Have you heard of erythritol and wonder what in the world it is? Here's all you need to know and why it's a fantastic sugar substitute, as well as a sweet give away provided by Swerve!
The first time I ever saw or heard of erythritol I shunned it. I could barely say the name correctly let alone open my mind to using it. I was perfectly content with using stevia as my natural sugar free substitute and I still am and love my stevia. I have been a stevia snob. But my good blogging friend Carolyn, from All Day I Dream About Food has been using it for a good long time and it peaked my curiosity, but again I've been happy with my recipes using stevia and I think all of you have as well. Although I am perfectly content using stevia, I always receive many emails and comments saying some of you still find a bitter aftertaste even with the brands I recommend. I never taste an aftertaste and it must be because I'm so used to using it for so long now. My hubby will still notice in some no bake recipes or frosting so I decided over the last year to start experimenting with it.
Many of you know over the course of about 6 months I've been writing a cookbook and during this time I combined erythritol with stevia. I can only say that the results have been absolutely phenomenal in my baked goodies and treats. After attending BlogHer Food in Miami and speaking with the president of Swerve, I knew it was time to bring you some information here on the blog in hopes to enlighten you as well on this fantastic product.
WHAT IS ERYTHRITOL?
- It's pronounced, (a-rith-ri-tall).
- It is NOT an artificial sweetener like aspartame or Splenda. It is naturally occurring in plants and fruits and vegetables like grapes, melons and mushrooms.
- It is a sugar alcohol most often used in chewing gums, mouthwash, cough drops and mints.
- It has no calories and does not spike blood sugar. Zero on glycemic index. It is Non- GMO.
- Not to be confused with xylitol, sorbitol, maltitol which can cause gas, bloating and laxative effects.
- It measures cup for cup for sugar, but is only about 70% as sweet as table sugar. ( This is why combining it with stevia which is 300 times sweeter than sugar is a great choice).
IS IT SAFE & WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS?
I wouldn't be using it for my family or recommending it if I didn't believe in it as a safe product for my family and myself. Before it is even digested in the large intestine, it is absorbed into the bloodstream and basically eliminated unchanged. So only about 10% actually enters into the small intestine. Because of this it does not typically cause any laxative effects like xylitol and maltitol would. We have been using it regularly with no problems in our family.
The season I like the brand Swerve is because I've tried other granular erythritol products from a few other brands and found them very gritty in the final product. Swerve has both a granular as well as a confectioner's sugar type product. Both work well in baked goods, but of course when you want a recipe to have the look of confectioner's sugar that choice would be best. Mostly to bake I've been using the granular, but again either would work well.
Today Swerve has kindly offered to give away samples to 3 Sugar-Free Mom readers. You can choose between the granular version or the confectioner's version. Both are 1 pound in weight.
EXCITING NEWS!!!
YOU CAN NOW PURCHASE SWERVE ON IHERB.COM AND USE MY DISCOUNT CODE YAJ035!
THIS GIVE AWAY IS NOW CLOSED.
Just enter the rafflecopter below for your chance to win some Swerve! 3 winners will be chosen. Contest ends on June 21, 2014 at midnight, EST. USA residents only please. Winners will be notified via email. Winners will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner will be chosen.
CONGRATS TO ASHLEY, KIM AND TWILA!
References:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/497773-erythritol-vs-stevia-vs-xylitol/
http://altmedicine.about.com/od/herbsupplementguide/a/erythritol.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erythritol
Disclosure: I have not been compensated for this post. Swerve sweetener provided me samples of their product to try as well as product to provide for this give away. All opinions are 100% my own.
I'm totally interested to try this out! Thanks for the info!
I've never tried Erythritol. Right now I have such an array of other sweeteners in my cupboard I felt a bit guilty to buy it, but would live to win some!
I have not tried it before but I am certainly intrigued!
Thanks for the education! I really didn't know what this was or anything about Swerve, so helpful!
I have used this for a while now just have not heard of the brand Swerve. I love it and mix it with coconut sugar or stevia. Have not tried the powdered though.. Thanks for the information though..
Yes... I love it!
Haven't tried this, but am curious. Sounds like a great substitute for someone with IBS- artificial sweetners wreak havoc!
Would just love to win this...maybe I'd even want to bake more or it would inspire my hubby baker to bake more! I am diabetic plus we are wheat free, too. Would be nice to try this!
No, I have not tried this!
i am very interested, i've never heard of this
I've never tried it. Would love to!
Looking forward to trying this. I am embracing the sugar free lifestyle.
Hi,
I second what Mollie says for it possibly being a good subsitute for people with IBS. I"ve tried everything imaginable, and cannot fathom the idea of living without sweets! Can't wait to try, thanks for the info and the contest!! 🙂
I've never tried it, but have always wanted to. Unfortunately it's not available in the local stores, and I hated to pay a shipping charge for something I may or may not like.
Free shipping on done on eBay
Haven't heard of this product. Can't wait to try it!
Have been sugar free for 4 months. Would really love to try this.
I love your help with making my life as sugar free as possible. I was wondering how to find out the nutritional value of a recipe if you make changes to the ingredients? The one I'm thinking of doesn't list the nutritional content to begin with, so I don't know where to start. Any tips?
Thank you for what you do!
I have!
I love erythritol and stevia together - I want a recipe to make my own, though, to see if I can save some money! I would love to try the confectioner's erythritol!
I am also a Stevia fan, but would love to try Swerve!
I have tried Swerve and it is my favorite for baking. Have not tried the confectioners yet but am planning on doing it soon since I have a cake recipe I am wanting to try.
I've used Truvia and THM Sweet Blend but I've never tried Swerve.
Interesting, I would love to try it out! 🙂
This looks great!
would love to try this!!!
I have tried it!
No, but now I want to try it!
Hmm...never heard of this one. I would definitely be interested in trying it though 🙂
I have heard of this but never tried it because I thought all sugar alcohols caused bloating. I will be trying it soon as I'm not fond of the stevia aftertaste.
I would love to try Swerve. I have ordered other sweeteners from Amazon but have not tried Swerve.
Love its taste in vitamin water zero. Would love to try it in my own recipes!
I have been using Stevia for quite some time. I am definitely going to give this a try. Thanks so much for the post!
Swerve sounds perfect!
I didn't even know this product existed, thanks for the info!
Where can I buy Swerve?? Whole Foods?
I haven't try it yet but I got a bag so I just need to cook somenthing now!!!
I love using natural stevia and would like to try swerve!
I've never tried this and I have been looking for a healthy sweetener for my family.
I've never heard of it before. I would love to try it.
Thank you
I've wanted to try this stuff for a while now. 🙂
Looking to buy some today!
Finally know how to pronounce this now! Thanks for the info!
I have tried Swerve and use it quite often. I just hate that I either have to travel to some place 45 mins to 1 hr away to get it, or wait for it to be mailed to me if I order online... especially the confectioner's. other than that LOVE it!
I'd love to try this but won't keep it in the house - it is extremely toxic and deadly to dogs and I have 2. I'm afraid if I drop any on the floor,or any product made with it and they eat it - I just can't take the chance!
Oh - I just read on the FAQ page that they have tested it with no issues! Yay!! I may go order some today!
It is Xylitol that is toxic for dogs, not erythritol. Two different products.
I love Swerve and would love to win some!
Just once. Don't think the brand is very good.
Cool giveaway.
Susie
I'm excited to have a chance to try this product out!
I love Swerve! I use it in my Bullet Proof Coffee every morning, and in Low-carb baking, etc.
Only sweetener I use for baking! Try it you will never go back 🙂
I would love to try this. I have not been happy with other sweetener, and want to get away from using sugar. Thank You.
I use Swerve all the time and LOVE it. It works well to put some in my Nutribullet and make my own confectioners version of it.
Yes.....used with a little stevia it is my go-to sweetener.
Haven't tried this product yet, but it seems like it would be fantastic for baking, where I often hit "speed bumps" when trying to use stevia. Thanks!
Swerve Confectioner's is a must have in any low carb kitchen.
I wanted to try this because I had bought the sugar free gluten free baking and desserts cookbook by Kelly E. Keough and she only uses this in her recipes, but the local health food store did not carry it. So the book has sat on my counter for about two years. Hope to be able to try it now!
I've never tried it, but would love to!
I love using Swerve! The only problem for our large family is the price 🙁
I save it for special occasion treats and use my homemade blend of erythitol/stevia for everyday use 🙂
I would love to win the Swerve - can't wait to do some low carb baking!
I've seen Swerve on many blogs but haven't tried - sounds like the perfect sweetener!
I have tried it in combination with Stevia. I love it!
Never tried but would love the chance!
I have tried Swerve and it didn't cause gastric upset at first, but after a few uses, it did. I was so disappointed as I had a coupon and had bought 2 bags of it. I use KAL brand stevia and have found it to be the best for extremely little after taste. In fact, hubby didn't even know I had made iced tea with it!!
Thanks for this article! There are so many sweeteners out there and it is hard to know which one(s) are okay to use!
I have used both Swerve and Erythritol. 🙂
Interesting information. I'm a stevia fan but have never tried Swerve or it's products. Thank you so much for the information and introduction.
I haven't tried it. My husband is diabetic and we have to watch our sugar intake.
I love Swerve and don't know why more people don't know about it!!
Yes, I have a bag of Swerve. I use it in baking but didn't care for it in my tea.
According to new reasearch erythritol may be a preferred sugar substitute for patients with diabetes mellitus. So for these days it's safe sweetener.
Have not tried it yet, but am hoping to enjoy it in my coffee. Haven't found a sugar free natural sweetner that I like in it. Maybe this is the one!
I have been using the granulated for baking. Need to try the "powdered sugar" version.
Powder sugar Swerve!! This I gotta try
I've never tried Swerve but love to try it! I use Stevia on a regular basis. It would be nice to see how Swerve tastes in comparison to Stevia.
No, I have not tried the erythritol. I would love to win.
THANKS!!!
I love erythritol... I haven't tried Swerve yet! But would love to!
I have not baked with erythritol before, but I have had it in the no-sugar-added coconut ice cream products from So Delicious. I had no idea erythritol was available for the home kitchen! Very exciting, especially the powdered sugar Swerve, because I've been wanting a good substitute for regular powdered sugar for such a long time and didn't know of anything.
I have never tried erythritol but Swerve just sent me some samples so I will be trying it soon!!
I wouldn't have been able to pronounce that either : ) Thanks for the info.
I love swerve!
I love my erythritol and NuNaturals stevia! Swerve is supposed to soon be coming to SoCal....can't wait!! 😀
I have yet to try Swerve but would love to win some! 😛
I can't wait to try this!
In in-laws use Stevia but I'm going to share this post with them since I think she still uses regular sugar for baking. Also I've been trying forever to get my dad off of artificial sweetener. All great information to send his way!
I don't know what I'd do without erythritol, honestly! I love using Z-Sweet (a combination of erythritol and stevia), but I'd be very interested in trying Swerve to compare the two.
So excited to try this!
I've never used erythritol but would love to.
Thanks for the helpful post. I have not tried it but would love to try it out sometime!
I love Swerve! It is my sweetener of choice. I've used both the granular and the confectioners variety. Wish it was more readily available. Would love to win this offer!
Love your blog. I am unable to eat sugar. I would love to try this product. I have never even heard of it.
Would love to try this product. I'm slowly trying to convert some of my favorite recipes/treats to be sugar-free. I find you site so helpful. 🙂
I have and actually like it a lot more than stevia but have been unsure of how natural it is compared to stevia. I want to start using it more!
I finally bought some the other day. Not sure why I waited so long to try it but glad I did!
I have not tried it, but I would like to.
Would love to try this product!
Can't wait to try it out and I'm so happy to read that it is GMO free!!!!
I've tried it and i love it.
Just embarked on Sarah Wilson's 8 week I Quit Sugar program (won't deny that I'm struggling with cravings, but so far so good!) Cannot seem to get Swerve products in Australia, so just in case you post outside of the US thought I'd put my comment in here! Also congratulations on getting your book in for publishing that is a huge achievement - make sure you enjoy a summer break somewhere to celebrate!
Good luck on your detox program with Sarah! That's too bad you can't get erythritol in Australia, but thanks for letting me know. I wonder if replacing rice malt syrup might work in the same amount of erythritol. I will have to experiment with it.
I love Swerve, I just wish it was available in stores, and had a better price. I use both types, but the confectioners made it possible to have cream cheese frosting again.
I usually use Erythritol and like it very much!
This sounds like a great product and an excellent substitute for sweeteners! I would love to try it!!!
I'm a xylitol girl, so have yet to try this. Would love to win a bag; thank you for the giveaway.
I am currently using Xylitol, but will be ordering Swerve. The Swerve website indicates that a food store about 1.5 miles from me carries it, but when I couldn't find it on the shelf I asked. Not even the manager had heard of it! So disappointed.
BTW, for those who don't have the powdered version of erythritol (or any sweetener, I think), putting the granular in a 'magic bullet' with the flat blade attachment will powder it up in seconds! I'd read where others had tried it, and so I bit the bullet (pun intended 🙂 because I had need of powdered 'sugar', and I was truly impressed. (I didn't go out and buy a Magic Bullet for this. I didn't want to spend $100, or even $50 for one, so about 3 years ago I bought a knock off at Rite Aid for $15 with the same amount of containers, lids, etc. I use it about 3 times a week and has not failed me yet. AND, last year, ALDI had their knock off (Crofton brand) for $20. I bought one for a friend, identical in every way to the Magic Bullet. I'm not affiliated with either Rite Aid or ALDI. Just a retiree with a fixed/limited income pinching pennies 🙂
Have to try this, sounds good!
Thanks for the info ... I would never have thought to try it because I'm like you: very happy with my stevia. Now I might step out of my Stevia box and try another sweetener.
Thanks Ann! I'm finding I like combining both, working really well for me.
I would love to try Swerve! I've been trying to find a sugar substitute that my family won't complain about.
We love Swerve!! Great post that's packed full of some wonderful information!
Thanks Angie!
You saved me a google search! I was actually going to look up erythritol this week. I'm not really a fan of Stevia due to the aftertaste, but I'm really curious about trying erythritol and stevia together just to see how it will work on baked goods.
I have a question - Since erythritol is only 70% as sweet as table sugar, how much stevia would you use to compensate for the remaining 30% measurement-wise? Did I mention I'm a stevia in baked goods virgin?
It really depends on the recipe as to how much stevia I would use and to which kind of stevia, whether powdered, pure or liquid. so far I've not used more than 1/3 or 1/2 cup of erythritol to some of my treats and with that I've often added about 1/2 teaspoon to a 1 teaspoon of liquid stevia.
I've tried xylitol in the past but never erythritol. It is expensive so I haven't wanted to waste my money. I'd love the opportunity to try it.
Good to know, a must try for me now!
Thanks for sharing!
I've used Swerve a few times now and I've always been very pleased with the outcome. I absolutely cannot taste a difference in my sweets.
I have tried granulated Swerve and really like it. I've never tried the powdered kind and would love to try that one.
Thanks!
I'm excited to hear about this! I read that truvia contains erythritol and didn't know much about it. Thank you for the info!
I love Swerve and use it for all my sugar-free baking.
Would love to win!! Thank you...
I have never tried it! But I would love to!
I would love to try this! Thanks for the info!
Yes, I have - thanks!
I've never tried it. I like knowing more about products so the info you provided is very helpful to me so I can make an informed decision.
I've never tried it before.
Great post! I've always wondered about erythritol. Thanks for breaking it down for us!
Nope, I had never heard of it, but now I'm intrigued. Thanks for the introduction!
I would love to try it!
I've been using Xylitol for some time now. I would be very interested to try Swerve. My fiance is diabetic so its important for us to have an alternative to sugar that is not an unhealthy artificial sweetener either. Thank you for the opportunity!
I'm very curious about this product! Stevia is my usual sweetener, but I would love to try this as well! If Sugar Free Mom suggests it, it must be great!
awe thanks Carol!
I've tried swerve and love it. It is a great product. Honestly I never can tell when I eat baked goods with it.
I was really curious about it as well - I heard about it at BHF but have never tried it. Will have to look into it more - thank you 🙂 I've been really concerned about sweeteners lately so I really have to give this a try 🙂
What a great source of info. I really enjoy reading nutritional facts. Takes me back to my dietetic (college) days. Funny how I went in the opposite direction. lol Nonetheless, keeping up with what's on the market is always good.
This was so helpful! I appreciated learning that only 10% enters the intestines... Good to know !
Yea! Finally -I'm one of those that hasn't totally accepted stevia but use it b/c of a medical condition for my daughter. But we love using erythritol but haven't tried swerve! Hoping for the best!
Swerve is the greatest...I just wish it was available locally and since my hubby and I are both senior citizens I wish it was a little more economical ...
I have been wondering what Swerve was! I'm happy to hear the sugar alcohol does not have the bad side effects that many do!
I would love to try this!
I have tried Swerve and I like it. It does not have the aftertaste that some sugar substitutes have.
I was wondering what Swerve was. Thanks for letting me know! Would love to give it a try.
Yes, I have tried erythritol. It is great!! What a wonderful giveaway!!
I'm a Splenda user - and sometimes Stevia user - so this is interesting. I'd like to try it.
Would love to try some!
I am hoping they start carrying this in stores! So far I can only find it online. The confectioners is great!
I haven't tried erythritol yet but am open to it. I have tried stevia in the past and am always curious about new things.
I love Swerve and never get gassy when I used it, which is a plus!
Interesting. Might have to try it
I noticed that Swerve has 5 grams of sugar alcohols in the powdered version. I've been counting sugar alcohols towards my net carb intake. Do they count?
I don't count Swerve in nutrition info because it does not affect blood glucose, here's an article to explain http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.swervesweetener.com%2Fabout-swerve%2F&h=xAQE14lZH
Thanks for this information - it was helpful!