Honey vs rice malt syrup
If you’re on a low-fructose diet, fructose-free rice malt syrup is your pick. But it has a high glycemic index, so people with diabetes need to take care. Honey has roughly equal amounts of fructose and glucose and has been found to have medicinal properties. If you want the most natural choice, go for raw honey. Ultimately, both are sugars, so no matter what your choice, moderation is best.
Winner: honey
Corned beef vs roast beef
Corned beef is typically prepared by pickling beef in seasoned brine. In terms of nutrient and fat content, it is roughly on par with roast beef, although roast beef tends to have more iron and zinc. The big difference is that corned beef has more additives, such as salt, sodium nitrate, preservatives and sugar. Roast your own lean beef for the healthiest choice.
Winner: roast beef
Barley vs brown rice
If you’re on a gluten-free diet, brown rice is the clear winner, because barley contains gluten. Brown rice also has over five times more folate and vitamin E. However, barley has twice the calcium and fibre and about 30 per cent fewer calories. The two are equivalent in protein and fat content. Ultimately, both grains are healthy choices and getting variety from both is best.
Winner: it’s a tie
Dried dates vs prunes
Dried dates have about twice the sugar and 50 per cent more calories than prunes, and a little more fibre and iron, but prunes have twenty times the beta carotene and are very rich in antioxidants. Both are good sources of calcium and magnesium and, gram-for-gram, they have twice the potassium of bananas. If you’re watching your calories, prunes are your best pick.
Winner: prunes
Black tea vs green tea
Black and green tea both come from the plant Camellia sinensis; they’re just processed differently. They’re both rich in healthy flavonoids, with the flavonoids in green tea receiving particularly positive health research. Green tea typically has less caffeine but, depending on crop, leaf size and preparation, it can be on par with black tea. Green wins by a whisker but, if you don’t add sugar, black tea is also a great healthy choice.
Winner: green tea
Chocolate chip vs shortbread
These two favourite biscuit varieties have different credentials. If you’re watching your saturated fat intake, give the shortbread a miss. Loaded with butter, it has 50 per cent more saturated fat than a choc-chip biscuit. But the choc-chip catches up with almost 50 per cent more sugar and only marginally fewer calories overall. The chocolate chips also add caffeine. It’s best to make your own bikkies using less sugar and fat.
Winner: it’s a tie
