The lowdown on LowCarb Sweeteners

CookingWithCarlo.com ^ | Dec. 15, 2003 | Carlo3b Dad, Chef, Author

[carlo3b]

Good Morning Sunshine.. :O)

[RazzPutin]

I disagree with some of the points of this article. One of the sugar alcohols -- erythritol (4-carbon) -- is only slightly metabolized. Most of it is lost in the urine, so it supplies almost nothing in calories.

Xylitol (5-carbon)is metabolized through the pentose shunt, which promotes ribose and nucleotide and protein synthesis, thereby helping to retain lean tissue. It could be reassembled into glucose, but this is a roundabout path. I have used 20 grams per day without affecting the keto stix. Xylitol is good for teeth; use xylitol gum or mints after eating.

A portion of the ingested sugar alcohols does reach the lower gut where it does behave exactly like soluble dietary fiber. That's why eating too much causes diarrhea.

Sucralose is chlorinated sugar -- trichlorosucrose. I use a little but I am wary.

[carlo3b]

I use liquid splenda when I cook. I put the powdered stuff in my coffee but granulated splenda has carbs that add up, especially if you are using it in cooking quanities.

I couldn't agree more, but I use the granulated because it is easy to use as a sub.. it is the same measurement as sugar, perhaps with a couple of carbs.. but it's worth it.. it tastes better than most.. Thanks for the link.. :)

[steveo]

Diet-Rite sodas. Made with blend of Splenda and Sunett are really very good. I wonder how long it will take for Coke and Pepsi to switch over from Aspartame?

[carlo3b]

So I usually cut the Splenda with Sugar Twin, stevia, or rapadura. Rapadura is a true sugar, dried cane juice like the turbinado and succinat, but it is unrefined. All of the trace minerals are left in place.

Great tip.. Thanks so much.. :)

[templar]

I have been using Splenda for several months now as a substitute for sugar.

Try Stevia sometime. The white powder is what I've found to be the best (I only use it to sweeten tea though, I no longer drink coffee, and I don't use all that much of it). It seems to take differrent amounts in different uses, coffee usually takes very, very little. Tea seems to take a bit more. It's really easy to use way too much, in which case it gets a bitter taste. Some people claim that Stevia is actually good for you.

[carlo3b]

It's a great morning.. Time to plan dinner for the family.. Try something different.. :)

Chiles Rellenos Fritos

Fried Stuffed Chiles

• 12 large chiles poblanos or any chiles for stuffing
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 16 oz. crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 12 oz.Queso Blanco, cut in 1/2 inch-thick strips
• 4 eggs, separated
• 1/4 cup flour
• Oil for frying

 1) Cook and stir onion in hot oil until tender.
 2) Add garlic, tomatoes and salt.
 3) Simmer 10 minutes. Keep tomato sauce warm.
 4) Place chiles in shallow baking pan. Broil and turn chiles until skin blisters.
 5) Place in paper bag and close for about 10 minutes. Wipe the outside of chile with damp cloth to remove    charred skin.
 6) Make a slit from top to bottom on one side of the chiles. Open the top and carefully cut below the stalk. Remove veins and seeds, being careful not to break the flesh.
 7) Stuff with cheese strips.
 8) Beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Add one yolk at a time, beating after each addition.
 9) Heat about 1 inch of oil in large skillet. Roll stuffed chiles in flour then in egg batter.
 10) Gently place in hot oil and brown both sides. Drain on paper towels. Serve with tomato sauce.

[carlo3b]

I am still not comfortable using it because I don't think it has been around long enough to ascertain long-term health risks. But it's probably better than the sugar-laden diet I used to be on and I'm certainly much healthier these days now that I'm down to my normal weight.

Sam as usual you make a great point, and I agree, but like you I have decided that there are enough other companys out there gunning for Splenda that if there were any obvious problems with the stuff they would be taking out full page ads to tell us.. LOL

[boris]

Side comment: many "sugar free" candies are made with Sorbitol. Only one little problem: sorbitol is a natural laxative. Eat one--fine. Eat a dozen: get the runs.

Trust me on this; I done been there.

--Boris

[carlo3b]

I am still searching for a LowCarb, or any formula for Mountain Dew.. I wanted to surprise you for Christmas.. but alas, I came up dry . :(

[carlo3b]

Side comment: many "sugar free" candies are made with Sorbitol. Only one little problem: sorbitol is a natural laxative. Eat one--fine. Eat a dozen: get the runs.

Well, ya don't say... :|

Trust me on this; I done been there.

OK.. thanks.. gulp..putting down the next piece.. ;)

[joesbucks]

I have used Splenda in many things. It does two things to me. First is I can do a symphony between belly rumbles and flatulance explosions (thankfully no odor). Almost 1812 Overture. Then the Green Apple Quick Step kicks in. That's when the odor takes over. I've bared many bathroom walls of paint after eating Splenda.

[carlo3b]

Diet-Rite sodas. Made with blend of Splenda and Sunett are really very good. I wonder how long it will take for Coke and Pepsi to switch over from Aspartame?

That change is already in the works..

[prairiebreeze]

Good info on Splenda. I know I like it better than aspartame.

I like a product made with Splenda called Fruit2-O. It's water, slightly sweetened with Splenda, fruit flavored and slightly tart. Zero calories.

Prairie

[carlo3b]

LowCarb Mock Potato Soup

It works.. Try it!!!

• 1 head cauliflower
• 1 small onion
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 3 slices thick bacon diced
• 3 slices ham, diced (optional)
• 3 tbsp butter
• 1/2 c heavy cream
• salt & pepper to taste
• shredded cheddar cheese

1) Separate cauliflower and cut into small pieces.
2) Boil with chopped onion in chicken broth until tender.
3) Place aprox 2 cups of cooked cauliflower in food processor with 1/4 cup of chicken broth.
4) Add butter and cream and pulse until creamy.
5) Combine remainder of cauliflower with cooked bacon (and ham if you're using that as well) salt, pepper and shredded cheddar cheese. Mix with pulsed mixture.

Note: To get a somewhat thicker soup, a teaspoon of Arrowroot mixed with water to the hot mixture..

Makes 6 servings. about 5 carbs per serving after fiber reduction.

LowCarb is a copyrighted trademark of, Morelli Enterprises Inc.
 

[Zipporah]

I'll give the Mock Potato Soup a try.. I tried the 'mashed potatoes" from the South Beach Diet book.. YUK!

[carlo3b]

There is sooooo much flavor in flank steak, and after being marinated it's even better.. Yahooooooo!

 LowCarb Flank Steak Marinade

• 2 lb. flank steak, (also called London broil)
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1 Tbs. honey
• 2 Tbs. cider vinegar, or distilled white
• 1 1/2 tsp. ground ginger, or 2 Tbs. fresh, sliced thin
• 3/4 cup pure olive oil
• 1 Tbs. dry vermouth
• 2 Tbs. diced onions

1) Tenderize beef with mallet, and profusely perforate with fork.
2) Mix everything completely.
3) Using a sealable container, or a 1 gal size freezer bag, marinate at least 4 hours, or better yet, overnight. Turn frequently.  After marinating, grill the steak on a hot grill, in a crisscrossing pattern, then cut into strips against the grain.

[HoundsTooth_BP]

I am hooked on regular classic coke. I cannot stand their diet. But, I have wondered what brands already are made with sucralose (Splenda) or Stevia and which would be best?

[11th_VA]

Add me to the list - Thanks

[carlo3b]

I tried the 'mashed potatoes" from the South Beach Diet book.. YUK!

So did I, double yuck.. someone reallt screwed up with that recipe.. Have you tried this?

 LowCarb Portobello a la Broccoli Aliolo

• Large bunch of broccoli
• 3 Tbls extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup water
• Kosher salt to taste
• Several cloves of garlic, chopped or mashed
• 1 med. onion, chopped
• 3 lg. portobello mushroom, cut into 1/4" slices
• 2 Tbls butter
• 1/2 cup dry sherry
• Season
• Red pepper flakes (optional)


Prepare Broccoli;
1) Wash, clean and trim off the stem of the broccoli. Peel it to beneath the fibrous layer, and cut into bite sized pieces.
2) Separate the head of the broccoli into bite sized chunks.
3) Place broccoli in a large skillet with the olive oil, water, salt, and garlic, and bring to a boil, cover tightly, and let steam until the broccoli is bright green and al dente tender (tender but a bit crisp) approx. five minutes. Keep skillet with remaining oils. Remove broccoli, and set aside.
4) Add butter to skillet, and melt. Add onions, (and red peppers) and sauté until soft, then add sherry, and mushrooms.  Sauté for 3-4 mins., boil off most of the remaining liquid.
5) Add broccoli to the mushrooms, toss, and coat, and reheat.
Transfer to a warmed serving platter.
Serve at once.

You can also mix this with cooked pasta (I prefer a tubular pastas, as penne or rigatoni), season it with red pepper flakes and parmesan cheese, or eat it as is.

LowCarb, copyrighted by Morelli Enterprises Inc.