Sugar Alternatives, good or bad?

[michael]

The Stevita brand "spoonable stevia" that I use (comes in small packets suitable for storing in one's wallet when dining out) contains equal amounts of Stevia and Erythritol.

[Freesia]

I always forget about date sugar because I never have any...and just breeze by it in the grocery store. My mother makes some mean zuchini bread and carrot cake with date sugar and the non-hydrogenated Tofutti cream cheese(that means its healthy cream cheese)

 

I think I will bake some next time we have cake or for the holidays. Care to share moms recipe?

[Guest]

I'll get them when I go home...but I'm not too sure if she even uses a recipe. I figure she may just double the butter amount with cream cheese or something and maybe double the sugar amount with dates

[ljk11]

I thought xylitol was a sugar alcohol - like mannitol and sorbitol? Those are horrible on the GI system

[michael]

I thought xylitol was a sugar alcohol - like mannitol and sorbitol? Those are horrible on the GI system.

 

Since the human body makes up to 15 grams of xylitol daiy in normal glucose metabolism, the enzymes are already in place to handle it. Vegans generally obtain more xylitol daily than omnivores simply because they consume a greater quantity of fruits, grains and vegetables of which xylitol is a natural constituent. You're probably ingesting at least 2-4 grams daily on average. Most adults can easily handle 40 gm per day (about 12 teaspoons). In a week or two, with increased enzymatic activity to compensate, greater amounts become easily tolerated. I can consume at least 1/2 cup and not feel any the worse for wear.

 

Sorbitol and most other polyols go through the intestines, fermenting, instead of being digested and then broken down and absorbed. As it ferments, it produces gases and drags fluids through, promoting diarrhea. Sorbitol does occur naturally in plums, apples, cherries and grapes but is present in too small an amount to cause gastric distress.