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[QUOTE=Scott F;987776]You might try dextrose. It's not as sweet because it all glucose with no fructose[/QUOTE]
The problem with "not as sweet" is when adding it as a "sweetener" you usually need more than you would of other sweeteners and therefore you end up consuming more calories overall.
"Not as sweet" does not correlate with fewer calories or less of a blood sugar/insulin spike overall. In fact, if you need to use more because of its weaker flavors, expect more of both.
1 tbsp of honey + 2 tbsp of cream = 100 cals
It won't hurt you
I don't like sweet in my coffee as much as I used to. Giving up carbs and sugars have changed my taste buds. I have been using a teaspoon of xylitol, but sometimes don't want that. Xylitol, while definitely a sugar, has benefit for your dental health, and that is why I use it. I like the taste too. I HATE the taste of stevia. Xylitol has about half the calories of sugar, half the sweetening power, and is made from trees. It comes in granulated form like sugar, easy to use.
My favorite way to sweeten my coffee is to use scalded whole milk. I put the milk in a small saucepan used only for milk, and put it on medium-high heat. When it starts to foam, I take it off and use it. It foams up the coffee in a pretty way and concentrates the sweetness of the milk. It's delicious but it's a hard thing to do when you are groggy in the morning! Many times the milk has boiled over and made a mess. You can't leave it, have to watch it. Try it on a lazy weekend morning for a treat.
I find that double-cream, clotted cream or coconut cream actually add that BIT of sweetness to coffee and hot chocolates WITHOUT needing to add anything sugary!
If after a meal I still use the odd bit of honey, as the fats and fibre in my stomach will mostly mix up with the drink, making the sugar slower-releasing but, when having it as a treat, I usually stick to cream and a bit of cayenne pepper or paprika.
[QUOTE=Forgotmylastusername;987635]One sugar is fine. Sure, raw honey or maple syrup is always better but seriously a spoon of sugar has about 15 calories. Completely insignificant. If you like the taste of coconut cream/milk in coffee that could also work.[/QUOTE]
No, sugar is bad stuff. Some people die the first time they try it!
Xylitol is my own preference.
I should add that I get through 4-6 cups of French-pressed freshly-ground coffee per day. I use about a 1/4 of a teaspoon per cup (and this is someone who once took 3 teaspoons of sugar in their coffee!)
I'm not sure I agree with Shalimar about 1/2 the sweetening? I was using about 1/4 of a spoon of sugar, switched to xylitol, seemed the same? I certainly don't feel I'm depriving myself with xylitol.
And yes, stevia has an aftertaste. Same as saccharin, which led me to wonder if the company was really giving me stevia or not? Then I tried some dried and ground up green stevia powder... same off-putting aftertaste.
[QUOTE=Drumroll;987782]The problem with "not as sweet" is when adding it as a "sweetener" you usually need more than you would of other sweeteners and therefore you end up consuming more calories overall.
"Not as sweet" does not correlate with fewer calories or less of a blood sugar/insulin spike overall. In fact, if you need to use more because of its weaker flavors, expect more of both.[/QUOTE]
What I like about glucose is that I know what it is and that ever cell in the body uses it for energy. I've read from different sources is that fructose should be kept to no more than 15g per day. Either way a spoon of sugar or dextrose, calorie wise, isn't very much to worry about.
[QUOTE=Scott F;988058]What I like about glucose is that I know what it is and that ever cell in the body uses it for energy. I've read from different sources is that fructose should be kept to no more than 15g per day. Either way a spoon of sugar or dextrose, calorie wise, isn't very much to worry about.[/QUOTE]
If he would use a "spoonful of sugar" which is already sweeter than dextrose, would he not need MORE than a spoonful of dextrose? That's my primary (if not my only) point here.
You are assuming a spoonful of one is an equal substitute for the other. Not if they taste different they are not!
[QUOTE=Drumroll;988063]If he would use a "spoonful of sugar" which is already sweeter than dextrose, would he not need MORE than a spoonful of dextrose? That's my primary (if not my only) point here.
You are assuming a spoonful of one is an equal substitute for the other. Not if they taste different they are not![/QUOTE]
No I'm not assuming that and yes I know, dextrose is not as sweet as sugar but we aren't talking about that many calories either way. A tablespoon of sugar is 12 grams of carbs, 6 from glucose and 6 from fructose. If an adult should keep fructose consumption to no more than 15 grams per day, two tablespoons alone puts an adult male at 12 grams and near the 15 gram recommended limit. Honey and syrup will gives the same amount of fructose.
[url=http://consumer.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=668650]Diets High in Fructose May Harm Liver in Some, Scientists Warn[/url]
Liver ATP and uric acid levels also were measured in more than 100 patients who participated in a second study. Researchers measured the difference in liver ATP content between patients with low fructose consumption (less than 15 grams per day) and those with high fructose consumption (greater than 15 grams per day).
The study revealed that participants with high dietary fructose consumption had lower liver ATP levels when the study began and a more significant change in ATP after the fructose test. The researchers also noted that those with high uric acid levels had lower ATP stores following high fructose intake.
[url]http://experiencelife.com/newsflashes/cancers-favorite-sugar/[/url]
I agree with all of your points. However, I am also a big proponent of "if he wants a little sugar" let him have it. This is why I suggested the "healthier" sugar alternatives. Each of us has to decide for themselves which risks they are or are not willing to take, and if he wants to eat a little sugar, why bother him about it?
I do my best to cut the majority of sugar from my diet, but if others want to consume their sugar, let them.
Just look at all of the folks here who swear by eating fruit by the truckload and seem to have perfectly fine weight and liver function. And they're CERTAINLY getting over their "15 grams" of daily fructose that is "safe" for us.