Posted on 03/08/2019 3:41:41 PM PST by fwdude
I’ve jumped on the train to better, sugar-free health and have been trying the more healthy sweeteners - the “sugar alcohols” that aren’t supposed to be as questionable as the synthetics (Aspartame, Saccharin, Sucrolase, etc.) Just wondering what experience other FReeper have had with these, and what preferences you’ve come to.
I’ve been using Stevia for a couple of years now and like it’s very sugar-like flavor and potency. I recently bought some Xylitol and Erytritol, to not so glowing report. I found the Xylitol just OK, but I had to use a lot of it to have a sweetening effect. I also bought some Erythritol and though that the after taste was somewhat unpleasant, and had to use a lot of it to get any sweetening effect as well.
So, in order of “like:” - Stevia - Xylitol - Erythritol
I’ve noticed that a lot of the Stevia products are cut with Erythritol, probably for economy sake and to cut the intensity. That’s okay with me, as long as it covers up the aftertaste of Erythritol.
Any others that I’m missing?
I’ve been researching this for a while and here is what I think today. You are probably right choosing Erythritol.
Erythritol has 70% the sweetness of sugar by volume.
Erythritol is very hard for gut bacteria to ferment or digest so it seems to do the least damage to them and you will have less gas, etc.
Erythritol has practically no effect on blood sugar levels. This is a good thing. All of the other sugar alcohols will spike blood sugar levels and increase insulin output. Bad.
Stevia will impact the health of good bugs in your gut. Specifically, it will reduce the numbers of L. Rheuteri. This is one of the best bacteria that you can have and they are hard to maintain in the gut without prebiotics and additional supplementation. So anything that makes keeping them around harder should be out. That’s sad because Stevia was the last hope of a good, natural sweetener.
Again, based on everything I’ve seen to date, Erythritol is the least harmful... and it’s comparatively cheap. I just got 2.5 pounds from Amazon for $12.99 delivered. That will last me a while.
So, until something better comes along, Erythritol seems to be the best choice... today.
Honey
Older now, I'm supposed to stay hydrated.
Arizona Green Tea "Zero" (green is lower in oxalates that cause kidney stones) is OK. I added two shots of lemon "Gator-Ade" per gallon, and it tastes really sweet. Think "synergy" in sweetness, without the calories and tooth decay.
As for aspartame, Obama had been President only a few months before it was fully approved. Anyone else smell a "Rat"?
We have a winner!!!!
Cyclamate.
5 pound bags??
shopped lately?
pink, blue, yellow … they all sweeten my coffee
Xylitol will KILL your dog just that fast.
I’ll stick with the real thing, thanks. You go right on ahead and be a guinea pig. Pretty much the only side effects from eating the refined sugar we have is that folks who eat too much of it get fat or invite disease into their lives.
Moderate use of a natural product. NOT HFCS, which is a by-product of animal feed production and tastes like crap, no matter what the “scientists” say. Fuel *IS* the only correct use for that crap.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 3/4 cup xylitol
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 3 cups blanched almond flour
- 1 1/4 cup Stevia sweetened chocolate chips
- 2/3 cup toasted walnuts (optional)
Directions:
Preheat over to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In the bowl of a mixer, cream together the butter, coconut oil, and xylitol. Add the vanilla and eggs, mix until incorporated. Mix in the baking soda and salt. Add the almond flour, 1 cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Fold in the chocolate chips and walnuts.
Form the dough into tablespoon rounds and place on the lined baking sheet about 3 inches apart. Bake for 11-13 minutes, or until golden brown around edges. Cool and enjoy! These cookies are best enjoyed the day they are baked.
I had a drink containing appertain. It tasked like metal, but it was more aftertaste than something I noticed right away. I got a headache so bad I had to leave work. I spent the rest of the day in bed. That was the last time I tried an artificial sweetener.
Sucralose (Splenda) is closest to real sugar and tastes best in my opinion.
Trader Joe's has a new carbonated water with lemon/ginger and nothing else, it tastes great :). It comes in cranberry/lime but I have not tried it yet.
Stevia is good for lemoned ice tea but not much else ... hold the door, I’ll leave with you.
Sucralose is deemed to be one of the WORST artificial sweeteners, as far as the potential harm it does, unfortunately.
What are you talking about? Squeezing a beet produces something more real than squeezing a leaf?
Do you think sugar is mined like salt?
Here’s something for you.. a plastic straw is exactly as natural as an oak tree.
Thx!
I’m a splenda person also, I like it the best
Forgot to mention that the chocolate chips can be found at Sprouts or Whole Foods as Lily’s brand.
This is where I get my honey. 10 minutes way.
Define “too much.”
Sweet Leaf brand Steiva
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