ok.... i just got my "Just Like Sugar".... only had a little lick. tastes pretty good. no aftertaste or bitterness.

what's weird is that the nutrition info is not "per serving" - its for 100 grams = 97 cals

one TSP = 2 grams.

Really interesting! I'd never heard of "Just Like Sugar" before... just read the web site and a couple of research papers it cited.


Not a bad thing to find! ... yet!

it does not seem to be a sugar alcohol.... so i am kind of hopeful about it.

I won't hold my breath. Not normally pessimistic, but seems my body doesn't do well with anything sweet - regardless of the addicted part of my brain!

ALL you ladies here are enough Alternative Sweetness for me!

Sigh--- sweetners! I sooooooo loved Splenda and that has been my hardest sacrifice. I REALLY want to love stevia - alas I do not! I resort to saccharin but feel guilty. Sugar alcohols KILL my stomach and I am not tempted by them at all. I have tried liquid stevia and dry. Trivia was better, but I know it is out too. Any ideas?

well, i melted some unsweetened ghirardelli 100% choc and mixed in some of the Just Like Sugar..... and of course they lied.... it does have an aftertaste. i think its better than stevia's aftertaste, but i think i need to give up anything resembling "sweet" until i heal my leaky gut issues once and for all.

Sugar alcohols and Splenda and saccharin will kill more than just your stomach, though it will all start there!

What aspertame does to the brain --> [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

And I blogged on Splenda on the HCG forum last November:

Quote:

BEWARE: SUCRALOSE = SPLENDA from [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] Sucralose is made by chemically altering the structure of sugar molecules by adding chlorine atoms in place of hydroxyl groups.(Everything You Need to Know About Sucralose, International Food Information Council ) Sucralose is therefore chlorinated sugar; a chlorocarbon. Chlorocarbons are poisonous; they're used in bleach, disinfectants, insecticide, poison gas, and hydrocholric acid. ([You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] Because it technically started as sugar, sucralose can be marketed as "made from sugar." ... The US FDA approved sucralose in 1998, but it has not yet been approved in most European nations. In the pre-approval stage, the FDA conducted short-term tests that actually found the potential for toxicity, but it was approved anyway. According to the "New Scientist" November 23 1991 edition on page 13, the pre-approval tests conducted on animals (you know how much I hate these tests) showed toxicity: •Shrunken thymus glands (up to 40% shrinkage) •Enlarged liver and kidneys •Atrophy of lymph follicles in the spleen and thymus •Increased cecal weight •Reduced growth rate •Decreased red blood cell count •Hyperplasia of the pelvis •Extension of the pregnancy period •Aborted pregnancy •Decreased fetal body weights and placental weights •Diarrhea

Bad stuff, for sure. I've still got some of the "hyperplasia of the pelvis" issues from using it for about six months before it started giving me diarhea and I HAD to stop using it. I didn't know where the bleeding was coming from until I researched Splenda to warn others about it on the HCG forum. I was thinking it was "just" the diarrhea that made it bad to use ... SO WRONG. We should be so lucky to "only" get diarrhea from it!

Regarding stevia, I think most people use too much. I put the tip of a McDonald's straw in my powdered stevia and shake it once into my drink or whatever I'm trying to sweeten. At first I used WAY too much and it was bitter and I was disgusted. Then I figured I need to try using less and less ... and less. Just HAD to be a way to use it since I'd bought two of the smallest containers of it from Nutsoline.com And I finally got down to barely a sprinkle of it and it is WAY sweet enough! Just opened the 2nd container and I've had the stuff since January! I use it daily, too. Before the first of the year I was spending a fortune on liquid stevia in flavors from Sweet Leaf ... loved the stuff but way too expensive to continue forever.

I know I should stop but I am a splenda girl. I use the NOW Stevia and it isn't bad but it just doesn't do it like splenda. So much to give up...seems like one small thing I can keep...well, that and the wine! Sigh.

aspartame turns into formaldehyde in the body.... nice

hate aspartame, stevia tastes bitter to me, xylitol is birch based and I am allergic, dislike splenda, lol lucky for me we have cyclamates in Sugar Twin. little to no after taste, been in use up here for over 40 years.

I use the Kal Stevia. It comes as a powder and the ingredients say 100@% Stevia. You only need to use a tiny amount and I like it a lot...too much. I have cut it out for a while...got to where I kept using more and more...should just break the sweet habit altogether. I got a BG meter and plan on testing my reaction to the Kal...once I get passed the whole "letting of blood" thing!

I wonder what Dr. Kruse thinks of cyclamates. I think I have friends that could mail me some.

I remember when cyclamates were on the market and thought they were great! Would love to have some to use. In the meantime, I found that for me, I like the liquid stevia from Sweet Leaf. Now brand powder is OK. I've got 2 other brands that I can't stand at all. It is all in the processing as well as how much you use. Stevia is something that tastes different on every tongue and if you want to use it, you have to find the brand that suits your personal taste. I also use xylitol now and again if I am baking or mixing something big that will be eaten in little bites.

I've got 5 bags of Splenda for sale!!!

is this the stuff maile? if it was banned in the US they are selling it on amazon...

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Googling cyclamates I realized what I used at age 8 was "Sucaryl" and I moved on to Sugar Twin when their packets came out and were easy to carry.

OK === I know Aspartame is awful -- but I am not convinced on Splenda! But I have given it up for the 40 days I am on HCG.I am tempted by the cyclamatees - is the one that Christine put up the Amazon link to -- is that the same product sold in Canada and is cyclamate? I absolutely LOVE the Torani caramel syrup that is made with Splenda -- I miss it more than anything since I have started HCG. I have even gotten used to 1 T skim milk in my coffee more than I have missing my caramel syrup! I wish I knew if the cyclamates would affect me in the LR.

When I googled it and read the ingredients - I would be wary of the Sugar Twin as it has dextrose listed as the first ingredient. I might try the liquid as it is pure cyclamate. Any thoughts - I would think this would be like using Truvua which is not encouraged either!

I`ve used both the liquid and the powder and don`t have problems with it in either form

yes that appears to be the brand but I just went to Sugar Twin web site and the ingredients are different between the 2 brands and the one on Amazon is only for sale in the US
Sugar Twin Comparison

if you want the cyclamates then I`d go through a Canadian source
here`s one
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Be careful with Sugar Twin. Here is the information from the website you linked to:

SugarTwin® Original Packets



Dextrose, sodium cyclamate 33%.

Contains sodium cyclamate. Take only on the advice of a physician.


SugarTwin® Granulated White



Maltodextrin, sodium cyclamate 33%.

Contains sodium cyclamate. Take only on the advice of a physician.


SugarTwin® Granulated Brown



Maltodextrin, sodium cyclamate 32%, caramel colour, artificial flavours.

Contains sodium cyclamate. Take only on the advice of a physician.


Liquid SugarTwin®



Water, sodium cyclamate 10%, benzoic acid, methyl paraben.

Contains sodium cyclamate. Take only on the advice of a physician.


Dextrose is sugar.
Maltodextrin is sugar.
Liquid Sugar Twin contains sodium cyclamate and methly paraben. Methyl paraben is a preservative and is found in many injectable drugs. Sodium cyclamate is actually approved for use in the USA. The FDA reversed their decades long decision to not allow it but the US manufacturer stopped making if for US use because of the bad publicity and public memory with it. I used to work for that company many years ago. It is currently made in Canada and I think in the EU somewhere.

I would skip this product if you want to keep your sodium under control and to avoid sugar since the dry product contains one of two kinds of sugar.

Stevia in the Raw also contains maltodextrin so it is in fact not sugarless. Maltodextrin is a polymer of dextrose it adds sweetness and will likely boost your insulin even if it does not contribute many calories of sugar.

I agree - I only want the liquid kind. I have bought EZ-Sweet which is pure liquid Splenda - no sugar alcohols like the powder and I love it. If this does not work I may just use it as I cannot stand Stevia.

During my last P3-P4 period I discovered Erythritol, a sugar alcohol that did not upset my stomach at all. It is only 70% as sweet as sugar so you have to either use more or mix with other sweetners, which I usually did with Stevia. It cooks much like sugar but has a weird cooling effect when heated so it is a bit tricky to cook with. Otherwise, I am strictly Stevia liquid (no alcohol, no other additives).

I made the mistake of trying to use Xylitol, it made my stomach a mess and my wife nearly made me sleep in the garage.

shoot... i already ordered the sugar twin from amazon.... maybe i'll return it.

what i find annoying about amazon is not all the vendors will list the full nutrition info.... i should have known.

i really just need to go cold turkey.

LAKANTO

I have used this and it is very good. Sometimes I will grind it into a powder if I want a smoother coco crack. BUT.... it is like $40 a pound, which is why I was searching for something else. It does not have the laxative effect of xylitol.

Like I said, I need to go cold turkey.


source: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
"Lakanto" Luo Han Guo Fruit + Fermented Erythritol

"Lakanto is a mixture of Non-GMO erythritol and the super sweet extract of the luo han guo fruit.

Erythritol is another sugar alcohol like xylitol. It is naturally found in grapes, pears, mushrooms, soysauce, cheese, wine and beer, so it and has been part of the human diet for thousands of years.

Erythritol is different and much better than other sugar alcohols like Xylitol because it is FERMENTED. It is made by fermenting the sugar in corn.

Many people have trouble with foods sweetened with sugar alcohols. Diarrhea and gas and bloating are frequent complaints. But Lakanto does not cause diarrhea, gas and bloating. We believe it may be because Lakanto is made by fermentation while the other sugar alcohols are made from hydrogenation.

The Erythritol in Lakanto is:

Specially fermented from non-GMO corn so that you know it's safe.
Naturally low calorie because your body excretes about 90% of it.

The 10% that remains in your system turns into harmless gases and short chain fatty acids in your large intestine. (NO, Lakanto will NOT cause embarrassing flatulence.)

Erythritol is sweet, but when used alone in a product does not taste like sugar.Only when it was combined with the sweet-tasting and medicinal fruit luo han guo...in a unique patented process...was Saraya able to create an amazing replica of sugar. The exotic luo han guo fruit grows high in the Chinese mountains, in the Guangxi province.

People in China have used it for years as a sweetener and folk remedy for coughs, fevers, phlegm, and digestive distress. The extract of the luo han guo fruit is 300 times sweeter than sugar, with virtually no calories, and is one of the key "secrets" that makes Lakanto one of THE ideal natural sweeteners!

The Chinese have been using luo han guo fruit as a sweetener and natural remedy for years. They dry the fruit, which has a sweet toffee or caramel-like flavor,and use it in teas to ease fever, coughing and phlegm. They even use the tea for digestive troubles.

In fact, the Chinese call luo han guo the "longevity fruit," because the people who live where it is cultivated often reach the ripe old age of 100!

Scientists have studied luo han guo and its health benefits extensively, and they've found that this rare fruit has amazing health properties.

Studies have shown that mogrosides (compounds found in the extract of luo hanguo) have these properties:

Anti-carcinogenic
Regulate blood sugar
Able to prevent and decrease oxidative stress related to diabetes
Prevent tooth decay
Anti-inflammatory
Inhibit tumor growth
Antioxidant
Antihistiminic

The luo han guo fruit is naturally sweet. In fact, the special extract is 300 times sweeter than sucrose!

Because luo han guo extract is sweet without affecting blood sugar, it is perfect for a healthy sugar substitute.

Luo han guo extract in Body Ecology's Lakanto product has:


Zero calories. Your body does not break down the unique chemical components of the fruit like other simple sugars and carbohydrates.
Zero glycemic index. Because your body metabolizes luo han guo differently, your blood glucose and insulin levels do not rise like they do with other sugars.
Zero additives. Lakanto is made of the natural extract of the luo han guo fruit and erythritol.

Together, the extract of luo han guo and erythritol make one of the best healthy natural sweetener discoveries of the century ..."

Luo Han is what sweetens the Mercola Miracle Whey Protein. Have any of you tried Kal Stevia Extract Powder? I love the stuff. It comes with its own tiny scoop which equals 1/32 of a teaspoon. I just made the Pumpkin Custard Recipe using about 12 scoops of Kal Stevia and it tasted yummy even before baking it. It doesn't have the bitter aftertaste that many Stevias do. I also use it in my Cocoa Crack and in my Fage (5 scoops per cup of Fage).

There is a liquid version available to which I haven't yet tried. Iherb.com usually has Kal Stevia in stock.

But it wouldn't work if you need to substitute for brown sugar in a recipe. I think 1 teaspoon Kal Stevia equals 1 cup of sugar. When making many recipes, you need to replace some of the volume of regular sugar such as adding some unsweetened applesauce along with the Stevia.

i should really give KAL a try... many people say it is the best stevia...

KAL is the only Stevia and I am his Prophet


[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

LOL Q!!!


I have said this before and will say it again... 'all the wonderful Ladies here are all the Alternative Sweetness I need."

So Kal is really that much better? I guess I need to try it too. Is it only sold online?

KAL it is!

Hi there, Im new here but I must put in my .02 cents on this topic.

First I must say Im excited to try the Lankato, if I can find a somewhat small container of it somewhere. I like the idea of fermented foods and natural sweeteners.

And on that topic I am a stevia fan. Im sensitive to the xylitol and have yet to try erythritol. And like has been mentioned above Kal is a very good option. It is great to have when using a lot of stevia and/or if you want things super sweet because a little goes a long way. I find it economical that way too. I do like Kal its very good. I think it still has a little bit of an aftertaste, but it is my second favorite stevia...

My favorite however.... is... drum roll ..... Omni Balance with Stevia. It is a blend of mostly stevia and a little bit of chickory to cut the aftertaste. I buy it from my naturopath, and I must say Ive been using it for years. Naturopathy is actually licensed here in AZ and so its a pretty good market for lots of natural products. Lots of friends of mine us it and we swear by it! It is expensive, like most alternative sweeteners, but if you can find it it is really wonderful. And I also like to mix it whenever Im making my low carb coconut macaroons or my almond butter chocolate, with the simple easy to find vanilla cream stevia liquid, made by sweetleaf

Sadly, erythritol gives me migraines so I cannot use it. Found out when I tried Truvia.

the Lakanto i got was from Body Ecology... and it was ridiculous at @ $40.00. I got "Just Like Sugar" which is chicory root... it still has an aftertaste.... i melted good unsweetened chocolate and added it - but its a disappointment.

@Christine
Im new to Paleo/Kruse and I cant remember if nuts are allowed, but when I add a little bit of almond butter to my chocolate it is really good. I make 1 tbs cocoa pwdr, 1 tbs coconut oil, 1 tbs raw almond butter, a bit of omni balance to taste, a few drops of vanilla cream liquid stevia, and kosher sea salt. It makes about 3 or 4 little chocolates, perfect for a lil something sweet. I havent made any in a while, so forgive me if no nuts are allowed by Kruse. Also I found that a little bit of salt helps the good sweetness come out.

ok.... got my KAL stevia. haven't tried it yet. BUT also got KAL stevia in packets, says with "Plus Luo Han".... then I read the ingredients and it says: other ingredients: MALTODEXTRIN

BASTARDS!!!!

i am getting to hate Amazon b/c these vendors are not displaying the nutrition info on a lot of stuff. Same thing happened with the Sugar Twin I ordered. UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I go to the product web sites almost always now when I see something on Amazon if I'm not already familiar with it. If the web site doesn't offer the ingredients list I don't buy it. Burned too many times! Can you send it back?

Regarding Stevia, it has definitely taken some getting used to for me, but like one of my WW leaders said over and over "if You hang by your feet long enough you can get to like it". I tried Xylitol and it upsets my stomach, so that's out. I have started using coconut palm sugar and stevia in "baking", and that has been working out well.