Molasses vs golden syrup
Brands vary, but with about 20 per cent fewer calories and 25 per cent less sugar than golden syrup, molasses is the winner. Molasses also has about 80 per cent more potassium and almost five times the magnesium. Both are iron-rich – gram-for-gram they have twice the iron of fillet steak. Both are slightly more nutritious than white sugar, but should still be used in moderation.
Winner: molasses
White chocolate vs milk chocolate
White and milk chocolate both contain cocoa butter, but white chocolate has far fewer cocoa solids, if any. on the upside, it contains negligible caffeine, but it misses out on the flavonoid antioxidants that come with a higher cocoa solids content. White chocolate has similar overall calories to milk chocolate and more vitamin e, but about 10 per cent more fat. Milk choc wins by a nose.
Winner: milk chocolate
Banana vs pineapple
if you’re counting calories, go for the pineapple. gram-for-gram, pineapple has less than half the calories of banana and about 30 per cent less sugar. What’s more, pineapple has about four times more vitamin c than the common cavendish banana. But with more than twice the potassium and about 30 per cent more fibre than pineapples, bananas still make a great healthy choice.
Winner: pineapple
Peanut oil vs canola oil
Both canola and peanut oil mainly comprise monounsaturated fat. However, canola oil has less than half the saturated fat (8 per cent compared with peanut’s 19 per cent) and more healthy omega-3 fats. Peanut oil has a higher smoke point, so is better for high-heat cooking, but no good for those with nut allergies. For a more natural option, choose cold-pressed brands of either oil.
Winner: canola oil
Gelato vs sorbet
Dairy-based gelato is similar to ice-cream (but usually with less cream), while sorbet is dairy-free. sorbet is the lighter choice– brands vary but it typically has around 35 per cent fewer calories than gelato and virtually no fat. However, it does have a little more sugar, less calcium and no protein. ultimately, both are relatively high-sugar options (about 22-27 per cent sugar) to be eaten in moderation – but sorbet wins on the fat and calorie front.
Winner: sorbet
Barbecue sauce vs hot chilli sauce
Brands vary considerably, however hot chilli sauce wins because it usually has fewer calories and less sugar than barbecue sauce – sometimes half. However, the downside is that it typically has more salt. Both sauces often have added thickeners, colours and flavours. go for a low-sodium, low-sugar brand when choosing either sauce. Better still, make your own chilli sauce using fresh chillies, vinegar and just a little sugar.
Winner: hot chilli sauce
