Drop the Drag Wednesday: To Bee My Honey, You Have to Be Real

This one really bums me out.  I happen to be one of those nutritionists who really likes honey.  I recommend it, in small portions, as a sweetener.  For sports nutrition, I recommend larger portions before and after intense training.  In fact, I was elated to read recent studies that showed its carbohydrate benefits are similar to a long-lasting carb, like maltodextrin, rather than a quick one.  I believe its enzymes, antioxidants, and whole-food nutrients have a lot of benefit to us.

So, when I see a study that shows that most grocery-store honey, is not really honey at all, it makes me a little mad.  Turns out, that many manufacturers process the honey so much, it has no pollen, and none of the healthy traits nature intended.

According to http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2011/11/tests-show-most-store-honey-isnt-honey/

• 76 percent of samples bought at groceries had all the pollen removed, These were stores like TOP Food, Safeway, Giant Eagle, QFC, Kroger, Metro Market, Harris Teeter, A&P, Stop & Shop and King Soopers.
• 100 percent of the honey sampled from drugstores like Walgreens, Rite-Aid and CVS Pharmacy had no pollen.
• 77 percent of the honey sampled from big box stores like Costco, Sam’s Club, Walmart, Target and H-E-B had the pollen filtered out.
• 100 percent of the honey packaged in the small individual service portions from Smucker, McDonald’s and KFC had the pollen removed.
• ON THE OTHER HAND, all the samples bought at farmers markets, co-ops and “natural” stores like PCC and Trader Joe’s had the full, anticipated, amount of pollen.

So, how can you increase your chances of getting real, healthful honey?

Buy Organic, Buy Raw, and when possible, Buy Local

Give your body what it needs everyday and during training with the right Foods, Drinks and Supplements.  If you would like my help with it, I offer comprehensive plans as Instant Downloads and as Custom Clients starting at just $20.  And, as a FuelRightBlog reader, get a further discount with coupon code:  password-frblog  username-reader.  I’d love to work with you!

 Fuel Your Adventure.  Nourish Your Body.

SHARE