I just discovered xylitol. It is a sugar made from birch trees that has 40% fewer calories and 70% fewer carbs than sugar. It has a glycemic index of 13, while sugar is 100 so it is safe for diabetics.
Best thing is it kills bacteria helping to prevent tooth decay, ear infections and even candida. It is completely safe. If you eat over 65 grams a day, you might get diarrhea.
I just made Christmas cookies for the first time in four years!! I cut the sweetener if half using half as much xylitol as the recipe called for sugar.
I also dipped raspberries in a little xylitol. It is festive, delicious and so good for you. What a find!
Posted by nefferdun (Member # 20157) on :
Something else -
"Xylitol, when taken in small amounts, can help increase the white blood cell activity in fighting bacterial infections, to help build immunity, protect against chronic degenerative disease and have anti-aging benefits."
It also helps prevent ovarian cysts and helps with bone density.
Posted by merrygirl (Member # 12041) on :
Xylitol is poisonous to cats and dogs. It can kill them.
Keep it far away !
Posted by momlyme (Member # 27775) on :
Merrygirl - how is xylitol poisonous to cats and dogs? My very small dog has had xylitol... now I am worried and would like to read up on this!
Posted by merrygirl (Member # 12041) on :
Tinsel is also not so good if your pet eats it.
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
yes-i use it in tooth products and it has worked very well but dentist told me to be very careful with dogs-i didnt know about cats.
i am oftern afraid if i dont rinse my mouth / face enough she will get some if she gets close or if it rubs off on my clothes. it does scare me but i am careful cuz it does such a good job
i havent used it for cooking...
Posted by momlyme (Member # 27775) on :
Thanks merrygirl! Good to know. Posted by rera2528 (Member # 29886) on :
Just a heads up - Xylitol can also be a bit harsh on the stomach if you take in too much at a time. I chew a xylitol gum, and it works out fine. But, I tried the sugar free coconut milk "ice cream," and it was way too much xylitol for my gut to handle.
Posted by nefferdun (Member # 20157) on :
It can be poisonous to dogs when ingested in high amounts but there are conflicting reports. Cats benefit from it for reducing plaque. Humans should not eat more than 65 grams a day. Grapes and raisons are very poisonous to dogs. Chocolate is bad because their bodies cannot get rid of the caffeine in it.
Posted by merrygirl (Member # 12041) on :
actually chocolate is not so much the caffeine it has a chemical called theobromine in it
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theobromine from Wikipedia Animals that metabolize theobromine more slowly, such as dogs, can succumb to theobromine poisoning from as little as 50 grams of chocolate for a smaller dog and 400 grams for an average-sized dog.
The same risk is reported for cats as well, although cats are less likely to ingest sweet food, having no sweet taste receptors.[47] Complications include digestive issues, dehydration, excitability, and a slow heart rate. Later stages of theobromine poisoning include epileptic-like seizures and death. If caught early on, theobromine poisoning is treatable.[48] Although not usual, the effects of theobromine poisoning, as stated, can become fatal.
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
i was lucky about choclate. one year the easter bunny left herseys kisses in tin foil all over the house. the next morning all the choclate was gone and tin foil pieces were all over the house. my daughter came to me and said caitie(our greyhound) was pooping sparkles...so we know where the choclate went. i was very worried but she was ok.
Posted by merrygirl (Member # 12041) on :
it takes a good amount of milk chocolate to make them sick its baking chocolate and dark chocolate
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Now that you've shared that, kayak.. I'll share a similar story!!
about 35 yrs ago our border collie got into our Hershey's kisses. I think we didn't even know it until we found foil in the back yard!
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Just a head's up that a little xylitol may be fine but too much and you will be making sounds that may or may not be musical in nature - and stomach cramping and lower GI upset can occur.
So, a normal serving is good advice, even with xylitol or the similar erythritol.
Sadly, my digestive tract can handle any, really. With even one breath mint with either, I could supply have the nation with natural gas. And, normally, I have none (really!).
Be sure to test out your tolerance BEFORE that fancy holiday party.
I find STEVIA (and sometimes a little honey) works better for me. -
[ 12-21-2011, 12:09 AM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posted by Silverwolf (Member # 9196) on :
<<<<< nefferdun and all Lyme Family >>>>>,
A word of warning : Please realize that Xylitol can be made from other things than Birch.
After nearly having to rush to the Hospital last year around the Christmas time.
TxC and I did a search on 'Hidden Oat' sources in foods. I am highly allergic to oats[ the Aveenan in it...like gluten].
We discovered that not all Xylitol is from Birch. NOW brand supplements foods etc. does a corn Xylitol.
But Xylitol can be made from Oats,and a variety of grains [including some gluten types] and also some fruits.
Please, for those who may have allergy/intolerance to /glutens /aveenans ,Be absolutely certain sure of which type of Xylitol you are using.
The company you wish to buy from should be willing to tell you where the Xylitol comes from and what was used to make it.
I apologize for not having the links/sites...I'm a techno illiterate here... but do searches on hidden oat, glutens etc. that can get into our diets.
The Birch Xylitol is supposed to be really really good...but please always check where yours comes from. If it is a 'mix' and teh company doesn't want to tell you what it is..don't use it...Please!!!
I do not want any of you to spend your Holiday fighting to breathe..Like I did last year for several days.
Also be very watchful of fast food type Taco's if you cannot eat Oat, many companies are using... Isolated Oat protein as a preservative.
Okay Back to the cookie making... I'll have to check out the reciepe..it sounds scrumptious...
-Jus' worried Silverwolfi [ I don't want anyone to have a Christmas season like mine last year!-
Posted by twicebitten (Member # 5412) on :
I use xylitol toothpaste and nose spray. I use the crystals some too, but as stated above, if you use it too much as once, it will get your tummy.
One summer I ordered snow cone flavorings off of ebay to make snow cones for the family. Going out for them gets VERY expensive..
I got the concentrated ones and used xylitol in making the syrups instead of sugar. Thought it would be good for us all. Wrong. We kept on eating a snow cone each evening in TX hot summers. After a while we all three noticed tummy aches after the snow cones. Then I realized what must be doing it..the xylitol. I could get a normal snow cone and not have tummy ache.
I think I should have done some sort of mixture of xylitol and something else. Hubby hates artificial sweetners, but xylitol really tastes like sugar. Oh well, back to the drawing board I guess.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- SweetLeaf Stevia Clear drops has none of the aftertaste that previous brands did for me.
PURE EXTRACTS, not flavorings (never flavorings) can be used for crushed ice - &/or some real fruit bits or juice.
If you have stevia, extract or juice, you can add some SAFFRON threads for extreme red-orange color and the taste will still hold its own as saffron is very mild and will also enhance various fruits.
Dark Berries or cherries will have enough color on their own but even then, saffron would intensity it.
Frozen fruit and small iced cubes can come together in the blender to make slushies. Add any kind of "milk" for smoothies, thicker for an ice cream sort of dish to eat right away. -
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