BENGALURU: A new trend has put the city in a sweet spot, literally. Riding the conscious-eating wave, Bengalureans are readily switching from calorie-high refined white sugar to alternatives like palm sugar, coconut sugar and jaggery in their cooking. According to department store Foodhall, Bengaluru ranks first in India in the value-added sugar segment. Mature markets like Mumbai and Delhi actually come after.
Jay Jhaveri, COO of Foodhall, notes that the value-added sugar segment makes a 60% contribution to the overall sugar sales and the switch is more evident and visible in the city. “Bengaluru makes the highest contribution to the valueadded sugar segment at 65%, which is 10% more than both Mumbai and Delhi. Bengaluru has recorded a significant 50-55% growth in palm sugar and coconut sugar sales over the past one year,” says Jhaveri.
Alternative sugars are not just entering the IT city’s households but also its commercial kitchens. Eateries and resto-bars are stirring these ‘clean’ sugars in cocktails, food and desserts.
The bar at Sanchez has switched to cane sugar syrup, organic honey and organic agave syrup for most of its cocktails. Priced about Rs 200 more than routine French sugar syrups, the alternative sugar syrups, may leave a dent in the pocket but the demands of the diet-friendly city need to be met, says mixologist Robert D. Hospet.
“Fitness freaks ask for alternative sugar in cocktails. Since the flavour profile gets earthier with substitute sugars, it helps us push our creative envelopes and innovate in this segment,” he adds.
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Agrees Mayur Tekwani of Laughing Llama gastropub, “People want a nutritive balance even while partying. This prompted us to take jaggery, honey, cane sugar and brown sugar from our smoothie menu to our rum-based cocktails.”
Want To Keep Diabetes Away? Eat Walnuts, Apples, Carrots
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While being active, staying hydrated, and checking blood glucose levels can work wonders, it is important to stick to a dietary plan that will ward off diabetes in the long run.
A recent study showed that antioxidant-rich walnuts can nearly halve the risk of developing Type-2 diabetes.
For patients, the ideal diabetic diet plan would be to have 1200-1600 calories per day. It is recommended that diabetics should eat good carbs, fats, and healthy proteins, but in small portions.
Doctors and dieticians share ultimate list of foods you must consume to stay healthy.
While being active, staying hydrated, and checking blood glucose levels can work wonders, it is important to stick to a dietary plan that will ward off diabetes in the long run.A recent study showed ..
Read More
After news of walnuts as you new superfood to keep diabetes away, it's time to look at the other superhero nuts and seeds. They have protective effects for people with diabetes. Flaxseeds/linseeds, almonds, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, macadamia nuts, pistachios, cashew nuts, chia seeds, etc are the best nuts and seeds for diabetics as they reduce and regulate the insulin levels in the body.
After news of walnuts as you new superfood to keep diabetes away, it's time to look at the other superhero nuts and seeds. They have protective effects for people with diabetes. Flaxseeds/linseeds, ..
Read More
They are a good source of high biological value protein. Eggs have good cholesterol, also called as High Density Lipoprotein (HDL), which is good for heart health. Studies have shown that it improves insulin sensitivity. They give satiety and improve blood sugar levels.
They are a good source of high biological value protein. Eggs have good cholesterol, also called as High Density Lipoprotein (HDL), which is good for heart health. Studies have shown that it improve..
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It has an active compound called curcumin which has shown to improve sugar, promote cardiovascular health, and protect against kidney diseases.
It has an active compound called curcumin which has shown to improve sugar, promote cardiovascular health, and protect against kidney diseases.
Salmon have excellent amount of Omega-3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA) which is good for diabetics. The patients need good fat in their diet, and fish reduce inflammation and coronary risks which are common in diabetes.
Salmon have excellent amount of Omega-3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA) which is good for diabetics. The patients need good fat in their diet, and fish reduce inflammation and coronary risks which are com..
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It improves blood sugars and blood pressure in diabetics. It's a herb with many great health benefits.
It improves blood sugars and blood pressure in diabetics. It's a herb with many great health benefits.
It's a potent antioxidant, and works like a hypoglycaemic drug. One should restrict consumption of cassia cinnamon which is poor variety and has coumarin. It is available in most grocery stores in India. If this variant is consumed in excess, it can have side effects. One should go for the Ceylon variant with less coumarin.
It's a potent antioxidant, and works like a hypoglycaemic drug. One should restrict consumption of cassia cinnamon which is poor variety and has coumarin. It is available in most grocery stores in I..
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An apple a day keeps the doctor away! Apart from being great for your overall health, the natural-sugar in the fruit has a relatively low impact on the insulin and blood sugar levels in the body.
An apple a day keeps the doctor away! Apart from being great for your overall health, the natural-sugar in the fruit has a relatively low impact on the insulin and blood sugar levels in the body.
Diabetics can opt for carrots in their daily diet despite its sweet flavour as it can help manage blood glucose levels. Carrot juice may still contain sugar and carbohydrates, it won't spike the blood sugar levels.
Diabetics can opt for carrots in their daily diet despite its sweet flavour as it can help manage blood glucose levels. Carrot juice may still contain sugar and carbohydrates, it won't spike the bloo..
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Whole tomatoes are low in carbohydrates. This fruit has minimal impact on blood sugars and is safe to consume for diabetics. Make sure you consume the fruit, and not the juice.
(Inputs from Dr Tejal Lathia, Consultant Endocrinologist, Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi - A Fortis Network Hospital; Dr Rohan Sequeira, Cardiometabolic Physician at Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre; Dr Mihir Raut, Consultant Physician & Diabetologist, Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital; Dietician Jasleen Kaur; and nutritionust Avni Kaul)
Whole tomatoes are low in carbohydrates. This fruit has minimal impact on blood sugars and is safe to consume for diabetics. Make sure you consume the fruit, and not the juice.
(Inputs from Dr Teja..
While the menu at Toast & Tonic offers many culinary cultures, it celebrates India’s biodiversity by using local jaggery. Like a brownie uses jaggery from Mandya and an ice-cream infuses Kolkata’s traditional nolen gur (or liquid jaggery).
Watering holes like Old Fashioned Bar and Byg Brewski Brewing Company too have taken to jaggery for cocktails, chutneys and even Phad Thai sauce.
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The kitchen at Mimansa has entirely done away with refined white sugar and uses jaggery, honey and coconut sugar. “Even our kitchen crew uses only honey and jaggery in their staff tea,” says founder Malika Suri.
Nutritionist Shalini Manglani notes that the trend started picking up pace in the past two years. “White sugar is empty calories which gives you energy but has no nutritional value. Powdered jaggery, palm sugar and coconut sugar are less processed,” says Manglani, yet adds a word of caution, “That is, however, no reason to double the intake of F&B made with substitute sugars. Alternative sugars are just cleaner in nature and thus easier for our system to digest.”
