Great Sugar Replacement

[ChrisBK]

I know I for one cannot eliminate the need for a sweet kick to my coffee or tea in the mornings, and found a great replacement to sugar.

I bought a 1 pound bag of Xylitol at my health food store and it was one of the better decisions I've made. I found almost 0 difference between this and sugar, and it has 1/4th the calories. Of course, I don't go crazy with the stuff, but in moderation I see it as a great alternative. I've tried splenda, aspartame, and frankly besides the fact they don't taste great and leave a bad aftertaste, they aren't that healthy for you.

http://www.angelfire.com/az/sthursto...sweetener.html

It is not the cheapest stuff, I think a pound bag goes for about 6$ around me, but it has lasted me a bit over two weeks and counting.


Definitely my first choice sweetener.


Hope this helps

Chris

[smt1]

Xylitol is a pretty decent sugar alcohol- definitely better than Maltitol, which has almost as high GI as Sugar itself.

My favorite sugar alcohol is Erythritol however. It doesn't have any laxative effect unlike most of the other sugar alcohols because it does not enter the large intestine (it's mostly pissed out).

[ChrisBK]

Xylitol is a pretty decent sugar alcohol- definitely better than Maltitol, which has almost as high GI as Sugar itself.

My favorite sugar alcohol is Erythritol however. It doesn't have any laxative effect unlike most of the other sugar alcohols because it does not enter the large intestine (it's mostly pissed out).

I'll be sure to try that out my next trip to the store. How does it taste compared to Xyltiol?

[On Fire]

What about just skipping the sweeteners entirely?

[smt1]

I'll be sure to try that out my next trip to the store. How does it taste compared to Xyltiol?

Like Xyltiol, it takes like sugar. It's a bit less sweet though than either Xyltiol or sugar (about 70% as much). On the other hand, it has even less caloric content (a whopping 0.2 cal/g) than Xyltiol (2.4 cal/g).

[adidamps2]

I just use honey or Molassas...

[snorkelman]

Adding Xylitol to your coffee or tea in the morning may also have the effect of reducing levels in plaque in your teeth.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...0/?tool=pubmed

[smt1]

I just use honey or Molassas...

I'm not sure why things like honey is used as a sugar substitute (assuming your goal is to either reduce calories or carbohydrate intake, which it does neither of).

Typical Honey - 38% Fructose, 31% Glucose, 7.1% Maltose, 1.4% Sucrose, 2% other sugars
Sucrose (table sugar) - 50% Fructose, 50% Glucose

[sunngodd]

Sugar is 15 cals per teaspoon, just sayin.

[adidamps2]

I'm not sure why things like honey is used as a sugar substitute (assuming your goal is to either reduce calories or carbohydrate intake, which it does neither of).

Typical Honey - 38% Fructose, 31% Glucose, 7.1% Maltose, 1.4% Sucrose, 2% other sugars
Sucrose (table sugar) - 50% Fructose, 50% Glucose

One it taste better than table sugar and two it has a ton of other health benifit standard table sugar doesn't...same with molasses.

[ChrisBK]

Sugar is 15 cals per teaspoon, just sayin.

True, but also does not do much good for the body at all.

[snorkelman]

True, but also does not do much good for the body at all.

Can you explain what nutritional advantage honey offers over white table sugar? All I can see is the advantage for some of taste preference.

[Zody]

Sugar is 15 cals per teaspoon, just sayin.

repped.

/thread

[smt1]

Sugar is 15 cals per teaspoon, just sayin.

While this is true, and it's fine for things like sweetening a cup of coffee, if you're actually cooking something that needs sweetening, it (quickly) adds up.

[ChrisBK]

Can you explain what nutritional advantage honey offers over white table sugar? All I can see is the advantage for some of taste preference.

I think it was one of the other guys who prefers honey since I RARELY sweeten anything with honey.
Here's a small article.

http://vitaminusa.com/sugsweetpois.html

Honey does have it's health benefits, healthy enzymes and antioxidants, yet like all things, is something to take in moderation. Now you can say the same about sugar obviously, but I'd rather moderate something that will do my body at least some good, rather than just being empty calories and something that can weaken my immune system over time.

Now when I do have some, I stick with organic raw honey. Yeah, it costs a few more bucks, but it is avoids a lot of the heavy processing that goes into making the regular type. I'm pretty sure that the plain honey you find on deli shelves is also treated at high temperatures which kills off a lot of the good stuff in it, so in the end it's not as much of a benefit to your health as you would think.

[adidamps2]

Can you explain what nutritional advantage honey offers over white table sugar? All I can see is the advantage for some of taste preference.

try google:

Source of Vitamins and Minerals: Honey contains a variety of vitamins and minerals. The vitamin and mineral content of honey depends on the type of flowers used for apiculture.

Antibacterial and Antifungal Properties: Honey has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties and hence it can be used as a natural antiseptic.

Antioxidants: Honey contains nutraceuticals, which are effective in removing free radicals from our body. As a result, our body immunity is improved.

[snorkelman]

try google:

Source of Vitamins and Minerals: Honey contains a variety of vitamins and minerals. The vitamin and mineral content of honey depends on the type of flowers used for apiculture

Sorry, but I am not getting excited by the vitamin/mineral content of honey. According to the USDA nutrient database, 100 g (3.5 oz) of honey gives you a whopping 3% of the RDA for Riboflavin (Vit. B2), 1% RDA for Niacin (Vit. B3); 1% RDA for Pantothenic acid (B5); 2% Vitamin B6, 1% RDA for Folate (Vit. B9), 1% RDA for Vitamin C, 1% RDA for Calcium, 3% RDA for Iron, 15 RDA for Magnesium, 1% RDA for Phosphorus, 1% RDA for Potassium, zero % (4mg) RDA for Sodium,and 2% RDA for Zinc.

Antibacterial and Antifungal Properties: Honey has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties and hence it can be used as a natural antiseptic.

I'll admit that I have seen a rodent study that concluded that substituting honey in place of sugars in processed food can inhibit the harmful and genotoxic effects of mycotoxins, and improve the gut microflora. I have yet to see such a study done on humans.

Antioxidants: Honey contains nutraceuticals, which are effective in removing free radicals from our body. As a result, our body immunity is improved.

I am aware of honey-impregnated wound dressings being sold to help in resolve the state of inflammation typifying chronic wounds.

I look forward to seeing any science you come across that may change my mind.

[adidamps2]

you asked what nutritional advantage honey offers over white table sugar? I showed you and I could give to rat sh-t to try and change your mind though to choose it over table sugar.

[snorkelman]

I am open to changing my mind. I admitted certain benefits and that they just didn't excite me much. I commented not only to respond to you, but to also elicit further comments (either from you or others). I appreciate your response and I may very well change my outlook on honey. I suspect that our exchange may inspire others to post info in attempt to sway me...which is possible.

[Murderfox]

Just discovered NuStevia, it's stevia with the bitterness & nastiness extracted, only .4g carbs/ packet, expensive though, 50 packets for 6$. However it's REALLY good so gonna stick to that instead of splenda, aspartame, ect.

[Skullaway]

Sugar is 15 cals per teaspoon, just sayin.

Takes like 4 teaspoons or more to make coffee or a small tea taste sweet. That is 60 or more calories just to drink something, just sayin.

[Murderfox]

Takes like 4 teaspoons or more to make coffee or a small tea taste sweet. That is 60 or more calories just to drink something, just sayin.

^^ This.

[cyde]

For low calorie sweeteners, I like Sun Crystals. It's stevia cut with cane sugar and only 5 calories a pack. Stevia has a distinct taste, and it doesn't go well with some things. I like it in my coffee or tea.

Otherwise I'll just use raw cane sugar. It doesn't take much, and it's not hard to sweet a pack of sugar into your macros. I don't see a need to completely eliminate sugars from your diet if you're getting enough fiber from whole grains and vegetables. I understand it's a discipline thing. Most people can't even fathom being able to juggle and balance nutritionally void food and the healthy stuff. A little "dirt" in your clean bulk or whatever won't hinder the gains.

Takes like 4 teaspoons or more to make coffee or a small tea taste sweet. That is 60 or more calories just to drink something, just sayin.

Would you like some coffee with your sugar, cuz?

[fgfan1]

Just discovered NuStevia, it's stevia with the bitterness & nastiness extracted, only .4g carbs/ packet, expensive though, 50 packets for 6$. However it's REALLY good so gonna stick to that instead of splenda, aspartame, ect.

how is this different from truvia?

[Murderfox]

how is this different from truvia?

doesn't taste like metal & has .4g carb per packet while truvia has 3g.

[sunngodd]

That is 60 or more calories

[On Fire]

Takes like 4 teaspoons or more to make coffee or a small tea taste sweet. That is 60 or more calories just to drink something, just sayin.

Prefer my coffee and teas both black. Once you get used to it, you probably wont turn back.

[Skullaway]

When you are on a low cal diet it matters.

I could eat an orange that has nutrients and will fill my belly a little or drink some sugar that will do absolutely nothing for me. I would make the smart choice.

[fgfan1]

doesn't taste like metal & has .4g carb per packet while truvia has 3g.

wait, i though truvia had zero calories...somethings not right

[Murderfox]

wait, i though truvia had zero calories...somethings not right

I'm talking about carbs(sugar alch's) not cals, yes it is listed as 0 but it's a rounded number so it could be like 3-4 /packet.