Honey

[folkprophet]

So. Honey. Okay or not okay for cutting? Some diets allow. Some do not? Use sparingly? Stay away? Go to town (as long as within carb macros)?

What are your thoughts?

[RickB]

Don't call me honey! EVER!

It doesn't specifically reference cutting, but they seem to like it.....but I don't believe everything i read either:

Honey | Many bodybuilders still think that all fast-digesting carbs will make them fat. But honey has been shown to be a highly efficient source of carbohydrates for the restoration of muscle glycogen. Apparently, it digests quickly, yet ultimately does not radically spike insulin levels. That means it is an ideal pre- and posttraining carb source for bodybuilders who struggle to control bodyfat levels. Use honey before or after you work out. Try two tablespoons in a workout shake or added to toasted white bread. Honey also contains potent antioxidants, as well as nitric oxide (NO) components.

Source: Bodybuilding food alternatives: twelve surprising muscle-building foods | Flex | Find Articles at BNET

[folkprophet]

Originally Posted by RickB

Don't call me honey! EVER!

It doesn't specifically reference cutting, but they seem to like it.....but I don't believe everything i read either:



Source: Bodybuilding food alternatives: twelve surprising muscle-building foods | Flex | Find Articles at BNET

Yeah...I've read stuff like that too. But I'm a skeptic. Plus...as you say, doesn't reference cutting.

By the way, the reason I'm asking: We make this mean, super-delicious homemade granola. It uses a bit of oil (we use canola), honey, splenda (now to be stevia as of today), and a bit o' vanilla for the wet mix. We love it, but if the honey's gonna hurt us...might be better to just stick to the oatmeal.

[RickB]

This still won't directly address I guess a quantity, but this lady (competitor) says it's acceptable. BTW, you can see her abs year around. We were discussing artificial sweeteners and this is a piece of what she had to say:

From what I know most of the research shows that they seem to stimulate the pancreas like sugar does. I avoid them and use mostly natural things to sweeten my food like, fruit, honey or agave nectar

[folkprophet]

I'm thinking it's probably okay. But I'm paranoid and haven't been reaching my goals...so paranoid with reason...and don't want to introduce something that'll make things even harder.

Thanks

[onetiredkris]

Originally Posted by folkprophet

I'm thinking it's probably okay. But I'm paranoid and haven't been reaching my goals...so paranoid with reason...and don't want to introduce something that'll make things even harder.

Thanks

F the honey. If your cutting then why add unnecessary calories?
(unless your going to cave in to hunger and desperately need the change/addition of flavor)
Do it for two weeks then make the call if its worth it.

[folkprophet]

Originally Posted by onetiredkris

F the honey. If your cutting then why add unnecessary calories?
(unless your going to cave in to hunger and desperately need the change/addition of flavor)
Do it for two weeks then make the call if its worth it.

Are they unnecessary? We need so many grams of carbs a day. Cannot a bit of those grams be honey. Honey isn't empty calories like white sugar. Right? That's my thought.

But, yeah...trying it out may be the only option.

[BendtheBar]

Honey used to be a staple in a lot of old school diets. If you like it I would work it in.

[folkprophet]

Originally Posted by BendtheBar

Honey used to be a staple in a lot of old school diets. If you like it I would work it in.

Yeah. Especially if I can't use Splenda.

As I see it...gulp down 30 grams of oatmeal plain...bleh...or...20 grams of oatmeal with 10 grams of honey...mmmmmm, yummy.

[ole grunt]

I read an article a while back that talked about the health benefits of honey, including it's impact on NO and creatine levels (which I had never heard before). Anyway, if your bulking or maintaining, I dont see why not, if you're cutting, I guess it just depends on what your macros look like, and as you pointed out, its prolly better for you than any sugar substitute created in a lab rather than created in nature like honey is. BTW it's supposed to be good for your immune system as well. Like another poster stated though, I dont believe everything I read, but I have read alot of good press on honey.