Tips for Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates provide your body with fuel so that it runs smoothly. A diet which is rich in carbohydrates should include a variety of lentils, bread, and vegetarian dishes. Refined sugar, which is also high in carbohydrates should be consumed in moderation, as it is contained only starch and adds to your body’s fat content.

Here are some tips to minimize the consumption of refined sugar in cooked food:

• Use only the minimum amount of sugar, syrups or other sweeteners in the recipe. 
• Use sweet spices like allspice, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, vanilla, and herbs to flavor a dish, and then decide on the amount of additional sugar needed. 
• Add ripe fruit, and nuts for their natural sweetness and flavor, wherever possible. 
• Use the puree of fruits as a base for puddings, desserts, and sauces. Ripe bananas, apples, pears, fresh berries, melon, and mangoes are excellent for this purpose. 
• Use fruit juice concentrate as a sugar substitute, Apple, orange and other fruit blends impart flavor to any dish. 
• Use dried fruits such as raisins, figs, currants, apricots, dates, and prunes. If they are dehydrated, soak in warm apple juice or water and use the juice or water in recipes in which water is required. 
• Offer warm desserts, as a higher temperature intensifies the flavor. 
• Avoid the use of cream in desserts. If necessary, use unsweetened cream.

Follow these tips and you will reap the maximum from your carbohydrates.