BlogHer - Low Sugar Desserts Can Help Reduce Your Sugar Intake and the Size of Your Waist - Comments

Don't know a lot about jaggery

Kalyn Denny — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 07:30:22 -0600

I have been curious about it. I know it's a less refined form of sugar from cane, which has to be better. I would be interested to find out what the glycemic index of jaggery is.

Kalyn Denny
Kalyn's Kitchen

Jaggery as an alternative to using white sugar!

Srivalli — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 01:57:20 -0600

Hello Kalyn,

Thats such a wonderful post. Nice links, will check them all when I on making desserts. As you might know, we indians use jaggery in our desserts (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaggery. This is considered to be much better than direct sugar.

I have some recipes using jaggery on my blog.

Thanks for the thought proking post on making low sugar desserts!

Cooking 4 all Seasons

Spice your Life!

Love the sound of your chocolate Macaroons!

Kalyn Denny — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:52:21 -0600

Just saved that recipe to try. In reading the recipe I had the thought that you could use agave nectar in those instead of the honey or maple syrup, which is something I might try.

Kalyn Denny
Kalyn's Kitchen

low sugar desserts

winnieab — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:34:08 -0600

Hi Kalyn,

I love your blog and thank you for this post!

I try to avoid sugar and advise others to do the same...That being said, I do love sweets and I indulged in a bit too much homemade toffee over the holidays (definitely not healthy, but so yummy- I won't make it again for another year, I promise!)

I find that when I limit all refined carbs and concentrate on eating lots of healthy protein and veggies, with good quality fats as well, my sugar cravings diminish. I do love tea with a bit of raw honey, though, so one or two cups per day is a treat I don't want to give up.

As for an easy low sugar dessert recipe, try my take on chocolate macaroons. Here is the link to the recipe: www.healthy-green-lifestyle.com/macaroon-recipe.html

Thanks again for this post and all the recipe ideas,

Winnie Abramson

www.healthy-green-lifestyle.com

You're Welcome!

Kalyn Denny — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:22:55 -0600

Glad you like it. I'm happy to see I'm not the only one who has decided sugar is just not worth it.

Kalyn Denny
Kalyn's Kitchen

thanks!

maggie-pithyandcleaver — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:45:35 -0600

Thanks for this post! Great for the new year.

Maggie

You are a girl after my

cmladenka — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:54:25 -0600

You are a girl after my chocolate-loving, heart!!!!!

thanks so much for the recipe....we'll be having it tonight! :)

Visit me at Pink Mesquite Parties & Events, and let me help you create your "signature celebration!" (www.pinkmesquite.com) , and...

When you REALLY want to get away, join me at the ne

I agree: NO white foods!

Kalyn Denny — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:35:08 -0600

I'm a fan of the South Beach Diet, and when people ask me what the basics of the diet are I tell them if you stop eating sugar, white flour, potatoes, starchy white rice, and white flour pasta, you'll lose weight and feel 100% better. And I agree, it's not that hard!

Kalyn Denny
Kalyn's Kitchen

Love it!

Kalyn Denny — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:32:56 -0600

Your flourless chocolate torte sounds fantastic. Just saved the recipe. Also I need to check out whey low. Thanks for sharing!

Kalyn Denny
Kalyn's Kitchen

Yes!

MrsWsKitchen — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:20:34 -0600

One of the things I love most about the foodblogging community is that it's possible to find low- or no-sugar desserts, or desserts that can easily be converted. No judging! I never would have learned how to make all of my favorites otherwise.

I do a lot of sugarless desserts. A lot. I bring them to church functions, pot lucks and friends homes. I did a bridal shower for a friend a couple of years ago and did a few sugar-free treats--lo and behold the bride's mother is diabetic and very much appreciated the options. In fact I run across so many people with insulin resistance or diabetes that I find a sugarless option is necessary at all functions.

My favorite, most used sugarless dessert recipe is this One-Bowl Sugar-Free Flourless Chocolate Torte.

I found the recipe on a gluten-free foodblog (which, incidentally, is a great source for recipes that easily adapt to sugar-free). It's good with both Whey Low and Xylitol as sugar substitutes. I haven't tried it with Splenda.

Amanda
Mrs.W's Kitchen

Sugar - The Evil One

cmladenka — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:16:28 -0600

Yes, sugar IS evil! And with a family history of diabetes, I've really got to watch it! My dad truly is a sugar-holic, and suffers from serious diabetes. And we called his mother (my grandmother) "Little Debbie" because she was the sugar queen!! She developed diabetes late in her adult life, so I know it does happen.

I just want to encourage everyone that losing weight is easier if you cut out the white stuff....in everything! That also goes with potatoes, white bread, etc. You know, all things yummy! Try a "No White Food" Day and see what a difference it makes. Eat only whole grain bread or Ezekiel bread (awesome stuff!) veggies, and protein. If you must have something sweet... I always drank Crystal Light or something with Splenda with my food, and throughout the day, and it cured my sugar need. At the end of he day, you should still be energized, have a satisfied tummy, and be ready to rock! :)

Believe me, it's not that hard, it's just a lifestyle change and totally worth it! At 52, I look and feel better than I have in years!

It's definitely evil for me!

Kalyn Denny — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:03:39 -0600

I'm open to the possibility that it might be a body chemistry thing, because I do know some people who eat sugar and don't seem to have a problem with it. But I know for me it's definitely not a healthful food.

Kalyn Denny
Kalyn's Kitchen

Kick the Habit

Tracy Evans — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 09:00:49 -0600

Sugar is evil. I'm talking about the white stuff. It not only causes people to pack on the pounds but it seriously messes up your immune system.

I am a big foodie. I crave fresh, seasonal organic food. But I also had a serious ice tea habit. Sweet tea. I'm convinced it screwed up my system so I cut back dramatically. Every time I feel like pouring a glass of tea I now reach for bottled water instead. So far so good. And I do feel better.

The Moxie Report. Giggles. Gaffes. Girl Talk. From television producer, writer and mom Tracy Evans. http://themoxiereport.blogspot.com

Congratulations on the 27 pounds!

Kalyn Denny — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 07:32:29 -0600

Hope you have fun trying the recipes.

Kalyn Denny
Kalyn's Kitchen

if it's sweet - It's MINE!!

cmladenka — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:39:39 -0600

Hey there~

I'm new to this site, and discovered your blog on "life without sugar"....I just had to join in and say that I've realized my body CRAVES the sugar, but I crave the sweet!

So, after giving up the real thing (soda, wine, chocolate, etc.) and switching to Splenda, I've easily lost 27 lbs, and continue to do so. I received a Splenda Cookbook, and try to balance my intake so that I don't overdo it , as well.

I love the sound of some of the recipes, so I will be trying those too!

Happy New Year!

Cindi

Low Sugar Desserts Can Help Reduce Your Sugar Intake and the Size of Your Waist

Kalyn Denny — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 19:36:06 -0600

It's January, and most of us are full of good intentions for better eating habits in the new year. I'm guessing that losing weight is the most common resolution for adults, and more people start dieting in January than any other time of year. Of course, there are as many diets as there are people who want to lose weight, but one thing that's included in pretty much every weight loss diet is the realization that sugar is full of empty calories. While most of us enjoy the taste of sweet things, we know that eating too many sugary foods will pack on the pounds.

I'm one of those people who believes that sugar is just plain bad, and I try to avoid eating it for the most part, but during the holidays when temptation is everywhere, inevitably I will eat a few sugary treats. It doesn't take too many times of eating a few cookies or pieces of candy before I remember why I quit eating sugar in the first place. Eating sugar makes me start craving sugary foods, and if I'm not paying attention I can start to consume an unbelievable amount of sugar. This is an actual physical craving for me, not just a "Hmm, that tastes good" kind of thing.

I can also tell that I should avoid sugar by how my body reacts when I eat sugar. When I'm following my normal diet of eating mainly foods that are low on the glycemic index, I'm one of those people who are full of energy and always get a lot done. When I've been eating sugar or other empty carb foods, I start having a hard time getting out of bed in the morning and find I need more caffeine to make it through my day. Sugar also causes me to have mood swings in a way that I never experience when I'm avoiding it.

Avoiding sugar completely may be easier said than done for most people, but there are many ways you can reduce your sugar intake and not have to completely give up desserts either. When it comes to low-sugar or sugar-free desserts, there are many options about what sweeteners to use. Because my body reacts so much to sugar, making dessert with Splenda is a good option for me, especially since I make dessert less than once a month. For people who want to avoid artificial sweetners, there are natural sweeteners like low-glycemic Agave Nectar or low-calorie Stevia which can give a sweet taste. You can also make great tasting things just by using the natural sweetness of fruit.

Whatever your personal choice is about eating sugar, a few low-sugar desserts are a great thing to have in your cooking repertoire. Here are some low-sugar or sugar-free dessert options food bloggers have been cooking up lately.

The Chocolate Orange Muffins from What's For Lunch Honey look delicious, and uses less than two ounces (50 grams) of sugar. Meeta also uses Muscavado sugar, which is more nutritious. (Meeta's Chocolate Orange Muffins from What's for Lunch Honey are pictured above.)

Johanna at Green Gourmet Giraffe in Australia makes Cherry Banana Muffins using something she calls golden syrup as a sweetener. I'm not sure what that is, but there's only one tablespoon in the whole batch of muffins, with the rest of the sweetness coming from cherries and bananas.

Dani Spies has Feel Good Chocolate Truffles that look amazing, and they're sweetened with agave nectar and fruit.

The Chocolate-Orange Fudge with Apricots from Diet, Dessert and Dogs is sweetened with agave nectar. (Diet, Dessert and Dogs' Chocolate-Orange Fudge with Apricots is pictured above.)

The Applesauce Raisin Cake made by Cookbook Cuisine is sweetened with Splenda, Applesauce, and raisins.

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Sarina at TriniGourmet in Trinidad makes a type of sweetened corn cake called Pumpkin Pone, with only 1/4 cup of sugar in the whole batch. (TriniGourmet's Pumpkin Pone is pictured above.)

Gluten-Free Bay uses Splenda to sweeten Low-Fat Sugar Free Sesame Banana Muffins.

Susan from Fat Free Vegan Kitchen experiments using stevia to sweeten a Sugar-Free Coconut Chai Breakfast Cake.

I found this recipe for Pistachio Cookies at The Italian Dish and used Splenda to make Flourless, Sugar-Free Pistachio Cookies.

Christine Cooks uses Splenda to sweeten Low-Fat, Low-Sugar Persimmon Rice Pudding.

More Low Sugar Desserts and Info on Sugar-Free Baking:
~Many of these desserts were found via Low-Sugar Treats Round Up at The Daily Tiffin.
~You can find a great collection of Lower Sugar Recipes at Becks and Posh from a roundup of Sugar (Not) High Friday.
~There's a great post on Gluten-Free Baking without Sugar at Karina's Kitchen.
~More info on Natural Alternatives to White Sugar at Dani Spies.
~Elana's Pantry talks about Stevia.

Have you tried making desserts without little or no sugar? If you have a good low-sugar dessert recipe, please share your link or the recipe in the comments on this post.

Kalyn Denny writes about food and at BlogHer.com and shares her passion for low-glycemic cooking at Kalyn's Kitchen, where she is slowly trying various recipes for Low Sugar Desserts.