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• 1. Arif Salik asks - If I substitute a half-cup of sugar with a half-cup of Canderel in a plain cake recipe will it be ok?

  Yes, substituting one volume (cup or tablespoon) of sugar for the same volume of Canderel is exactly the right way to use the sweetener.  Alternatively, if you are weighing out on kitchen scales, use one tenth as much Canderel as you would sugar  – e.g. in place of 100g sugar, use 10g of Canderel.

• 2. Natasha asks - I often get bloating after I eat a normal sized meal, what could be the cause?

  If the bloating you experience is regular and causes you significant discomfort, you must talk to your GP about it.  Some possible causes include ingesting too much air whilst eating (perhaps by talking at meal times or drinking carbonated drinks), or eating too many “windy” foods such as cabbage, pulses etc. Keeping a food diary to see if there are any particular foods that cause the bloating is a good idea. Some people find that taking a daily probiotic drink or yogurt eases bloating, so this might also be worth a try

• 3. Yunus asks - Which superfoods could really boost my energy?

  Although there are many so called “superfoods”, it is your diet as a whole that matters when it comes to increasing your energy and boosting your general health. So the main thing is to eat a diet that includes 5 portions of fruit and vegetables each day, whole grains, lean proteins and low fat dairy products. Some clever snacking will also help to improve your energy and well being – try nuts, seeds, berries, dried fruit plus fruit and yogurt smoothies. Consistently eating well every day (but allowing yourself a few treats too) is the key to enjoying your diet and feeling energetic.

• 4. Bless asks - Will baked beans kick me out of ketosis

  Ketosis is the natural, biological process where the body burns excess fat and is often stimulated by the restricted intake of carbohydrates in certain diets.

  Baked beans are high in carbohydrate and so they will definitely kick you out of ketosis. Ketosis is actually a potentially serious condition that can occur in starvation, diabetes and alcoholism, but I suspect you want to be in ketosis because you are trying to follow a low calorie diet to lose weight? As a diet, it can leave you weak, fatigued and with bad breath. Carbohydrates are an important part of a healthy diet and you can lose weight perfectly adequately whilst including them.

• 5. Michelle asks – What do you need to do to ‘detox’ your body?

  Many people think they need to go to special lengths to detox, but the truth is your body is perfectly well designed to get rid of toxins all by itself. Of course to work efficiently, your kidneys, liver and skin (the bits that do the detox) can benefit from a good diet, good quality sleep and water, but beyond these important basics there is no need for you to take any special steps, herbal concoctions or supplements. Simply go for a light, healthy unprocessed diet and let your body do the rest!

• 6. Gillian asks - Does Canderel contain any caffeine?

  No, Canderel does not contain any caffeine.

• 7. Betty Trussler asks - Can I make ice cream using Canderel instead of sugar? If so, how much Canderel should I use per ounce of sugar?

  Yes, you should be able to make ice cream with Canderel. A convenient way is to measure the volume of sugar required by the recipe (which you could do in terms of amount in a measuring jug or in tablespoons) and use exactly the same volume of Canderel in its place.  Alternatively swap the weight in grams of sugar in the recipe with one-tenth the weight of Canderel – in other words if the recipe asks for 100g of sugar, use 10g Canderel.

• 8. Anoushka asks - Can you suggest some mid-morning low calorie snacks? I get really hungry around 11am!

  How about carrot and cucumber sticks with a little reduced fat hummus? Or some savoury rice cakes, a banana or a small pot of low fat yogurt? Another strategy would be having a breakfast that fills you up better. One of the very best choices according to research is poached eggs which can fill you up for many hours, perhaps negating the need for a mid morning snack at all. They are certainly worth a try!

• 9. Simon asks – Do you have any advice for speeding up metabolism?

  It’s not really possible to increase your metabolism with food (perhaps very slightly by upping your protein intake, and drinking regular cups of green tea). What will increase your metabolism however are resistance exercises which build muscle mass. This can be achieved by either lifting free weights or using the weight machines found in gyms. The reason this is so is that muscle burns more calories than fat even at rest. So the higher the proportion of lean tissue on your body the higher your metabolism will be.

• 10. Aimee Dillon asks - My nails are always breaking. Are there any foods I can eat that will make them stronger?

  Nail breakage is usually down to your nails drying out, perhaps through frequent handwashing, harsh detergents, over use of nail polishes and removers etc. But your diet may also play a role, and key nutrients for healthy nails include essential fats and protein. To ensure you get enough eat oily fish, lean meats and try including some nuts and seeds in your diet too. I hope this helps.

• 11. Richard Latham asks - What changes should I make to my diet to reduce my cholesterol?

  Being inactive and overweight can contribute to a high cholesterol level (which in turn increases your risk of heart disease), so try to burn excess fat through a combination of healthy eating and exercise. The key to lowering your cholesterol is to eat a diet that's low in saturated fats found in biscuits, cakes, pastries, red meat, hard cheese, butter and cream. Have a maximum of one or two alcoholic drinks a day as a small amount can be beneficial but too much is bad for your heart. And try eating more of these:

   Porridge- Oats are high in soluble fibre which binds to cholesterol in the gut and helps it to be excreted from the body. Swapping your normal cereal for porridge every day will help to keep your cholesterol healthy.

  Nuts – These are one of the best sources of mono and polyunsaturated fats, which actually lower cholesterol. You don’t need to cut out all fat from your diet, just cut down a little and make more of what you eat this healthy type. Any type of nut will do but it's a good idea to avoid salted nuts because they are very high in salt, which can raise blood pressure. Almonds, pistachios or walnuts would be a good choice as they contain high amounts of ‘good fats’.

• 12. Samantha asks - Is it true that certain foods can prevent wrinkles?

  I’m afraid there’s very little evidence that food has the power to actually prevent wrinkles, but diet does obviously play a role in skin health (though not as much as  sun exposure and whether you smoke). Certain antioxidant-rich veg may help – for example tomatoes rich in lycopene, may offer enhanced protection against sun burn and in turn against skin ageing. In fact, the highest chance of protection appears to be from a Mediterranean style diet with plenty of fruit, vegetables, pulses, oily fish, nuts etc. As this is healthy in many other ways too, it’s probably your best bet! 

• 13. Mel Grantham asks – Is it true that potatoes don’t count towards my ‘five a day’ fruit and veg?

  Yes it’s true that potatoes don’t count towards your 5-a-day. That’s because they are counted as part of the energy-rich starchy carbohydrate group and not a vitamin-rich veg, though potatoes are a valuable part of the diet and provide potassium and vitamin C. When you eat them it’s best not to add much fat, so go for boiled or steamed, and if you are making your own chips or roast potatoes, cut big pieces and just brush with a little olive oil or low-cal spray.

• 14. Blossom Archer asks - As a diabetic type 2, is it safe to use Canderel as a sweetener?

  Yes it’s safe to use Canderel sweetener, and in fact the product is especially suited to use by diabetics as it doesn’t raise blood sugar levels, and being lower calorie than sugar may also help in maintaining a healthy weight. Just replace sugar with Canderel granules spoon for spoon in your favourite recipes and why not try using Canderel tablets in your hot drinks? For some suggestions on recipes using Canderel, why not visit the Canderel Kitchen?

• 15. Susan asks – Is Canderel suitable to give to all of my family?

  Yes, Canderel is suitable for the whole family. However children do need calories as they are growing so it is not always recommended to use low calorie alternatives.

• 16. Kris asks - When I go to the gym in the evening, when’s the best time to eat?

  If you are going to the gym in the evening I’d advise you have a good protein and carbohydrate based lunch (like a chicken or tuna sandwich, fruit and yogurt), followed by another snack some half hour to hour before you leave for the gym.  Don’t forget to drink plenty of fluids during the afternoon too, so you are well hydrated in advance. You should refuel (i.e. eat your evening meal) within an hour or so after your exercise session is finished. Ideal meals would be carbohydrate based such as pasta, rice or bread to replace the carbs used up as energy during training.

• 17. Yvonne asks – Can I use Canderel instead of muscovado sugar?

  This very much depends on the recipe that you are using. In most baking applications Canderel suffices well, so it probably will work. However it is fair to say that muscovado sugar is very dark so Canderel probably won’t lend the same colour properties to what you are cooking. You may need to experiment with the recipe a little by including some ingredients that might compensate for not using muscavado sugar.

• 18. Isobel Simmons asks – What foods are bad for my teeth?

  Frequent consumption of sugary food is bad for your teeth, and to prevent tooth decay it’s better to only have sugary foods with a meal.  Too many refined carbohydrates such as white bread, crackers, maize savoury snacks etc may also encourage growth of bacterial plaque on teeth, so balance them with lean protein foods, fruit and veg and dairy products, and don’t forget to clean teeth thoroughly twice a day and to floss once.

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