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Expert Q&A
Would you like to find out which super foods could really boost your energy or how you could fight the afternoon slump? Drop Angela your questions today and join us again soon for the answers!
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Your Questions Answered...-
1. Caroline Archer asks: Does Canderel have an affect on iron levels?
No, Canderel does not have an effect on the body’s iron levels and you can happily consume it without any concerns, even if you are anaemic.
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2. Prosper Afeeva asks: Can eating too much sweetener have an impact on diabetes?
No, there is no known impact for people with diabetes from consuming Canderel, except a positive one. Replacing sugar for sweetener in sweet foods means you don’t get as many unhealthy and unhelpful fluctuations in blood sugar, which can make your diabetes easier to manage. Try to vary your diet and eat plenty of fruits and vegetables together with moderate portions of slow releasing carbohydrates (pulses, grainy breads, porridge etc.), some lean protein and low fat dairy products. Try not to eat too many high fat foods, especially those high in saturated fat.
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3. John Kybett asks: Is it possible to use Canderel to make Marmalade?
No unfortunately it is not, as the prolonged and intense heating involved in jam and marmalade making means Canderel is not suitable for making preserves - though it is okay for making cakes and other sweet treats!
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4. Phil asks: Is it safe for type 2 diabetics to use both tablets and granules?
Yes it’s perfectly safe for someone with type 2 diabetes to use both types. Basically you should just use the form which you prefer and is most relevant to the use to which you are putting it.
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5. Dawn Richards asks: Can I give Canderel to a 1 year old child on his cereals?
It is important that children have ample calories for rapid growth. For this reason, Canderel is not intended for infants and very young children. For older children, parents should supervise consumption of all foods - to ensure children are eating a balanced diet. If your child is overweight check with your GP for specific advice.
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6. Neelam asks: What is the difference between normal sugar and Canderel granular? The calorific content by weight is the same?
Canderel granular is an intense sweetener which is many many times sweeter than sugar but not chemically the same. Both have 4 calories per gram, but the weight of Canderel needed to produce a sweet taste is so tiny that its calorie contribution is negligible. When replacing for sugar use it spoon for spoon, or when weighing divide your sugar quantity by 10, as Canderel is so light
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7. Patricia O’Callaghan asks: Foods that are high in additives give me a migraine. What foods are best for me to stick to? Sometimes I long for a piece of chocolate or a cream bun.
I think maybe it would be useful for you to keep a food diary to see what foods, if any, really do seem to trigger migraines. Sometimes food is a causative factor and sometimes it isn’t, but the idea that all foods with additives in it cause you a problem is a bit unlikely. Some people have a problem with tyramines in red wine, really ripe cheeses, soy sauce, salami, Marmite and food flavoured with monosodium glutamate for example, or they may have a problem with caffeine, or alcohol. But the odd square of chocolate or cream bun wouldn’t normally cause a problem for most migraine sufferers. Just eating a healthier diet in general may help, and talk to your GP too, because if you are cutting out some of your foods unnecessarily that would be a shame. If your migraines are very bad you may be advised to try an exclusion diet with the help of a dietician. But the simpler steps of keeping a food diary, eating healthy regular meals and getting enough sleep may help. There’s no evidence that Canderel is linked with migraines.
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8. Stan Jessop asks: As a diabetic with a variety of health issues, what are the best foods? I’m looking for a list of foods that are safe and good for me.
A diabetic diet is actually just a healthy balanced diet, so on your healthy foods list should be fruits and vegetables, wholewheat pasta, brown rice, pulses, fish, lean meat and poultry, eggs and skimmed or semi skimmed milk and low fat yogurt. Your aim is to keep blood sugar levels as stable as possible, so you may want to eat little and often and if you fancy something sugary to eat, make it a small portion and after a meal rather than on an empty stomach. Alternatively, swap sugar for Canderel in sweet treats to prevent them from interfering with your blood sugar levels too much. The Canderel Kitchen has plenty of sweet treats that are suitable. You might want to go to www.diabetes.org.uk for more information.
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9. heila Willis asks: How healthy is a Mediterranean diet?
A Mediterranean diet can be very healthy, and indeed is often held up as a model way to eat, with good reason. The key features of a Mediterranean diet are plenty of fish including oily fish, loads of brightly coloured fruits and vegetables, pulses and whole grains, together with olive oil, lean meat and small amounts of dairy products.
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10. Patricia O’Callaghan asks: What foods can I eat to avoid getting tired? I often have a drop in energy at some point during the day.
Getting a drop in energy during the afternoon is particularly common but eating a high protein lunch combined with some slow releasing carbohydrates (for example a tuna sandwich on grainy bread) will help to offset this, as will having a cup of coffee or other caffeinated drink at lunch time. If you’re always getting tired it would also be worth getting your GP to check out your iron levels - it’s possible you are anaemic. To get iron, eat lean red meat, eggs, sardines, figs, cashews, pulses, whole grains and dark green vegetables. Eat little and often, basing meals around carbohydrate foods like pasta, potatoes, bread and rice and don’t forget to pack in the fruit and vegetables (at least 5 portions a day) too.
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11. Bernie McWilliams asks: I was just wondering if it safe to use Canderel while pregnant? I am 18 weeks and have been using it all along and now have read somewhere that it is not safe to use?
You have no need to worry - Canderel is safe to use during pregnancy and breast-feeding, so please carry on using it without worrying.
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12. Cliff asks: My dentist has told me to cut out all sugar. Is Canderel a safe substitute or am I just going to have to take the loss?
Canderel is a safe substitute that won’t harm your teeth. But do be aware that it’s not just sugar that can harm your teeth - acidic foods including diet fizzy drinks, fruit juices and even some yogurts can be bad for your teeth. It is unrealistic to cut out all foods that harm teeth altogether - so mitigate against the damage by cleaning with fluoride toothpaste and flossing regularly. Eating a small cube of cheese after a meal can also protect teeth.
