Have you heard of erythritol and wonder what in the world it is? Here's all you need to know and why it's a fantastic sugar substitute!
The first time I ever saw or heard of erythritol I shunned it. I could barely say the name correctly let alone open my mind to using it. I was perfectly content with using stevia as my natural sugar free substitute and I still am and love my stevia.
I have been a stevia snob. But my good blogging friend Carolyn, from All Day I Dream About Food has been using it for a good long time and it peaked my curiosity, but again I've been happy with my recipes using stevia and I think all of you have as well.
Although I am perfectly content using stevia, I always receive many emails and comments saying some of you still find a bitter aftertaste even with the brands I recommend. I never taste an aftertaste and it must be because I'm so used to using it for so long now. My hubby will still notice in some no bake recipes or frosting so I decided over the last year to start experimenting with it.
Many of you know over the course of about 6 months I've been writing a cookbook and during this time I combined erythritol with stevia. I can only say that the results have been absolutely phenomenal in my baked goodies and treats. After attending BlogHer Food in Miami and speaking with the president of Swerve, I knew it was time to bring you some information here on the blog in hopes to enlighten you as well on this fantastic product.
WHAT IS ERYTHRITOL?
- It's pronounced, (a-rith-ri-tall).
- It is NOT an artificial sweetener like aspartame or Splenda. It is naturally occurring in plants and fruits and vegetables like grapes, melons and mushrooms.
- It is a sugar alcohol most often used in chewing gums, mouthwash, cough drops and mints.
- It has no calories and does not spike blood sugar. Zero on glycemic index. It is Non- GMO.
- Not to be confused with xylitol, sorbitol, maltitol which can cause gas, bloating and laxative effects.
- It measures cup for cup for sugar, but is only about 70% as sweet as table sugar. ( This is why combining it with stevia which is 300 times sweeter than sugar is a great choice).
IS IT SAFE & WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS?
I wouldn't be using it for my family or recommending it if I didn't believe in it as a safe product for my family and myself. Before it is even digested in the large intestine, it is absorbed into the bloodstream and basically eliminated unchanged.
So only about 10% actually enters into the small intestine. Because of this it does not typically cause any laxative effects like xylitol and maltitol would. We have been using it regularly with no problems in our family.
The season I like the brand Swerve is because I've tried other granular erythritol products from a few other brands and found them very gritty in the final product. Swerve has both a granular as well as a confectioner's sugar type product.
Both work well in baked goods, but of course when you want a recipe to have the look of confectioner's sugar that choice would be best. Mostly to bake I've been using the granular, but again either would work well.
Today Swerve has kindly offered to give away samples to 3 Sugar-Free Mom readers. You can choose between the granular version or the confectioner's version. Both are 1 pound in weight.
THIS GIVE AWAY IS NOW CLOSED.
Just enter the rafflecopter below for your chance to win some Swerve! 3 winners will be chosen. Contest ends on June 21, 2014 at midnight, EST. USA residents only please. Winners will be notified via email. Winners will have 48 hours.
References:
https://www.livestrong.com/article/497773-erythritol-vs-stevia-vs-xylitol/
https://altmedicine.about.com/od/herbsupplementguide/a/erythritol.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erythritol
Disclosure: I have not been compensated for this post. Swerve sweetener provided me samples of their product to try as well as product to provide for this give away. All opinions are 100% my own.
About Brenda
Brenda Bennett is a certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, certified Sugar Detox Coach, certified Keto Coach and certified Life Coach. She has been Sugar Free & Refined carb free for 17 years and has written 2 cookbooks, Sugar-Free Mom, and Naturally Keto and her 3rd book The 30-Day Sugar Elimination Diet, is a four part program to help you detox from sugar, eliminate cravings, balance blood sugar and lose weight all while eating a delicious, nutrient dense whole foods. Meal plan offers two tracks to follow, low carb or keto. She is the founder of the Sugar Free Fresh Start course and Sugar Free Tribe weight loss membership. Learn more.
Jennifer
would love to try this!!!
Anna
This looks great!
Jenn @ Deliciously Sprinkled
Interesting, I would love to try it out! 🙂
Eva@Whole Food Mom on a Budget
I've used Truvia and THM Sweet Blend but I've never tried Swerve.
Joyce
I have tried Swerve and it is my favorite for baking. Have not tried the confectioners yet but am planning on doing it soon since I have a cake recipe I am wanting to try.
Sheri
I am also a Stevia fan, but would love to try Swerve!
Jan Johnson
I love erythritol and stevia together - I want a recipe to make my own, though, to see if I can save some money! I would love to try the confectioner's erythritol!
Bridget
I have!
nancy m
I love your help with making my life as sugar free as possible. I was wondering how to find out the nutritional value of a recipe if you make changes to the ingredients? The one I'm thinking of doesn't list the nutritional content to begin with, so I don't know where to start. Any tips?
Thank you for what you do!
Malinda
Have been sugar free for 4 months. Would really love to try this.
Trish
Haven't heard of this product. Can't wait to try it!
Lisa Thomas
I've never tried it, but have always wanted to. Unfortunately it's not available in the local stores, and I hated to pay a shipping charge for something I may or may not like.
Liz
Free shipping on done on eBay
Golnaz Bozorgzad
Hi,
I second what Mollie says for it possibly being a good subsitute for people with IBS. I"ve tried everything imaginable, and cannot fathom the idea of living without sweets! Can't wait to try, thanks for the info and the contest!! 🙂
Diane
Looking forward to trying this. I am embracing the sugar free lifestyle.
Kelly
I've never tried it. Would love to!
Jenni M.
i am very interested, i've never heard of this
Juliana Pace
No, I have not tried this!
Juliana Pace
Would just love to win this...maybe I'd even want to bake more or it would inspire my hubby baker to bake more! I am diabetic plus we are wheat free, too. Would be nice to try this!
Mollie
Haven't tried this, but am curious. Sounds like a great substitute for someone with IBS- artificial sweetners wreak havoc!
Alexia T
Yes... I love it!
Debi Bonilla
I have used this for a while now just have not heard of the brand Swerve. I love it and mix it with coconut sugar or stevia. Have not tried the powdered though.. Thanks for the information though..
Kellie @ The Suburban Soapbox
Thanks for the education! I really didn't know what this was or anything about Swerve, so helpful!
Stephanie @ Back For Seconds
I have not tried it before but I am certainly intrigued!
Twila
I've never tried Erythritol. Right now I have such an array of other sweeteners in my cupboard I felt a bit guilty to buy it, but would live to win some!
Kris
I'm totally interested to try this out! Thanks for the info!