
KEEBLER Fudge Stripe Cookie Ingredients: Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate [Vitamin B1], Riboflavin [Vitamin B2], Folic Acid), Sugar, Vegetable Oil (Partially Hydrogenated Soybean, Cottonseed, Palm Kernel and/or Hydrogenated Cottonseed Oil With TBHQ and Citric Acid For Freshness), Cocoa Processed With Alkali, Contains Two Percent or less of Whey, Butter (Cream, Salt), High Fructose Corn Syrup, Leavening (Baking Soda, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Monocalcium Phosphate), Salt, Soy Lecithin, Nonfat Milk, Molasses, Sorbitan Monostearate, Polysorbate 60, Artificial Flavor
TBHQ comes from petroleum (think "lighter fluid"). It is applied either to the carton of fast food items or sprayed directly onto them, as well as in various other prepackaged food items. TBHQ is banned in other countries.
TBHQ keeps fats from going rancid, so you see it in a lot of foods that they want to have a long shelf life. It is considered an "anti-oxidant" BUT it can itself be oxidized into harmful molecules, like tert-butylquinone...causing a TIRED TOXIC LIVER (see chapter on the liver in Secrets to a Healthy Metabolism).
But it also promotes production of quinone reductase, which is linked to cancer. TBHQ can cause a full range of reactions from asthma to anxiety, ADHD, insomnia, depression, tiredness, learning difficulties and children's behavior problems. This chemical is also found to effect estrogen levels...are you trying to get pregnant? or dealing with menopausal symptoms? I would avoid this like the plague.
In pre-packaged foods, if you see the words "no trans-fats," look for TBHQ in the ingredient lists. Some manufacturer's, such as Kellogg's, are using this "trickery," and are using TBHQ instead of trans-fats. Is it better than trans-fat? No. BUT what is even scarier... if you don't see it, that does not mean it is not there. Manufacturers are not required to list "secondary" ingredients. If you don't believe me, call the company and ask if their oil now contains TBHQ. Thank you FDA!
COOKIES:
1 1/2 cup blanched almond flour
1/2 cup coconut flour
1 tsp aluminum free baking powder
1 cup coconut oil or butter
1 cup Just Like Sugar
1/2 cup erythritol (or Swerve)
2 tsp stevia glycerite (omit if using Swerve)
1 egg
1 tsp Celtic sea salt
CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE:
2 TBS grass fed butter or coconut oil
1 oz unsweetened baking chocolate
10 TBS unsweetened almond milk OR heavy cream
1/4 cup erythritol (or confectioners Swerve)
1 tsp stevia glycerite (omit if using Swerve)
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. In a medium bowl, cream the butter, Just Like Brown Sugar, erythritol and stevia (add in egg if using). Cream for a few minutes until very fluffy. In a separate bowl mix together the almond flour, coconut flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add in the dry ingredients to the wet and mix until smooth.
In between 2 pieces of parchment (greased parchment), roll the dough out into 1/4 in thick dough. Using circle cut-outs, cut into Samoa cookie shapes.
Place cookies about 2 inches apart. Bake in preheated oven for 17-20 minutes or until golden around the edges. Cool completely on the baking sheet before removing from cookie sheet.
CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE: Place the butter and chopped chocolate in a double boiler (or in a heat safe dish over a pot of boiling water). Stir well until just melted (don't burn the chocolate!), add in the cream, and sweetener. Stir until smooth and thick. Place 1/2 the chocolate in a shallow bowl and dip the bottom of the cookies into the chocolate. Place on parchment paper. Put the other 1/2 of the chocolate in a small ziplock bag. Cut the corner of the bag and use to pipe stripes over the cookies. Makes 24 cookies.
NUTRITIONAL COMPARISON (per serving)
Keebler = 150 calories, 7g fat, 1g protein, 21 carbs, 0 fiber
"Healthified" Cookie = 150 calories, 14g fat, 2.5g protein, 3.2 carbs, 1.8g fiber
As always, your recipes sound absolutely excellent!
ReplyDeleteThanks girl! I appreciate your kind words!
ReplyDeleteThose are adorable! Just like the new photo of your baby on facebook. :)
ReplyDeleteIs it Just Like Sugar or Just Like Brown Sugar? Just making sure because I want to make these!
ReplyDeleteI have used all 3 Just Like Sugar products, but I like this one the best: http://astore.amazon.com/marisnutran05-20/detail/B003O6YWHE
ReplyDeleteThe regular Baking one.
YUM!
I am distressed by all the "alternative" sweeteners you recommend. We are a family that live with multiple food allergies, eat very healthy, organic, juicing, fasting, etc. and do not feel the need to "sweeten" barely anything. I found your name on another web-page, "Allergy Kids." I was reading about coconut ice-cream and saw the two different sweeteners that were recommended for this recipe. I am aware that various forms of substitutes have a lower glycemic index point in regards to preventing and controlling diabetes. But when I looked up Xylitol this is what I found; The side effects of xylitol, a low-calorie sweetener and alternative to sugar, include gas, diarrhea, low blood sugar and possible abnormal liver function tests.
ReplyDeleteRead more: About the Side Effects of Xylitol | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_4598334_side-effects-xylitol.html#ixzz1jH9wG400
I also noticed that you didn't have any side effects listed regarding the sweetener. I do believe if you are going to teach people health, then teach them about not having to "sugarize" their food in order to eat it. I also understand that this particular recipe required a sweetener but I myself would much prefer something closer to nature, or should I say in its natural form. i.e. honey or maple syrup. The cravings will dissipate if we encourage healthy food without having to sweeten everything.
Maple syrup is processed in about the same way as Stevia. Maple syrup is drawn from trees as sap and them boiled down to concentrate. Stevia plants are placed in a water bath and then go through a purification process. I use Stevia in most of my cooking but because it can have a bitter aftertaste to some people I give other options. Xylitol, while more processed than Stevia, is a nature substance that our bodies are used to. The below link talks about this including the following statement.
ReplyDelete"So, the xylitol that you can buy certainly could not be called a "raw, whole-food product". However, that's not the whole picture. Continuing to quote from Professor Mäkinen:
"Because xylitol occurs naturally in agricultural and forest products, xylitol also occurs in various foods used by man. The dietary sources containing relatively high quantities of xylitol are plums, raspberries and cauliflower ... The presence of free xylitol in food indicates that man and certain domestic animals have consumed xylitol during their entire evolution."
Also, our own bodies constantly produce xylitol:
"In humans, relatively large amounts of xylitol (viz. 5 to 15 g/day) are formed as a metabolic intermediate product of carbohydrate metabolism."
As for side affects, a little gas is the only proven side affect of Xylitol (per Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xylitol) which goes away after a couple weeks of use. I prefer this to the side affect of sugar (Honey, maple syrup, etc). The honey bear is the only animal found in nature with tooth-decay problems (honey decays teeth faster than table sugar). It also leads to Diabetes, fatty liver disease, etc.. This post talks about all the negative side affects of fructose of which honey is higher in fructose than table sugar. (http://mariahealth.blogspot.com/2011/07/carolina-bbq-sauce-and-agave-facts.html)
Also, Xylitol has known benefits including:
BENEFITS:
1. Reduces Cavities: It does not break down like sugar and keeps a neutral pH level in the mouth. Xylitol prevents bacteria from sticking to the teeth, which protects the teeth from tooth decay. Acid-producing bacteria falls as much as 90%. After eating xylitol, the bacteria do not stick well on the surface of the teeth which decrease plaque buildup.
2. Reduces Ear Infections: It has be used as medicine in stopping bacterial growth to help prevent ear infections in young children. It also clears out excess earwax and inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria in the pharyngotympanic tubes.
3. Helps with Asthma: Since asthma is linked to chronic post-nasal drip, xylitol can also help by breaking the cycle of bronchial inflammation.
4. Help clear up Candida (yeast overgrowth).
5. Increases White Blood Cells: Increasing immune health and protects us from chronic disease and bacterial infections.
6. Protects newborns from streptococcus if the nursing mother consumes this. It is proven to help decrease this oral bacteria by 80%.
7. Decrease Allergies and Sinus Infections: They now have a nasal spray made of xylitol because it decreases the harmful bacteria that gather in the cells of our nose.
8. Reduces Ovarian Cysts, PCOS and Breast Cancer: Consuming sugar creates high insulin levels which increase the production of estrogens, leading to an estrogen-dominant condition, and also interfere with healthy ovarian function. Insulin resistance is a major cause of a growing hormonal problem called polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Signs that the body is being exposed to higher levels of the male hormones include acne, loss of head hair, and an increase in body hair. Lowering insulin levels is crucial for not only treating PCOS but also resolving most other hormonal imbalances, including those leading to breast cancer.
Yes, I agree that eliminating the sweet tooth all together is a better option but many parents are competing with school lunches and friends that have tons of sugary HFCS filled treats and this gives them a better option. :)
Here is the link I talked about above. http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview/id/747935.html
ReplyDeleteLove the look of these, Maria!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lisa!;)))
ReplyDeleteMaria if I use splenda & pure stevia powder will the cookies be crisp? I wish i could use erythitol/xylitol/chicory root, but for some reason my body does not do well with any alcohols not even liquid stevia like NuNatural. And I do not understand why my body gets higher glucose reading with all those and not splenda. Until last year I thought splenda was "evil" but after reading J. Eloff have tried & found my blood sugar is ok with it.
ReplyDeleteWould you have any experience to give explanation why I can't use chicory root or sugar alcohols when for most it seems very positive? I have puzzled over this for 4 years or so.
Thank you for any insight you might give. (My new book is a mess from marking so many recipes I want to try)!
Thanks for the wonderful recipes I drool over.
Philis
Hmmm, Philis, I am not sure...but I do know when I have clients get the Splenda with maltodexterin out, they often lose 5 pounds in a week!
ReplyDeleteSucralose, also known as Splenda, is a newer sweetener on the market. It is most well known for its claim to be made from sugar. It is 600 times sweeter than table sugar. It provides basically no calories and is not totally absorbed. In 1999, it was given approval for use as an all-purpose sweetener. It is currently found in over 4,500 products, including foods that are cooked and baked. The FDA reviewed studies in human beings and animals and determined that sucralose does not cause reproductive or neurological risk to human beings.
The product Splenda is also not actually calorie-free. Sucralose does have calories, but because it is 600 times sweeter than sugar, very small amounts are needed to achieve the desired sweetness; but this is only when you use the true form (liquid sucralose). Splenda, however, is bulked-up so it can be used in place of sugar. The first two ingredients in Splenda are dextrose and maltodextrin, which are carbohydrates that are not free of calories. One cup of Splenda contains 96 calories and 32 grams of carbohydrates, which is substantial especially for those with diabetes but overlooked due to the label claiming that it's a no calorie sweetener.
Splenda has also been found to inhibit zinc and iodine from being absorbed, which are essential for proper thyroid function. It is also linked to decreasing good gut-bacteria, which will increase Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
In my experience, stevia gives me diarrhea. I just bought a bag of erythritol, but I notice that most of your recipes combine this with stevia. Can I just omit the stevia?
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.
ReplyDeleteCALORIES = 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.
what's a good substitute for the blanched almond flour? I'm allergic to nuts.
ReplyDeleteYou could try freshly ground flax.
ReplyDeleteHappy eating!
Maria, is swerve a possible sweetener vs the Just like SUgar? I only have Swerve and Just like brown sugar. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYes, I updated it above. Thanks! :)
Delete