Don’t be discouraged!  We’ve been looking at sugar alternatives and have found many that are dangerous or even deadly.  There are still plenty of options left for us, though. One of these is Xylitol. Xylitol is found in many fruits, such as plums, and even some tree barks.  It is as sweet as sugar, but has 40% fewer calories and 75% fewer carbohydrates. It has a very low glycemic index  rating of 8.

Xylitol is a good choice for baking because it is heat stable.  Also, it substitutes for sugar 1 to 1, so no recipe adjustment is necessary.

And — surprise — it protects against tooth decay.  That’s a big improvement over table sugar!

Side effects?  Only if you eat too much of it or are particularly sensitive to it.  An overdose causes gas, bloating, and diarrhea.  Not fun.  One thing about this side effect, it will keep you from pigging out.  If you have a bingeing habit, the uncomfortable side effects might work to your advantage.

Any down sides of Xylitol?  None for your health — but a sad one for your budget.  A five pound bag costs between $20 and $25 dollars.  Ouch.  That doesn’t compare favorably to the $3 to $4 you could expect to spend at the grocery store for a five pound bag of sugar.

Keep it in perspective, though.  Sugar is cheaper, but destructive to your body.  If you want something sweet, it may be worth the extra money to buy Xylitol which won’t harm you — unless you overindulge!

Eating to live and living for Christ,

Susan Jordan Brown