Truvia is a new product being presented in TV ads as stevis, and is said to be availabe in grocery stores. I took a quick look at it on the Truvia website and found that it's main ingredient is erythritol, a sugar alcohol. It also contains stevia, and some natural flavors (no further detail give on the flavors).

Here's the website:

http://truvia.com/

Would it be acceptable for Zone use?

I doubt it. Sears frowns on the use of artificial sweeteners. They can still elevate insulin levels. Perhaps he will make some sort of statement regarding this product, will be interesting to hear his opinion on it.

Thanks for the heads up, Sue! I'll be sure to stay away from Truvia!

Happy Zoning!
Karen

You're welcome Karen!

Hi Linda!

I'm not aware of the effect on insulin that Cran mentioned, but I think I remember Barry Sears writing about umpleasant side effects to your GI system from them.

Sue, I am sure you must be aware of what Barry says about how artificial sweeteners stimulate insulin, as I have seen you post all about it in other threads (I wasn't speaking about the unpleasant side effects of the sugar alcohol).

Also, I have a problem with the way that the package is labeled. Sugar alcohols typically contain carbohydrate, but this particular product does not list any grams of carbohydrate. Must be because the amount was a fraction of a gram, and was not required to be reported. However, in larger proportions, I am sure that there would be a significant carb content.

In light of the way that this product is labeled, I would classify it as an artificial sweetener, since it has the flavor of sugar without the carbs and the calories.

Oh, looks like I need to make another change. I use Equal all the time.

Happy Zoning!
Karen

Karen,

LOL! You sure are picking up a lot of tips!

I don't know exactly why, but Sears seems to favor using Splenda, if one really needs an artificial sweetener. But, his theory on the use of artificial sweeteners is that the tongue senses sweetness, and releases an initial let down of insulin in preparation for the carbs that are perceived. Of course, most sweeteners don't have carbs, and so one is left feeling hunger.

Thanks, CC! I can go back to Splenda ... I actually prefer it but thought I'd save some $$ by going to Equal. I'll make a decision of what I'll as soon as I read the book. I'm still waiting for UPS!

Happy Zoning!
Karen

<div class='NTForums_Quote'>Posted By Cranberrycat on 12/15/2008 3:21 PM

Sue, I am sure you must be aware of what Barry says about how artificial sweeteners stimulate insulin, as I have seen you post all about it in other threads (I wasn't speaking about the unpleasant side effects of the sugar alcohol).

Also, I have a problem with the way that the package is labeled. Sugar alcohols typically contain carbohydrate, but this particular product does not list any grams of carbohydrate. Must be because the amount was a fraction of a gram, and was not required to be reported. However, in larger proportions, I am sure that there would be a significant carb content.

In light of the way that this product is labeled, I would classify it as an artificial sweetener, since it has the flavor of sugar without the carbs and the calories. </div>



The commercials on TV lead one to believe this product is sevia. I started this thread to give everyone a heads up that this product contains more than just stevia, not to advocate the use of the product.

<div class='NTForums_Quote'>Posted By Cranberrycat on 12/15/2008 3:21 PM

Sue, I am sure you must be aware of what Barry says about how artificial sweeteners stimulate insulin, as I have seen you post all about it in other threads (I wasn't speaking about the unpleasant side effects of the sugar alcohol).

Also, I have a problem with the way that the package is labeled. Sugar alcohols typically contain carbohydrate, but this particular product does not list any grams of carbohydrate. Must be because the amount was a fraction of a gram, and was not required to be reported. However, in larger proportions, I am sure that there would be a significant carb content.

In light of the way that this product is labeled, I would classify it as an artificial sweetener, since it has the flavor of sugar without the carbs and the calories. </div>



To Cran and Everyone,

The commercials on TV lead one to believe this product is sevia. I started this thread to give everyone a heads up that this product contains more than just stevia, not to advocate the use of the product. Here's some more intersting info about sugar alcohols, they were first developed for use as laxatives (Ex-Lax). And some more info, some sugar alcohols actually have a high glycemic.

Hi!

Here's some more interesting info. If I remember correctly, it is not just a theory. Barry's remarks were about artificially sweetened soda. The sweet receptors on the tongue sense the sweet taste and stimulate insulin to be produced. He also writes he prevers fructose above all sweeteners. The perosn is left feeling hungry because of the excess insulin that was produced. I done knnow if the same applies when the artificial sweetener is added to solid food containing P, C, and F. It would be interersting to know more about that.

Hi Everyone!

Just wanted to repeat, I'm not advocating the use of artificial sweetener for the Zone. I shy away from their use myself. IMO, it's best to enjoy foods without any sweeteners, and use fructose if a pinch or two of sweetening is desired.

<div class='NTForums_Quote'>Posted By Sue on 12/15/2008 5:43 PM
Hi!

Here's some more interesting info. If I remember correctly, it is not just a theory. Barry's remarks were about artificially sweetened soda. The sweet receptors on the tongue sense the sweet taste and stimulate insulin to be produced. He also writes he prevers fructose above all sweeteners. The perosn is left feeling hungry because of the excess insulin that was produced.
</div>

Sue,

Ahhh, so you DO know about this.

BTW, fructose is not an artificial sweetener. It is a naturally occuring sugar found in fruit. So, what you describe in your post that I quoted would not be a typical response from consuming a product with fructose.

I don't believe I ever said fructose is an artificial sweetener, and I have not commented on what happens when a person eats fructose.

Oh, I must have misunderstood. You spoke of fructose in the paragraph in which you were discussing artificial sweeteners. If you read the paragraph that I quoted, you will see it, sandwiched in there.

Years ago (and before I knew anything about the Zone and while craving carbs), I purchased a can of Sugar Free Macaroons. I thought,"Oh my gosh! Sugar Free?? .... and I can have four of these? Wow!" I took them home, I didn't violate any of my nutritionists rules. I counted the carbs, I halved the value of the sugar alcohols and added them back in as carbs (that's what you get out of those sugar alcohols. Once metabolized, about half the value stated as alcohol) and I was a happy camper. What I didn't know was that the first ingredient was Sorbitol. <img src='desktopmodules/ntforums/images/emoticons/sick.gif' height='20' width='20' border='0' title='Sick' align='absmiddle'> They contain: 90 calories, 4g fat, no trans fats and no cholesterol,15g carbs, 80mg sodium, 4g fiber and 2g protein. I was permitted to have 30g of carbs in a meal and 15g per snack. So I ate four of them. Within hours, I became ill. I felt like I had a fever and was coming down with the flu or something. Then my digestive system plotted a mutiny over the bounty of sorbitol I had eaten. I had no idea that this was going on, I hadn't made the connection. I hadn't eaten any spicy food, or anything greasy. Hmm, better just eat something simple for dinner. I figured a diet soda and some macaroons would be good. Anyone reading this should be shaking their head about now. Let's just say it took three days to be right after doing this. I consumed a bunch of this stuff all at once and it was WAY too much. However, (years later, as in now) once I stopped with the artificially sweetened drinks; certain things changed with me. Urinary irritation stopped, intestinal delicacy stopped, the thirst cycle stopped, and the cravings slowed down. Maybe other people can get away with them, but I don't think I want to anymore, it's not worth it. Once I tried the GNC brand of Stevia, I was thrilled! Why can't I get a good prepackaged drink sweetened with stevia out of a machine on the go? Huh? <img src='desktopmodules/ntforums/images/emoticons/biggrin.gif' height='20' width='20' border='0' title='Big Grin' align='absmiddle'>

Thanks for sharing that! I'll bet the reason you can't find a carbonated drink made with stevia is all about profits. Stevia is not as cheap as artificial sweetners

That's a shame. I'd like a nice decaf tea with stevia. However, like you said, paying $3.00 for 12oz of tea is nuts.

Hi there.

I am curious about why the label states 0 calories, yet it has 3g of carbs? I usually use 1 rounded teaspoon of sugar (2g) for my coffee, along with flavored non-dairy coffee creamer, and have recently decided to use 1 packet of the truvia in place of the sugar.

ince I only drink 1 (or occasionally 2 cups of coffee per day) for my carbs with my breakfast, I see it as my guilty pleasure, and I also take my 8 Omega Rx capsules + 4 Micro Nutrient capsules with it. .

Which is better for my coffee? Sugar or truvia?

Thanks.

Good questions!

How about trying some stevia? No carbs in stevia.

As for the labeling, I don't know the FDA rules on labeling, but I am pretty sure that they can list 0 calories if the calorie composition is less than a certain amount (and I don't know what that amount would be). In any case, good job looking for the carb grams!!

Ayesha, if I was given the choice between Truvia and sugar, I'd choose sugar because Truvia contains sugar alcohols (I avoid sugar alcohols). That said, I don't drink coffee and and I don't sweeten any of the tea I drink. It would be better to drink your coffee black, and switch to decaf if you haven't already.

Black coffee? Are you kidding me? Too bitter for me. I like the coffee creamer and I can easily take the Omega Rx capsules with it.

However, I do like Saudi green coffee with cardamom that is always served without any sugar, although one usually eats dates or sweets with it. I will have to get some more since we ran out and see if it works as a substitute for me.

And with regard to caffeine, I usually drink only 1 cup made with instant expresso in the morning. And I did find the following on another thread about coffee posted by Cranberry Cat:

"17 Nov 2010 05:47 PM
Ahhh! Found it!

"It’s the metabolic breakdown products of coffee that increase insulin. However, increasing insulin is different than insulin resistance, which comes from a dysfunctional insulin signaling system in target cells. Once you develop insulin resistance, insulin levels are elevated all day in spite of any coffee consumption. Coffee also contain polyphenols that have anti-inflammatory properties that would help prevent the development of diabetes in some individuals. Bottom line, if you don’t have insulin resistance (a low TG/HDL ratio would be indicative that you don’t), then drinking coffee in moderation may have some anti-inflammatory benefits.

Barry"

http://www.zonediet.com/forums/aft/60595

* * *

I do actually drink decaf during Ramadhan (at night), and may switch to it again after receiving the lab results from my doctor's appointment in the first week of November. We will see. The real issue for me is the coffee creamer, and not really the caffeine,which is secondary for me. And taking the Omega Rx capsules