I ordered the sugar substitute Xylitol from my local GNC store a few days ago. Simply, it’s a sugar alcohol that can claim to naturally sourced (like sugar) yet not spike your blood glucose levels (unlike sugar). While not sugar, it’s not an artificial sweetener – which health food advocates claim is no better than consuming refined sugar in spite of its lower or zero calories.
This particular brand is called “XyliSmart.” Its texture is more coarse than ordinary table sugar and it’s sweet, but not quite as sweet, as ordinary sugar. Artificial sweetener is much more sweet per serving that xylitol, in my opinion. I’ve added it to coffee and to my breakfast smoothie. In both cases, it provided a nice sweetness that I enjoyed with no after-taste. This xylitol does have calories, ten calories per teaspoon serving. I’ve not tried cooking with it, but will use it when I make Korean beef in lettuce wraps.
The XyliSmart label does contain a “caution label.” First, pregnant or wanna-be pregnant women are supposed to ask their doctors about using xylitol. Fair enough. Also, it’s pretty clear you don’t want to gorge on xylitol since it’s a sugar replacement. It can upset your stomach if you overdo it. I have not suffered a single side effect.
At about $12 per pound, it’s a luxury item when compared to the $1.50 sugar canister. If I use it moderately in my eating habit, I don’t think my wallet will miss the higher price of sweetening my food without sugar or traditional artificial sweetener.
NOTE: I am not a scientist or health food expert. I’m only a consumer who’s trying to lose a few pounds, dodge sugar, dairy, corn and most wheat.


