Xylitol is a naturally occurring low-calorie sweetener found in fruits, vegetables and certain hardwoods. Our bodies can produce up to 15 grams of Xylitol per day from the foods we consume. Xylitol produces a lower glycemic response than sucrose or glucose so it has minimal side effects on blood sugar and insulin. It is not as low as erythritol, but some people prefer the taste of Xylitol as compared to erythritol.
Here are some of the Benefits:
1. 40% fewer calories than sugar.
2. Researchers found that kids who consistently chewed Xylitol gum had 40% fewer ear infections than those who did not.
3. Pregnant women benefit from Xylitol to keep their teeth healthy especially during the third trimester, when teeth are especially soft.
4. Eating Xylitol gum or mints stimulates saliva flow. This will protect your teeth because it brings the PH levels close to neutral. (diet soda has a pH 2.2)
5. Reduces tooth decay: If you drink acidic sports drinks frequently, eat carbohydrates often and spend hours dehydrated and breathing through a dry acidic mouth, such as athletes and teenagers, these are risk factors for tooth decay. Xylitol can help.
6. Studies show that a consistent use of at least 6-8 grams if Xylitol daily can reduce cavities as much as 80%. If you already have gum disease or cavities, these problems can be reversed. Regular use of Xylitol can stop things from getting worse (along with a grain-free diet and increased consumption of fat soluble vitamins A, D, E and K).
1/2 cup organic veggie or chicken broth
1 1/2 TBS minced fresh ginger root
3 TBS organic tamari (soy sauce)
3 TBS natural peanut butter or sunbutter
1 1/2 TBS NATURES-HOLLOW xylitol honey
2 tsp hot chile paste (optional)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 head of cabbage
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1/4 cup chopped peanuts or sunflower seeds
Cut cabbage into long noodle-like strips. Combine chicken broth, ginger, tamari sauce, peanut butter, xylitol honey, chili paste, and garlic in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat until peanut butter melts and is heated through. Add cabbage "noodles", and toss to coat. Stir fry cabbage until they are soft like noodles. Garnish with green onions and peanuts. Makes 4 servings.
NUTRITIONAL COMPARISON (per serving)
Traditional Peanut Noodles = 330 calories, 12g fat, 47 carbs, 1.9g fiber, 10.7g protein
"Healthified" Peanut Noodles = 160 calories, 12g fat, 8 carbs, 1.8g fiber, 10.1g protein
Hi Maria,
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to let you know i made this for lunch today and added in some canned tuna at the end, and it was so crazy good!! it was like a modern, asian tuna noodle casserole, just what i needed!
thank you for the recipe!
Thank you! I'm so happy you liked it!!!
ReplyDeleteDid you notice that there was a "digestive adjustment period" as you started to incorporate xylitol into your diet? I just bought a bag, but have had digestive issues before and was told to stay away from Sorbitol, Aspartame, etc...
ReplyDeleteI've done alot of reading on the product and they all caution about the laxative effect xylitol has, so I am a little gun shy.
Some people tolerate it better than others. It is often preferred by people who I consider "super tasters" who don't like the taste of erythritol. BUT if you don't mind erythritol, I would use that instead...a lot less likely to cause intestinal distress.
ReplyDeleteMaria - wanted to let you know that I've been using this peanut sauce on all kinds of things! I've been using the noodle maker from Amazon to make zucchini noodles and then putting this peanut sauce on top. My husband will actually eat vegetables with this sauce on them! He says it reminds him of Pad Thai. So excited. Thank you so very much!
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking the time to write! I'm so happy your husband likes this too;)
ReplyDeleteDo you prefer xylitol or erythritol? Why?
ReplyDeleteI prefer erythritol because it keeps insulin lower.
ReplyDeleteERYTHRITOL = Erythritol is a naturally-derived sugar substitute that looks and tastes very much like sugar, yet has almost no calories. Erythritol has been used in Japan since 1990 in candies, chocolate, yogurt, fillings, jellies, jams, beverages, and as a sugar substitute. Erythritol, is considered a 'sugar alcohol' and is found naturally in small amounts in grapes, melons, mushrooms, and fermented foods such as wine, beer, cheese, and soy sauce. Erythritol is usually made from plant sugars. Sugar is mixed with water and then fermented with a natural culture into erythritol. It is then filtered, allowed to crystallize, and then dried. The finished product is white granules or powder that resembles sugar.
CALORIES = 0 to 0.2 calories/gram (95% fewer calories than sugar)
SWEETNESS = 70% as sweet as table sugar. Use cup for cup like sugar, but you need to add a tsp of stevia glycerite to add sweetness.
WHY I USE IT = It has a crystallization property like sugar. This is why you can't just use stevia for baking.
BENEFITS = Erythritol isn’t metabolized by oral bacteria, which means that it doesn’t contribute to tooth decay. Erythritol gets absorbed and assimilated easily in the small intestines, which reduces fermentation.
UNDESIRED PROPERTIES = It doesn't dissolve in foods (like salad dressings/caramel)
XYLITOL= Xylitol occurs naturally in many fruits and vegetables and is even produced by the human body during normal metabolism. Manufacturers make it from plants such as birch and other hard wood trees and fibrous vegetation. Some people prefer the taste of xylitol. I only use it when I have to due to it's higher calorie content and increases insulin a little. Before I found JUST LIKE SUGAR, I used this for my caramel sauce.
CALORIES = 2.4 calories/gram; 1 tsp has 9.6 calories and 1 tsp of sugar has 15 calories (40% fewer calories and 75% fewer carbs than table sugar)
SWEETNESS = Same as table sugar. Use cup for cup.
BENEFITS = Has been known to aid in the prevention of ear infections. Tastes more like table sugar. Dissolves in liquids and melts.
UNDESIRED PROPERTIES = Xylitol has very few known side effects, although some people report diarrhea when adding xylitol into their diets.
Glycemic Index of Sweeteners
Stevia Glycerite = 0
Erythritol = 0
Truvia/ZSWEET = 0
JUST LIKE SUGAR = 0
Xylitol = 7
Maple Syrup = 54
Honey = 62
Table Sugar = 68
High Fructose Corn Syrup = 100
This is an extremely helpful comparison. Thanks!
DeleteWow! I'm so glad I clicked on this article, thank you for all this helpful information!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to try this. I've been looking and looking for an Asian peanut ginger sauce similar to the dressing on my salad at my favorite Japanese restaurant, that I'm sure isn't healthy at all. The salad is really just iceberg lettuce with carrot coins, dripping in sauce. It is one of the best things in the whole world, and I usually end up licking my plate (in public, even--the horror)! Making this at home, I'll leave out the carrot coins, but it will be so nice to be able to have this treat again! Thanks, Maria!!
ReplyDeleteThis looks delicious, and I'm going to try it today. But please, whenever you talk about Xylitol, warn people that if their dog eats any of it, it will kill their dog. I personally prefer Xylitol, but it makes me too crazy worrying about something falling on the floor and my dog taking advantage of the "three second rule".
ReplyDeleteThis was soooooo good!!
ReplyDelete