Pure Honey

Pure honey is the only sweetener Dr Johanna Budwig recommended for use in the diet. It is used, in modest quantities, for drinks and the Budwig muesli.

Raw honey has a long and worldwide reputation for almost magical properties. For years this has been dismissed as old wives’ tales but modern science continues to uncover explanations for its benefits.

Choose Traditionally Produced Honey

Much of the honey sold in supermarkets is pasteurised or processed at higher temperatures, which can reduce some of its naturally occurring enzymes and other beneficial compounds. Some imported “honey” products are blended and diluted with sugar syrup, so it is important to read the label carefully.

For the Budwig Diet, choose traditionally produced, cold-extracted, unpasteurised honey.

Runny or Set?

Both runny and set honey are rqually suitable. If you prefer runny honey and find it crystallises, simply stand the jar in warm—not hot—water until it becomes clear and runny again.

Organic?

Don’t worry too much about choosing organic honey. Many of the best British beekeepers are small-scale producers who care deeply about the health of their bees and avoid unnecessary chemical treatments.

Honey produced in the UK is unlikely to be certified organic because bees choose where they fly and can forage several miles from the hive. They cannot be restricted to organic farmland, making certification almost impossible.

If you can, buy from a local beekeeper. You can often ask how the bees are managed and where they forage. Certified organic honey sold in the UK usually comes from countries with large areas of organic land, such as parts of Eastern Europe, South America and Asia.