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.
Yvonne
This sounds like a great product and an excellent substitute for sweeteners! I would love to try it!!!
Agnes
I usually use Erythritol and like it very much!
Linda B
I love Swerve, I just wish it was available in stores, and had a better price. I use both types, but the confectioners made it possible to have cream cheese frosting again.
Linda Duke
Just embarked on Sarah Wilson's 8 week I Quit Sugar program (won't deny that I'm struggling with cravings, but so far so good!) Cannot seem to get Swerve products in Australia, so just in case you post outside of the US thought I'd put my comment in here! Also congratulations on getting your book in for publishing that is a huge achievement - make sure you enjoy a summer break somewhere to celebrate!
Brenda
Good luck on your detox program with Sarah! That's too bad you can't get erythritol in Australia, but thanks for letting me know. I wonder if replacing rice malt syrup might work in the same amount of erythritol. I will have to experiment with it.
Taylor
I've tried it and i love it.
Amanda
Can't wait to try it out and I'm so happy to read that it is GMO free!!!!
Irene
Would love to try this product!
Karen
I have not tried it, but I would like to.
vickie
I finally bought some the other day. Not sure why I waited so long to try it but glad I did!
Gaby
I have and actually like it a lot more than stevia but have been unsure of how natural it is compared to stevia. I want to start using it more!
Marjory @ Dinner-Mom
Would love to try this product. I'm slowly trying to convert some of my favorite recipes/treats to be sugar-free. I find you site so helpful. 🙂
Beva Bradford
Love your blog. I am unable to eat sugar. I would love to try this product. I have never even heard of it.
Cathy M.
I love Swerve! It is my sweetener of choice. I've used both the granular and the confectioners variety. Wish it was more readily available. Would love to win this offer!
jeanne
Thanks for the helpful post. I have not tried it but would love to try it out sometime!
Jennifer P
I've never used erythritol but would love to.
Nicole Rice
So excited to try this!
Nic
I don't know what I'd do without erythritol, honestly! I love using Z-Sweet (a combination of erythritol and stevia), but I'd be very interested in trying Swerve to compare the two.
Susan
In in-laws use Stevia but I'm going to share this post with them since I think she still uses regular sugar for baking. Also I've been trying forever to get my dad off of artificial sweetener. All great information to send his way!
jen
I can't wait to try this!
Cassidy Turner
I have yet to try Swerve but would love to win some! 😛
Jolene
I love my erythritol and NuNaturals stevia! Swerve is supposed to soon be coming to SoCal....can't wait!! 😀
c
I love swerve!
Paula - bell'alimento
I wouldn't have been able to pronounce that either : ) Thanks for the info.
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes
I have never tried erythritol but Swerve just sent me some samples so I will be trying it soon!!
Sara
I have not baked with erythritol before, but I have had it in the no-sugar-added coconut ice cream products from So Delicious. I had no idea erythritol was available for the home kitchen! Very exciting, especially the powdered sugar Swerve, because I've been wanting a good substitute for regular powdered sugar for such a long time and didn't know of anything.