The Big BLOB Weight Loss Blog

OK … so I got slightly over my baking disaster (I am a good baker) and decided to look up the splenda site.

Because I am in Canada, I went to the Canadian Splenda Site … the American Site is actually a bit different, similar content though.

So … I find the baking section and BEHOLD … there are a PILE of differences in baking with Splenda. So I’m annoyed all over again. Why don’t they put this information on their package instead of implying it is virtually the same.

NOW when I read the fine print, I see that they didn’t actually lie, they just don’t come out and say … “HEY dude, make sure you check out the website before you use this in your regular recipes. ”

Anyhow … to give them credit, the Canadian website is great. There are loads of tips and hints about cooking and baking with Splenda and there are loads of recipes.

This one I’m going to try … maybe even tonight. Molten Centre Chocolate Raspberry Cake. I’ll let you know how it turns out.

AND … though I am pretty good on eliminating the need (or desire) for sugar, I DO have the occasional craving, so I guess another few of the following cook books are on my wish list.

Melanie

Fantastic Food with Splenda: 160 Great Recipes for Meals Low in Sugar, Carbohydrates, Fat, and Calories

The SPLENDA World of Sweetness: Recipes for Homemade Desserts and Delicious Drinks

In the past week I have had this incredible urge for CHOCOLATE and for something sweet. So last night I finally gave in and decided to make my favorite brownie recipe.

I have been making this recipe for over 15 years, it is great … dense, slightly gooey brownies which can be made with the bakers chocolate chunks or with cocoa powder.

Since I have been working at cutting down on sugar and carbs, I thought I’d give the Splenda sugar substitute a go.

Now, I’m NOT imagining this … on their package it says .. “Measures cup for cup like sugar. Great for Cooking and Baking.”

So ma I crazy or what, but doesn’t that IMPLY you can use it in your regular baking recipes? That’s what I understood so I blithely started making the very recipe I’ve made hundreds of times over the years.

My first inkling that something was wrong, was when I dumped in the cup of Splenda. The consistency and texture was very different than usual. But, you know I am still believing the advertising, so I keep on going. I mixed in the rest of the ingredients.

My second inkling that something was wrong, happened when I went to pour the batter into the baking dish. Sheesh … it didn’t even cover the bottom of the pan … the same pan I have used for the past FIVE years. HMMMMMMM I said to myself. This is weird.

As the “concoction,” which I now was quite skeptical about, baked. I took my “prize” of the raw batter. YES, I am still a kid. I will admit out here in public that I lick the bowl … and not only do I lick the bowl, but I make sure there is lots to lick! Third inkling that something was wrong … it tasted different and WAY too sweet.

Finally the timer went off and I hauled the MESS out of the oven. Much of the oil in the recipe was now floating on top of a very unappetizing HARD lump of something that didn’t even come near the ooooy gooey incredibly wonderful brownies I was looking forward to.

BOOOOOOOOO ON YOU SPLENDA.

I know that Splenda has a website with recipes and once I overcome my sheer disappointment at the mess I created, I might see if they have a brownie recipe for the next time I have a craving.

I have also seen several “With Splenda” recipe books in the various bookstores and on Amazon. But … for now, I am just TOTALLY annoyed at Splenda for what I consider to be misleading advertising. It is NOT just like sugar. It cannot be used “virtually everwhere sugar is used, even in cooking and baking.”

Total bummer. One Day later and one Splenda cooking disaster later … I am STILL craving a hit of chocolate!

Melanie

Marlene Koch\’s Sensational Splenda Recipes: Over 375 Recipes Low in Sugar, Fat, and Calories

Cooking Healthy with Splenda (R)

WHEY LOW

What is it? Whey Low is a comgination of 3 naturally occuring sugars … fructose, lactose and sucrose. The manufacturers tell us that because the three sugars compete for absorption into the bloodstream, only 25% of the calories are actually absorbed. Hmmmm.

Where Can You Find It? It is sold in various forms … granular, brown sugar substitute, and powder. You can locate it in natural food or health food stores or on the Internet. I have provided some links below even though I am telling you to save your money and buy sugar.

Taste Test: It tastes like table sugar (probably because, it IS table sugar!)

Is it safe? Not yet approved by the FDA, but it is made up of three common sugars that are considered quite safe (to whom?). Now the manufacturers of this product say it is low glycemic and that it is safe for Diabetics … but HOLD ON!

It is composed of three sugars. First of all I can’t figure out why this product is found in the “natural” food stores because then they should be calling sugar “natural”!

Look closely at the sugar count:

1) SUCROSE … Well duh … this is regular table sugar. So far what we got is straight carbs.

2) FRUCTOSE … This is fruit sugar. It indeed has a lower glycemic index than sucrose, but it is still sugar. Hmmmm sounds like MORE carbs

3) LACTOSE … This is milk sugar. Again SUGAR! OK, but am I missing something here? More carbs!

How exactly is this safe for Diabetics? How exactly did they get to classify this as low carb? Sounds very fishy to me.

So if you still think that a sugar substitute that is made of nothing but sugar is a good idea you can spend your money here ….

Whey Low Gold, 1 lb.

I think I need a new “ARE YOU KIDDING” category!!

Melanie

LO HAN

What is it?

Lo Han sweetner is extracted from a plant that is a member of the cucumber and squash family. It is a fruit that is grown in the mountains of Southern China. It is supposed to be 250 times sweeter than sugar.

Just a bit of a tangent here. Sugar is pretty sweet … so if something was twice as sweet how would you know that? So how on earth do they measure that something is 250 times sweeter than sugar? By weight? By volume? Or do “they” just say, “Oh this is soooooo sweet, it must taste 250 times sweeter than sugar!” I’m OK now, sometimes I just wonder about strange things!

The really interesting thing about Lo Han is that it has been used for centuries, in China, for congesting, colds and sore throats.

Where can you find it? You’ll have to visit a BIG city health food store for this, since it is not nearly as well know as Stevia or a few of the other alternatives. I’ve also included some links for you to purchase it over the Internet. It comes in liquid and powder form. It can be used as a cooking alternative.

Taste Test: OK … so here’s were some of your genetics come into play. Some people say it is metallic and bitter. Other people say it has NO after taste at all! So if you are trying it for the first time, get the smallest container you can, because metallic and bitter is NO fun at all. Brings licking copper pipes to mind!

Is it safe? According to the Chinese it is. According to the FDA, it hasn’t been approved.

For those that know what this means … Lo Han has a LOW glycemic index, so this along with Stevia is a good alternative for Diabetics.

Lo Han is stable in heat so you can use it in cooking and baking.

Two alternative names you might see … lo han kuo and luo han kuo

Lo Han Sweet 80 Grams

AGAVE

Madhava Raw Agave Nectar, Organic, 17-Ounce Bottles (Pack of 12)

What is it? Agave is a cactus like plant that is found growing in Mexico. In fact … it is what gives Tequilla the tequilla taste!

The Nectar extracted from the Agave plant is mostly fructose (fruit sugar) and is absorbed into the blood stream more slowly than regular sugar. It is MUCH sweeter than sugar so you need less of it.

Where can you get it? I’ll include some Internet ordering links below, but also check out your local health or natural food stores.

The taste test: Agave is very sweet and tastes somewhat like maple sugar. No reports of an aftertaste.

Is it safe? It’s been used for eons and there are no reports on problems associated with its use. However the lack of negative reports could be because very few studies have been done. As with everything, use in moderation.

Here’s more information about agave from the Wikipedia

Order Agave Nectar and give it a try.

Madhava Raw Agave Nectar, Organic, 17-Ounce Bottles (Pack of 12)

Raw Revolution Organic Live Food Bars, Coconut Agave Nectar, 2.2-Ounce Bars (Pack of 12)

I was in the organic food store the other day, checkout out their “natural” sweetners section. There is huge controversy on the artificial sweeteners … aspartame vs saccharin vs splenda etc.

The “natural” line of sweetners have been around for eons, but are they safe and which ones pass the taste tests?

I’ll start off by doing mini-reviews, recaping my research findings on the following four. By the time I’ve finished with them, I’ll probably have found more.

Agave

Whey Low

Stevia

Lo Han

I’ll start with STEVIA because I have used it for years and it seems to be the most publicized.

What is it? Stevia is an extract from a South American plant. It is billed as being 300 times sweeter than sugar.

Where can you find it? Most health food and natural food stores carry several versions (liquid and tablets … and I’ll provide some Internet sources below.

Taste test. Yes it is very sweet, but can leave a bit of a metallic aftertaste in your mouth.

Health benefits or concerns: Some studies have found that Stevia lowers blood sugars and helps control blood pressure. Studies indicate that it is safe for humans, but high doses have caused fertility and metabolic problems in animal studies. [In these animal studies “high” means really HIGH!]

In Japan they are using Stevia commercially in food products and in diet drink products. So why isn’t it as prevalent here? The sugar and aspartame lobbies are doing their best to keep this natural product out of the main stream.

For more information: Check out CBC’s Marketplace report

Stevia Sweet Recipes: Sugar-Free-Naturally

Order Stevia and try it!

SweetLeaf Liquid Stevia, Vanilla Crème, 2-Ounce Bottles (Pack of 2)

SweetLeaf SteviaPlus Fiber Packets, 100-Count Boxes (Pack of 2)