “Stevia Sugar Substitute – A Healthy Sugar Artificial Sweetener” and “Health Effects Caused By Aspartame“.