Coconut

These no-bake energy bites are easy to make, full of feel-good ingredients, and very delicious!

This watermelon and coconut water drink is easy to make and will help you to cool down on hot summer days.

Easy summer recipe for homemade strawberry ice cream. Lactose-free and creamy. Indulge yourself with this delicious summer dessert!

In the world of healthy living, scientific professionals have concluded that sugars could be more harmful that we initially thought. Growing up we were told to intake sugars in moderation. We were told that sweet treats were fine, as long as it wasn’t the main portion of our meal… That sugars were fine as long as we brushed our teeth well… That sugars were fine and a great distraction technique to get our children to do as they were told… That sugars were fine as long as we kept a healthy lifestyle. Sugars were never the main evil. But are they now though? Sugar and its benefits Now of course, sugar isn’t 100% bad for you. We all use some sort of sugar in our diets for distinct reasons. Sugar can be a major source of energy for the cells around our body. Pulled straight from the bloodstream, sugar is used for brain fuel and physical energy. Why is too much sugar bad for you? If we look at the classic health issues that sugars cause, we come across problems such as: diabetes, weight gain, acne, heart disease, fatty liver, mood and hormone changes, cavities, and high blood pressure. This list alone, should make people consider the amount of sugar going into their diet. Any of these additional issues can have a dramatic effect on people’s everyday experiences, and it can be hard to reverse the damage once its done. But its not that simple. Living in the contemporary, convenient twenty-first century, we have simple and easy meals that are packaged and marketed so we don’t ask questions like- how much sugar is in that? Dangers of Added Sugars Food manufacturers have famously been ‘adding’ sugars to our shelved food and drink for decades now. Added sugar gives the benefits of extra flavouring and lasting longer compared to organic fresh foods. Added sugars can overload the liver and heart overtime, and can cause a higher risk of health issues in your future health. We intake added sugars every day without realising. Maybe we should start looking at the back of the ingredients packaging? What are sugar alternatives? In realising the hindrances that sugars cause, it begs the question- What can we consume instead? The answer: Natural sweeteners! Natural sweeteners can be a great substitute for artificial sugars. The lower calorie products can be found in foods, drinks, powders, chewing gums and more. The most common, and perhaps the best sugar replacements, are stevia, erythritol, and xylitol. These low-calorie sweeteners are great as they can come in powder form, allowing you to add them into savoury meals, sweet bakes, smoothies, and milkshakes. What are the best sugar alternatives? Erythritol Fermented from glucose and sucrose (table sugar), Erythritol is an organic compound found naturally in many fruits (melons, pears, watermelons, grapes), savoury foods (mushrooms, cheese, soy sauce), and drinks (sake, wine, and beer). Unlike other sweeteners, Erythritol has a glycaemic index of zero. This means that it is not calorific, so it doesn’t cause blood sugar spikes, has no effect on your glucose or insulin levels, and has a completely different metabolic effect than sugar. With this being said, Erythritol is very commonly used in the ‘Keto’ world. The ketogenic diet includes consuming an exceptionally low amount of carbohydrates in your day-to-day life. This is done by switching out carbs for fat, to produce energy. Over time, the goal works towards the body’s burning fat process to be triggered, to allow gradual weight loss. Erythritol has a sweetness of around 70% compared to normal sugars, therefore, you might want to use more of it to get the full sweet flavouring. In powder form, it mixes well with foods and has no after taste, so it can be great when used in baking and cooking. It can be completely switched out for sugar with no real measuring involved. Erythritol, advantageously, is an antioxidant. It helps the immune system, has healing properties and has been said to promote good ageing. In encouraging the immune system, the compound prevents bacterial growth in the mouth, making it a significant use for improving your oral health as well as your body in general. xylitol This crystalline sugar is a bulking agent sugar that can be naturally sourced in some fruits (strawberries, plums) and vegetables (mushrooms, lettuce, pumpkins, and cauliflower). Xylitol can also be found in plants and microorganisms, and is traditionally extracted from birch trees, corn fibres, or other plant waste. This, in the beginning of its production is very ecologically friendly. This bulking agent first became extremely popular in World War Two when sucrose became a rare and rationed item. With this being said, it is a great sugar replacement, as it has an extremely sweet flavouring naturally, in comparison to other sweeteners. Compared to sugar in general, xylitol has a lower glycaemic index and specifically contains 40% fewer calories. The sugar produces minimal energy, therefore it is a great option for those with diabetes, as it doesn’t raise your insulin or blood levels. Similarly to Erythritol, xylitol is a type of carbohydrate that can be hard to digest in substantial portions. Again, it can cause mild digestive symptoms such as: bloating, cramps, excess gas, and diarrhoea. Xylitol is safe for human consumption, but can be fatal to dogs. An interesting benefit, however, is that xylitol can’t be fermented in the mouth. This is great for your oral health as it helps balance your PH levels, reducing any acidity and bacterial growth. Stevia Sourced from a South American plant, Stevia is a substance extracted from the leaves of the Stevia Rebaudiana sunflower. Today, stevia is grown in several countries, including Kenya, Paraguay, China, and the United States. The plant can grow conveniently in the most basic weather conditions, and is an affordable crop to produce and sell also. The ecologically friendly plant has become popular over the last five decades, starting in the American market, and being sold around the concept of weight-loss. Stevia includes the compound Steviol Glycoside which is well known for giving stevia its extreme sweet taste. Stevia is far sweeter than sugar, so it is only needed in exceedingly small doses. The sugar alternative, though mainly used in herbal supplements, can be a great replacement in ice creams, baked goods, and sweet drinks. However, it does have a dominant bitter aftertaste, therefore it would be worth trialling the taste in cooking to see if it is bearable in meals. Compared to Xylitol and Erythritol, Stevia has more health benefits. Research has shown that from the leaves directly or from the plant powder, Stevia contains several minerals and proteins. It also contains antioxidants, lowers blood pressure, and has anti-viral effects that can help the immune system and prevent inflammation. Alike Xylitol and Erythritol, Stevia has a zero glycaemic index (zero calories), therefore it is safe for people with diabetes to use, as it can help improve the nutritional status. When overconsumed, Stevia can cause uncomfortable symptoms such as nausea, bloating, low blood pressure, and hormone disruption. All three natural sugar replacements come with their own advantages and disadvantages. They have their similarities but equally have their clear differences.

Supermarkets don't have it all! If you're looking for speciality drinks and feel good beverages, try online shops where you can find good quality speciality beverages, healthy fermented drinks like kombucha or kefir water, coconut water, organic ginger beer, organic lemonade and jiggers. Kombucha Kombucha is a fermented probiotic drink made from black tea or green tea, which can be flavoured with different fruits. Kombucha has great health benefits, including improving digestion - that's why it is known as good for your gut drink. Our tip: Organic Lemon & Ginger Jun-Kombucha - Loving Foods Loving Foods Jun-Kombucha is naturally cultured using organic green tea a using a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY) to drive the fermentation process. Organic ginger beer Ginger beer is a carbonated, non-alcoholic drink made from ginger, sugar, water, and yeast. This spicy and refreshing drink is perfect not only for summer. It has been known and produced for centuries, and it is enjoyed alone as a soft drink or a mixer in cocktails. Our tip: Cool Ginger Beer 270ml - Organic - Luscombe This delicious drink is made with fresh root ginger, brewed into a delightfully not-too-hot ginger beer. It is very slightly sparkling. Loved by kids and adults. Though adults may want to try it as a mixer with some organic rum. Our tip: Organic Ginger Beer - Belvoir This organic ginger beer is packed with fresh ginger extract that makes its flavour unique. It's the special taste that you only get when you use real ginger. It contains no preservatives, flavourings or anything artificial. Great as a mixer with vodka, rum or other spirits. Water kefir Kefir water is another fermented drink rich in probiotics. It is packed with vitamins such as vitamin B1, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12. It also has some antibiotic and antifungal properties and can help support your immune system. Our tip: Blood Orange Bitters Water Kefir - Agua De Madre Coconut water Coconut water is a type of juice from the coconut. Pure coconut water had no added sugar and is low in calories. You can drink coconut water for its electrolytes - which are the minerals that help you stay hydrated. Our tip: Coconut Water - Vita Coco The pure natural taste of coconut water from young green coconuts. Wonderfully refreshing and rehydrating. Fabulous in cocktails. Madonna's favourite tipple. Lemonade Lemonade is a sweet fizzy drink made from lemons (or other fruit), sugar, and water. It is a perfect refreshing summer drink for hot days. Made with citrus fruit, it provides you with a dose of vitamin C and antioxidants. Our tip: Luscombe Organic Sicilian Lemonade A classic still lemonade made of sharp Sicilian lemons, rounded off with an indulgent splash of Madagascan vanilla. Tonic water & jigger 'Jigger' is an old English term for good measure, and tonic definition says it's a medicinal substance taken to give a feeling of vigour or well-being and this is exactly what these amazing soft drinks are. They are made using the botanical brewing process and all-natural ingredients, which are infused, blended and fermented for a full seven days to give you a fantastic flavour. Our tip for tonic: Pink Rhubarb Tonic Water - Fentimans Fentimans’ Pink Rhubarb Tonic Water is made with sweet rhubarb and botanical extracts for a tonic reminiscent of vintage sweets. You can mix with a classic London Dry gin and garnish with lemon and mint. Our tip for jigger: Mandarin & Seville Orange Jigger - Fentimans Made with the juice of eight mandarins and the zest of a Seville orange in every bottle, with a hint of ginger and infused with herbal extracts. Perfectly balanced, the result is a full-bodied, deliciously refreshing soft drink.

White sugar doesn't have any nutritional value but supplies us with extra calories. That's why more and more people are looking for healthier and natural ways to replace it. There are sugar alternatives that you can easily buy online and enjoy your meals and drinks with a little bit of sweetness that is less harmful. This list includes dates, erythritol, agave syrup, maple syrup, organic coconut sugar and stevia. 1. Dates Dates are fruits of the date palm tree. In the Western countries mainly dried dates are consumed, that are available as: whole, pitted or chopped dates. The most popular varieties are Medjool dates and Deglet Noor dates. Dried dates are sweet and chewy with a caramel-like flavour. You can also easily buy date syrup made of heated dates mixed with water and blended into a sweet nectar. Both whole dried dates and date syrup are a great alternative for sugar in cooking and baking. Nutritional value of dates Dates consist of fructose, which is a natural type of sugar found in fruits. Dried dates are much healthier than normal sugar. They are high in important nutrients such as fibre, vitamin B6, and minerals such as potassium, magnesium, manganese and copper. Organic dates are packed with antioxidants: flavonoids, carotenoids, phenolic acid that help fight inflammation and prevent chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer’s. Dates have a low glycemic index. The fibre in dates can help to control blood sugar levels and prevent them from sugar spikes. However, since they are dried fruit, they quite high in calories. Buy organic dates in bulk 2. Erythritol Erythritol is a natural sweetener that tastes exactly like sugar but it has no calories. It can be used just like white table sugar in drinks, and for cooking and baking. Erythritol contains 70% of the sugar sweetness but only 6% of its calories. How is erythritol made? Erythritol belongs to sugar alcohols that are used as sugar-free sweeteners (such as sorbitol, xylitol, maltitol). They can stimulate the sweet taste receptors on your tongue. Most sugar alcohols are found in small amounts in fruits and vegetables. Nutritional value Erythritol is different from the other sugar alcohols as it contains fewer calories and doesn’t cause any side effects. Most of it gets absorbed into your bloodstream and it's excreted with the urine. Erythritol acts as an antioxidant and helps the blood vessel function in people who suffer from type 2 diabetes. It is also a great sugar alternative for those who want to lose weight. Unlike table sugar, erythritol doesn't feed the bacteria that cause cavities so it helps to stop the growth of bacteria in the mouth. Buy erythritol in bulk 3. Coconut sugar Organic coconut sugar is the less-processed type of sugar. Sometimes called coconut palm sugar it is made in a natural way from the dehydrated sap of the coconut palm tree. How is coconut sugar made? Liquid sap is collected from a cut made on the coconut flower. Then, it is heated until the liquid evaporates. The result is a brown granulated product. Don't confuse it with palm sugar which is made in a different way. Nutritional value of coconut sugar Coconut sugar contains very small amounts of minerals such as iron, calcium, zinc, potassium, zinc, plus polyphenols, antioxidants and fibre. Coconut sugar has a lower glycemic index and slow down the absorption of glucose. This is thanks to inulin. Coconut sugar consist of sucrose (70-80%) which is indeed fructose. Similarly to normal sugar, coconut sugar is high in calories. Although coconut sugar's nutritional profile is slightly better than of normal sugar, consuming too much of it is not very healthy and may lead to many serious diseases such as obesity, heart disease and diabetes. Buy coconut sugar in bulk 4. Agave syrup Agave syrup or agave nectar, is a plant-based sweetener made from a different species of plant called agave (Agave Tequillana, Agave Salmiana, Agave Americana). Agave has a mild sweet and neutral flavour which makes it a great sugar substitute for delicate dishes. It is also one and a half times sweeter than white sugar, so you can use less of it when replacing sugar. How is agave syrup made? To make agave syrup from the Agave Americana and Agave Tequilana, the leaves are cut off the plant (the plant is seven to fourteen years old). The juice is then extracted from piña - the core of the plant. Later the juice is filtered and heated until it becomes a thick liquid. In case of Agave salmiana, the syrup is made differently. As the plant grows, it starts to develops a stalk called a quiote. The stalk is cut off before it fully grows, creating a hole in the middle of the plant. This hole fills with a liquid called aquamiel. The liquid is collected daily and heated up. Agave syrup may have different colours from light to dark brown, depending on the degree of processing. Nutritional value of agave Agave syrup composition depends on the species from which the syrup was made. In A. tequilana, the syrup contains up to 60% fructose, 20% glucose, and little bit of sucrose. In agave syrup made from A. salmiana, sucrose is the main sugar. Agave syrup also contains very small amounts of vitamin C and B vitamins, and minerals such as calcium, potassium, and selenium but the serving size provides little benefit from these micronutrients. Buy agave 5. Maple syrup Maple syrup is made from the sap of maple tree. Maple syrup is graded based on its colour and taste. It is used as topping and sweetener for tea, coffee, porridge, oatmeal, waffles and pancakes. How is maple syrup made? The sap is collected from drilled trunks of the tree. Then the sap is heat up to evaporate most of the water, leaving the concentrated syrup. Nutritional value of maple syrup Maple syrup consists mainly of sucrose. It is rich in antioxidants when compared with other sweeteners and it has a lower glycemic index. Buy maple syrup 6. Stevia Stevia is a plant-based sweetener that is intensely sweet. Indeed, it is 50 to 300 times sweeter than sugar. It can be used as sugar alternative in baking or in any way you want to replace sugar. It has mild, a bit bitter flavour, similar to licorice. How is stevia made? Stevia is made from Stevia rebaudiana, a plant from chrysanthemum family. Many stevia products are made from a highly refined stevia leaf extract called rebaudioside A (Reb-A) which is about 200 times sweeter than white sugar. They are sold in form of powder, granulated or liquid (stevia drops). You can grow stevia plants at home and use the leaves to sweeten meals and drinks. Nutritional value of stevia Stevia sweetener has no nutritional value and no calories so it doesn't impact blood sugar levels. It is a good sugar replacer for those with diabetes and those trying to lose weight. However, as a nonnutritive sweetener its impact on an individual’s health may depend on the how much of is consumed, and the time of day it is consumed. European Food Safety Authority has concluded that stevia products are safe for consumption within the moderate daily intake, both for healthy adults and children.

Pancake Day or Shrove Tuesday is just around the corner – and we can’t wait! Here at Wholefood Earth, you can count on us to recommend you some healthier alternatives to the traditional all-purpose flour to add to your pancake recipe. White flour has very little nutritional value, it can also be bleached by gas to make it whiter. During processing, the white flour is stripped of all its nutrients. It’s high in carbohydrates and calories, and low in everything else such as protein, fibre and vitamins. Traditional white flour is also made of wheat, which is a known allergen. However, all the flours listed below are wheat free and therefore do not contain gluten! This makes them perfect for anyone with a wheat or gluten intolerance, looking for a flour replacement. Almond Flour Almond flour, as you may have already guessed, is made from ground almonds. The almonds are first blanched and then ground and sifted into a fine powder/flour. It has a much sweeter taste that is said to resemble marzipan – so it’s perfect for making pancakes! Almond flour is low in carbohydrates, and high in healthy fats and fibre, making it a much healthier substitute for traditional flour. It is also packed with nutrients and is particularly rich in magnesium which is involved in many processes in your body. These include improved blood sugar control, reduced insulin resistance and lower blood pressure. Vitamin E is another nutrient Almond Flour is abundant in. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble compound, its main role is to act as an antioxidant. These are important for protecting the body from free radicals, which can damage cells, causing illness and aging. It can also improve immune function, along with preventing clots from forming in heart arteries. Buckwheat Flour Another healthier alternative we would like to suggest is Buckwheat flour. Despite the name, it does not in fact contain any wheat at all and is a popular flour substitute for people with wheat allergies or gluten intolerances. Buckwheat has a strong, nutty flavour that works well in savoury recipes. For any savoury pancake fans out there - this is the flour for you! Buckwheat flour is a rich source of vitamins and antioxidants, including thiamine, riboflavin and niacin. Its nutritional content is primarily made up of carbohydrates making it a great source of energy, it also has a good amount of protein and fibre. Due to its well-balanced amino acid profile, the protein found in buckwheat is of a very high quality. Buckwheat flour may also aid in promoting a healthy heart. It contains many heart-healthy compounds, such as magnesium, rutin and copper. Rutin may help in lowering your risk of heart disease by decreasing inflammation as well as blood pressure. Buckwheat flour has also been shown to boost your blood lipid profile. A weak profile is considered a risk factor for heart disease. Rice Flour As the name suggests, Rice flour is a milled flour made from grinding either cooked or raw rice. You can purchase it as either white or brown rice flour. It has a delicate, neutral flavour, making it easy to add to most recipes as it won’t impact the taste too much. If you want to substitute traditional flour for rice flour, your pancakes won’t be as thick, but they will be softer and more fluffy. For a gluten free pancake recipe using rice flour, why not take a look at our Gluten Free Big Boy Pancakes with Muscovado Treacle Syrup Choline, which is a vital nutrient for both animals and humans, can be found in rice flour. Choline is required to maintain essential components of the membranes. It plays a key role in transporting cholesterol and triglycerides from the liver and throughout the rest of the body. As a result, it has been associated with strengthening liver health. Rice flour can also help keep our bones and teeth healthy because it contains plenty of calcium. Calcium is also important as your heart, muscles and nerves require calcium to function properly. Studies also suggest that calcium can help lower blood pressure and improve cholesterol. Coconut Flour If like us, you’re nuts about coconuts, then Coconut flour might be the choice for you this pancake day. It’s a soft flour that’s made from drying, and then grinding the inner white lining of the coconut. Coconut flour has a mild, naturally sweet taste makes it an ideal flour for creating pancakes, or any other sweet baking treats that take your fancy! Coconut flour is a great source of fibre, our own brand here at Wholefood Earth has 34g per 100g (more than 4 times the amount as wheat flour) Government guidelines suggest that adults should be consuming 30g of fibre a day. The NHS states that eating plenty of fibre is linked to a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and bowel cancer. Fibre also helps to feel fuller for longer whilst aiding digestive health. The high fibre in coconut flour can also help to promote a healthy level of blood sugar. Foods that are rich in fibre aid in regulating blood sugar levels by slowing down the speed at which sugar enters your bloodstream. Coconut flour is also lower in carbohydrates and higher in protein making it better at boosting healthy blood sugar regulation.