cooking sugar-free with xylitol
As many of you who follow the I Quit Sugar journey know, my preferred sweetener is rice malt syrup and stevia for a number of reasons, which you can catch up on here. But I’ve also mentioned before that xylitol is one of the very few safe sugar alcohols and works a treat for baking.
Our I Quit Sugar friend Nat Kringoudis is a xylitol fan, and I’ve asked her to share why this is the case, plus a few very pretty sugar-free recipes from her new book Eat Fat Be Thin. Go Nat!
Nut and yoghurt tart, recipe below
Nat is an acupuncturist, herbalist, natural fertility educator, writer, blogger and natural health expert…and mum!… and has often helped us with our I Quit Sugar programs, most recently helping to answer questions on our I Quit Sugar Facebook page program. Nat has been following I Quit Sugar from the start, and also lives sugar free. In her new book, Nat has joined forces with Andi Lew to inspire women of all ages to be healthy by eating plenty of healthy fat.
Nat says: Xylitol is another alternative to sugar and artificial sweeteners, and may be used safely in small amounts. Derived from the birch tree:
- it is widely used in chewing gums as it inhibits bacterial growth and reduces the incidence of cavities.
- it tastes exactly like sugar, and is especially good for diabetics and those who are hypoglycaemic.
- it’s safe: a 1986 study verified Xylitol’s safety and it received the highest and safest ADI (acceptable daily intake) rating.
- it can be purchased from health food stores and you can use it as a sweetener in drinks and baked goods.
- it has 40% less calories than sugar.
- it’s also plant-derived, which means it’s natural, unlike aspartame, which has been known to be carcinogenic and affect the digestive system.
Xylitol like anything is really safe in small doses and like with all our recipes, these were created as ‘treats.’ Xylitol in larger doses (more than 50gm per serve) may have a laxative effect, just like many fruits would – so be aware that overdoing may see you visiting the loo more than usual! There are no other reported problems associated with xylitol in healthy doses – and like all foods we encourage our readers to eat a variety of fresh whole foods.
Nat has also shared two xylitol recipes from her Eat Fat Be Thin book.
Nut and Yoghurt Tart
- 3 cups of almond meal
- 2 cups xylitol (for the base and the filling)
- 120g coconut butter
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1.5 cups of yoghurt (we prefer sheep’s milk yoghurt)
- zest and juice of one orange
Preheat oven to 180 C. Combine almond meal, xylitol, coconut butter and 1 tsp salt in a bowl then rub ingredients together with fingertips. Spoon half the mixture into a lightly greased (with coconut butter) and lined spring form tin, gently pressing to evenly cover base.
With the remaining mixture add egg, yoghurt and cinnamon to remaining crumble mixture and beat with a wooden spoon until smooth and creamy. Pour over prepared base and smooth top. Bake until golden (30-35 minutes). Cool in pan on a wire rack to room temperature then serve with extra yoghurt.
Orange and chia seed cake
Orange and Chia Seed Cake
Serves 12
- 2 oranges – tops removed / cut and scored with a cross about 3cm deep
- 6 organic free range eggs
- 250g xylitol
- 250g almond meal
- 3 tsp baking powder
- 2 tblsp soaked chia seeds
Preheat the oven to 160 C. Place the prepared oranges in boiling water and simmer for 50 minutes. Remove from the water and puree the whole orange, including peel in a food processor, until smooth.
In a large mixing bowl; mix the eggs and xylitol until light and fluffy. Add the almond meal and baking powder. Mix until combined. Stir in the orange puree and soaked chia seeds. Pour the mixture into a 22cm cake tin lined with grease proof baking paper. Do not use foil. Bake in the oven for 40 minutes or until firm, but still moist. It may need to cook for up to 50 minutes. Leave to cool in the tin for about 5 minutes, then turn onto a wire rack and cool there.
Note: This cake is a really wet cake and can stay fresh for a few days. It can be served warm with sheep’s milk yoghurt dolloped on the side. The almond meal provides aa gluten free treat and once again high in protein. This is a twist on the traditional orange and poppy seed cake, but the chia seeds are very high in essential fatty acids. It’s a great way of consuming chia seeds.
Nat and Andi are generously giving away 5 copies of the ebook version ($12.95) of Eat Fat Be Thin on my blog today.
Simply comment below to be in the running to win. We will randomly select five winners by 5pm Friday 25.
That orange and chia seed cakes sounds fantastic! I’d love to check out their new book!
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February 8th, 2013 at 10:29 pm
I just bought your cookbook and love, love it! I too thought I was being healthy eating lots of natural sweetners such as raw honey, organic maple syrup and dark choc..and wondering why I wasn’t losing weight or feeling better despite eating so ‘healthy’. I have already made half a dozen recipes, one of my favourites is the avocado pops. I added mint and used greek yoghurt instead of coconut cream, and omitted the rice syrup. I froze it in a slab, cut them into squares and then rolled them in a crumble like mix (made with toasted macadamias, pinenuts, cacao nibs, shredded coconut, vanilla powder, licorice root tea – ground into a powder, pink salt and leftover almond meal I had). It looked like a big beautiful icy green lamington and one small square was completely satisfying!
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Finally there is some help for people like me who need help with their diet. I love your site Sara and will be buying your book. I suffer from Candida and got sick last year and your website was an inspiration. I can’t wait to read Nat’s ebook eat fat be thin. It’s hard to find good recipes that taste great and help me get better as I live in rural NSW. Since I went Sugar free I have been feeling great, have slipped a bit lately with the holiday season but will be cruising your site to get revved up again. 2013 is my year to change my life for the better. Thank you both so much.
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Thanks Sarah, Nat & Andi – I am always looking for recipes that are suitable to bring into work for morning teas and parties – I am sugar free and therefore do not eat the cakes others bring in. 2 of the girls at work are gluten intolerant therefore they also have to steer clear of the goodies others bring in – thank for sugar free, wheat free recipes – now I can bring in some yummy goodies for our next morning tea that everyone in the office can enjoy xx
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I want to try the orange cake. Sounds divine.
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Drooling over the orange and chia cake whilst keeping fingers crossed I win the ebook
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Thanks so much for posting the recipes – there are so few sugar-free resources in the UK so your ebooks have been lifesavers! Can’t wait to read Nat and Andi’s too xxx
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After losing 60 lbs in the last two years, I still don’t feel well. I continue to have severe muscle aches and digestive problems. I am now looking at trying to go wheat and sugar free to see if that will help. So I would love to have additional recipes to help in the transition period. Thanks for offering this giveaway!
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I can’t wait to try the orange and chia cake- sounds great!
A couple of mates and I did Nat kringoudis’ cleanse/ detox last November and even though it was a lot more fruit than I had been eating on iqs by the end of the week we felt
Fantastic.. Particularly cos we decided to celebrate with a trip to the Japanese bathhouse.
Just wondering… What is coconut butter and where do you get it?
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Lovely recipes and so good to have the mysteries of xylitol made a bit clearer. My dad has just found out he’s diabetic and the whole family has turned to me to try and help, I’m confident with recipes like these, he won’t be so distraught.
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Xylitol is fab
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Thanks Sarah and Nat! That tart looks divine so I will give it a go
I have recently stumbled upon Nat’s health talks with Mel and Jess (Wellness Warrior) and I am loving all of your instagrams, blogs and websites. So much inspiration and support on the web for all of us who want to love healthy, full fat, low sugar energetic lives 
Love to you all,
Simone
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that orange and chia cake looks amaaaazing!
i want to read that ebook, thanks for the contest!
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I need this in my life now.
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Hi! I’m always trying to find a way to ‘cheat’ since giving up sugar last May, so this is another great sweetener to try!
I’d love a copy of the book, another resource in my quest to be healthy and happy.
x
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Thanks for the opportunity to win this book! I have set a goal of losing 40 kgs for health reasons and I am always looking for inspiration to keep my family’s tummy satisfied while going through this process. These recipes look great!
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Can’t wait to try the Nut and Yoghurt Tart, it sounds delicious! I’ve never baked with xylitol, so am excited to try a healthy sugar alternative. So far my no-sugar baking has been limited to recipes with bananas where they were the only source of sweetness, but reading more about fructose makes me think that’s not such a great idea after all.
Is coconut butter the same as coconut oil?
And thank you for the giveaway offer!
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Yay!! I can trick the kids into thinking that I’ve made a fully loaded cake! They tell their friends that their lives have changed (and not for the better) since mum quit sugar…No more juice and sugar laden cereals! They are however much nicer boys for it! Love the title of the book and I can’t wait to read it x
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That book looks great. Currently wheat and dairy free and attempting sugar free. Can certainly use recipe help!!
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I have struggled with the lack of ‘treat’ food on an IQS diet but this tart and using xylitol just might be my turning point! Looks delish. I’d love a copy of the book, I follow them on instagram and love the idea behind it!
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Sarah, why would you cook amphibians? Surely there is some other exotic pet you could use to supplement for sugar instead of a Mexican walking fish, oh wait that’s an axolotl, you may continue.
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January 22nd, 2013 at 9:12 am
haha! I actually went back up to check if Sarah had indeed said Axolotl before reading the rest of this comment! oops!
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January 22nd, 2013 at 3:48 pm
I think an Axolotl would be ok to eat, they look like they sausages with little legs and would fit nicely on a skewer.
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January 22nd, 2013 at 4:23 pm
Mexicans eat them. Or they did before they became kind of rare due to habitat destruction. Fun fact for the day!
If it exists in a non-Western country, and isn’t poisonous, you can bet your ass creative humans have found a way to eat it.
January 22nd, 2013 at 9:41 am
Dork! (adam) x
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January 22nd, 2013 at 3:45 pm
Dork is the best word, second to Dweeb.
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January 22nd, 2013 at 11:22 am
hehe!
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Is the coconut butter in the first recipe coconut oil or something different? Loving earth call their. Oil a butter?
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January 22nd, 2013 at 4:11 pm
You can use either. Coconut oil is that which is extracted from the meat. Coconut butter is the meat blended up to form butter!
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I’ve been contemplating quitting sugar, and have thought much more seriously about it since reading more about being “fat skinny” (or whatever it’s being called now). I’d love to start out with a book like this to help me along!
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January 25th, 2013 at 11:15 am
Hi Stephanie,
You’ve won a copy of Nat’s Eat Fat Be Thin ebook, email jo@sarahwilson.com.au to claim your prize!
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January 28th, 2013 at 1:25 pm
Thank you, Sarah! I can’t wait to read this. (It’ll pair well with I Quit Sugar.)
Thanks again, and be well,
Stephanie
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What a catchy title and front pic. The orange cake looks so fresh and delish and I’d love to try other recipes. I’m all for ‘eating fat to be healthy’. If only we could educate young people more about the importance of these good fats to feel good and achieve their best. Would love a copy of this book:)
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The orange and chia seed cake looks delicious!
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This sounds great! I can’t get used to stevia so going to try this (once I finish the stevia – it does taste quite good as a sugar syrup substitute in mojitos!)
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January 25th, 2013 at 11:16 am
Hi Briony,
You’ve won a copy of Nat’s Eat Fat Be Thin ebook, email jo@sarahwilson.com.au to claim your prize!
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Both of these recipes sound amazing! Looking forward to trying them out. Cheers
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Love Nat and love Andi – I only just finished reading Andi’s book 7 things your Doctor forgot to tell you – very informative, well worth it. Those cakes look delish and I reckon I could even convince my 3 year old to eat those. Would love to win a copy of their book.
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Hi Sarah, love your blog and I am looking forward to getting your ‘I quit sugar’ book when it comes out. I would love to win a copy of ‘eat fat be thin’!
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Gluten free orange and almond cake is my favourite dessert – I can’t wait to try this version!
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Just one note about xylitol – it is okay for humans, but toxic to dogs. It causes a dangerous drop in blood sugar that can kill them.
This is why I switched to erithrytol.
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January 26th, 2013 at 9:23 am
I was just about to comment the same thing – not to feed your scraps to your dogs as it can kill them. I also tried erithrytol but find it has more of a mouth cooling effect than xylitol, so when baking for the kids I have started using xylitol (and I don’t have any dogs to worry about).
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Thank you for always sharing such great information! Look forward to tracking down xylitol and trying those two yummy recipes above. I’ve already got your amazing IQS and cookbook–—would love to add Eat Fat Be Thin to my new cooking repertoire, too!
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Yum those recipes look amazing! Once I’m past my first few months of being sugar free, I will definitely be trying! (Day 22 and counting…)
Bec
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“Eat Fat Be Thin” – Love the tongue in cheek title! Sums up the IQS lifestyle perfectly!
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those recipies look very yummy! I will definitely be trying them.
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The recipes look great, thanks for sharing! I am so interested in any recipes that are sugar free. I have irritable bowel syndrome, and have also suffered with anxiety, headaches, and have been overweight for much of my 32 years.
I never realised the connection that my diet would play in these issues until about 6 months ago when I started really becoming interested in natural and nutritional medicine and got hooked on reading Sarah’s blog. I stopped eating sugar and also cut out milk (I drink nut milk instead), wheat, onions and garlic and stopped being afraid of fat. I now make sure to include plenty of healthy fats in my diet such as coconut oil, avocado, olive oil, yoghurt and nuts and it has made such a huge difference to my life. This change is for life and I don’t feel deprived or that I’m missing out on anything. I can’t stand to eat anything with sugar in it now as it’s just too sweet and I don’t miss the old me who felt sick and tired all the time! I haven’t had a symptom of IBS in quite a while now, and my headaches have gone and I no longer feel anxious all the time.
This change has been so profound for me that I’m looking at studying nutritional medicine in the next couple of years so I can help others understand the dietary connection to their health problems.
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How can you not judge a book by it’s cover when the cover is that great? I’m having FOMO just looking at it. I’d love to win a copy!
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January 25th, 2013 at 11:17 am
Hi Kate,
You’ve won a copy of Nat’s Eat Fat Be Thin ebook, email jo@sarahwilson.com.au to claim your prize!
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Both sound really yummy for home made coffee and cake dates with the girls. They will be beyond impressed with the ‘no sugar’ policy
Also another book to put on my to buy list (right after the printed I quit sugar)
Thanks again for another great (and useful) post
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Thank you for the recipes, they both look so good. I’d love to win the book. It would be good to have a few more recipes like this in my arsenal.
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Yum! Both recipes look delicious. And very easy to make. Can’t wait to try them. I love baked goods with yoghurt as an ingredient. Nat x
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Those recipes look DELISH!
Thank you for your ongoing inspiration in health and cooking. I am always on the hunt for gluten-free healthy treats to bring to work to inspire the rest of my workplace and can’t wait to try these two out! Danielle x
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yum – looks delicious!
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Sarah, your commitment to sharing your health journey with us is commendable, given too the amount of criticism that it also brings you. I am, and have been, inspired for quite some time now and I have had many and varied success/failures when trying to decipher what does/does not work for me. Plus, as I work in education the increase of health issues presenting only heighten the importance of eating cleanly and in as natural state as possible.
I’m doing your IQS Plan again – I did it once before – thought it worked – then it wasn’t, so I abandoned it, only to realise that it did in fact work! So going in for a second go. But this time will be different as I won’t have as many other health issues that will impede it.
I hope too to also look to being gluten/grain free and reduce dairy – this recipe book looks like a gem of a read and inspiration – thanks girls!
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Thanks for the special offer. It’s really hard to find recipes which are sugar, dairy and wheat free. Would love to try some of these. Thank you all!
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oh wow, that sounds yummy…and the book sounds amazing! I’d love to win, but if I’m not that lucky, I’m going to purchase a copy!
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Yum yum! Definitely giving these recipes a whirl. I’ve baked with xyiltol before and I found that (especially in small doses) it doesn’t stimulate overindulging the way regular sugar does. It definitely has less of an aftertaste than stevia. I even like to combine the two!
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Looks delicious. Love this site for all the new sugar free recipes. Keep them coming!
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I need that tart in and around my face.
Wow. That sounds REALLY bad out of context hahaha
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Both cakes look wonderful. I can’t wait to try them.
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Oh please Nat and Andi’s book would do the trick! I’m after some more inspiration as I try to loose some weight. Sarah I purchased your ebooks and shared the information with my family and mainly my 4 beautiful granddaughters. They try very hard o be sugar free (along with their parents) and have placed n order for your hardcover book. I haven’t used Xylitol but must give it a whirl. The kids would love some of the treats like the tart and orange cake when they know it won’t do them any harm. Would love to win the book. Cheers
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Never used xylitol but am going to drop into the health food shop on the way home
Definitely need a copy of Eat Fat Be Thin! And definitely making the orange and chia seed cake tonight 
Thank you!
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I would love to read this book. I need to sort my diet out sooner rather than later.
The orange cake sounds yummy!
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I did a cleanse through Nat and it was awesome! Both recipes look delicious, however, “2 cups xylitol” in a the nut tart? I have never tried it but that seems an awful lot, even if it is considered a ‘safe alternative’ to sugar. Is there something else that could replace it totally? Sorry, I’m not trying to be negative and I am certainly no nutritionist, but I am curious
Thanks for sharing
Lauren
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January 22nd, 2013 at 4:16 pm
Thank you for asking this question actually. It’s 2 cups between the base and the filling. So one cup in the base and 1 cup in the filling. You could definitely halve it and I think it would be more to my taste buts anyway but for sharing these foods with ‘virgins’ of no sugar, we wanted to make it tasty for them. It is a very valid point.
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January 22nd, 2013 at 9:14 pm
Thanks Nat!
Does that mean you could leave it out totally? or sub for something else?
Lauren
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Looking forward to trying these recipe’s. I’ve been sugar free for 7 days now and am feeling really good. Thanks a million to Sarah for her amazing IQS program.
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I LOVEEE the title of this book! Just what i’m looking for. Some delicious sugar free, dairy free, wheat free recipes to make and share with the world! Show them that healthy really can taste divine
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Can’t wait to try them! I have been hesitant with Xylitol in sugar free baking… even after seeing it in a few recipes… so might have to start becoming more adventurous!
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January 25th, 2013 at 11:17 am
Hi Ashleigh,
You’ve won a copy of Nat’s Eat Fat Be Thin ebook, email jo@sarahwilson.com.au to claim your prize!
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Beautiful recipes, really want to make the nut & yoghurt tart.
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Both cakes sound delicious, will be seeking out xylitol in my local health food shop. The book cover is fab too, Andi and Nat look healthy and gorgeous. It’s a great ad for eating more fat!
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This recipe sounds delicious (and easy!) Would love to win a copy of the e-book
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These recipes look fantastic. I have been doing a lot of cooking experiments with clean treats lately & these look a great addition to my repertoire. I haven’t cooked with xylitol
before but you have inspired me to give it a try
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Could you do macarons with xylitol? Has anyone got any experience in this area? Otherwise, Sarah and Nat, I am laying down the gauntlet and issuing a challenge for fructose-free macarons.
I have an unholy love of macarons, you have no idea. Occasionally I just bake them and to hell with the sugar, but they never sit right, after an extremely low sugar diet for so long.
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January 22nd, 2013 at 9:09 pm
I can’t see why this wouldn’t work – give it a try Mia and please show us if you are successful – we’d love to see.
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January 24th, 2013 at 12:29 pm
One of Sarah’s previous posts gave some great recipes for sweets and one of those was for sugar-free macarons. however the recipe calls them almond macaroons. search “macaroons” and the heading of the post is “5 clever sugar-quitting recipes on a Tuesday”, dated 6/11/12. I am also in love with macarons and this recipe has helped me make some for fam and friends and allows me to partake in enjoying them…. without the guilt or upset stomach. hope this helps xo
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January 24th, 2013 at 12:36 pm
Thank you Brooke!
What do you do for the icing sugar bit in the middle? I’m fine with the macaron part but it’s the icing bit I am stumped on.
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January 24th, 2013 at 6:28 pm
You can buy xylitol in icing sugar form – that could possibly work but unsure of how that would work. Most of the macarons i make have a ganache in the middle (sugar free chocholate/caoca and cream)
ohhh, please pick me! I’m actually enjoying a sugar free diet, this would give me even more motivation!
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I like to cook with xylitol as my blood sugar gets grumpy, at last a recipe book where i don’t have to guess the convertions.
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I use xylitol or coconut palm sugar. Have you tried coconut palm sugar? What are your thoughts on it?
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Just for anyone trying to find xylitol, you can easily order it online. Xylitol is less sweet than sugar and it has a slight minty taste to it. You can use it for any baking.. and hot drinks. But it doesn’t blend with cold water though.
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Great post, love finding new recipes that include good fats but are sugar, gluten and dairy free!!
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I’m sugar free for over 2 months now and I’m always on the hunt for new recipes.
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I love sugarfree recipies, I’m always on the lookout for new ones
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Thanks for these great recipes.. can’t wait to experiment with xylitol!!
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I am a fructose malabsorper and I think xylitol is off limits for me. Is maple syrup a safe alternative?
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I have been experimenting with sweeteners with recipes for my family in an attempt to get them to quit sugar. I have not been successful as them sweeteners don’t cut if for them. I would love to try more recipes with xylitol and get the family on the bandwagon.
Having lost 10 kilos when I quit sugar last year I would love to try more recipes from this book
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Looks fantastic ! Have cut back on wheat, sugar and almost all dairy already. Plucking up the courage for the IQS challenge. Thanks for all the marvelous info and resources! x
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Love LOVE luuuurveee the xylitol recipes – thank you Nat and Sarah for your passion and your sharing and caring about the rest of us
I am going to dedicate this year to giving up sugar FOR GOOD!
Wish me luck
Dawn
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Yum! Both recipes look delicious! Love Nat’s work
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Hurrah! Another great tool to help me live a gluten free and sugar free life.
Sarah, if you haven’t seen it already, you should check out the cookbook from the Babycakes NYC bakery. Their stuff is gluten free and sugar free and I think possibly dairy free too. And are DELICIOUS
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Sugar free, dairy free and wheat free – oh my! I am new to sugar-free and have enjoyed following via your eBook – but a hard copy recipe book to follow in the kitchen would be great. My fingers are crossed.
Thanks Sarah, Nat and Andi.
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They both sound delish! I’d LOVE to win a copy of their cookbook!
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Thank you for the information above; I have been interested in trying Xylitol ans Stevia because I am intolerant to sugar and I am just embarking on the I Quit Sugar programme
Would love to win this book to get some yummy, healthy recipes! This may sound like a silly question, but is almond meal, ground almonds?? I’m from the UK, so I’m not sure if you use a different name for it! 
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Oh YUM that nut &yoghurt tart has me salivating! Haven’t tried xylitol yet but its on the list as not that impressed with dextrose or stevia, & neither are my harshest critics – the kids!Would love some more recipes to win them over!
Im curious to know thoughts on coconut palm sugar also? Have read its at least low fructose I think and caramelises like brown sugar so keen to know if its IQS approved &available in Aus!
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Yum! Those recipes sound divine! I am going to go to bed dreaming of that orange and chia seed cake
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Yum-I could do this…
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The recipes look delicious – thanks.
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Yummo!!! I quit sugar 13 weeks ago and before that was an avid baker. These recipes sounds fantastic for helping me bake a special treat without forgoing my new found love of sugar free living.
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Those recipes sounds great – would love the opportunity to win the book!
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Love the recipies. I prefer to use Stevia and suggest this for my patients but I’m always willing to rty new ideas.
Smiles and abundant health, Ziggy
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Hello sarah, thanking you for inspirations on quitting sugar and alternatives, like Nat and xylitol.
Love your work
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Hi Sarah and Nat,
Looking forward to your new book Nat, your food ideas are always fantastic!
Thank you for the recipes, they are amazing as always! Sarah your website is very inspiring, I’ve jumped on the bike-riding band-wagon
Jo x
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The book looks wonderful as do the recipes. I have an abundance of rhubarb in my garden, but didn’t know how to cook it without sugar, looks like I’ll be getting some Xylitol to try.I have tried stevia but I notice an aftertaste which I don’t like.
Thanks Sarah. Keep up the great work.
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Thank you for theses recipes!!! I love reading about other takes on sugar free treats as they provide me confidence in my own experimentation!
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Interested to read more! Thanks for the giveaway
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Would love to get my hands on that book! Wheat, sugar and dairy are the three things I am trying to live without.
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I am definitely going to try both these recipes! Quitting sugar has changed my life and I’m no longer getting sick, my skin is better and I am generally happier.
I love this blog, I am now addicted to it instead of sugar! xx
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Both recipes look delicious! I wonder if I’ll be able to find xylitol in my grocery store.
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I have been having such a great time making recipies from the I quit sugar cookbook I would love to try recipies from the Eat Fat Be Thin ebook. Nat, Andi, Sarah thank you so much for sharing all your recipies with the world it is truly a joy to make and devour them!
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Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us! It makes this journey less daunting and makes me feel like I can do it!
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Thanks for all the information on Nat and her recipe looks delicious
Trying to make a go of it for myself and teen daughters again
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I’ve been baking with natvia and rice malt syrup sine starting IQS but never really thought about using xylitol. The yoghurt tart sounds delish! Would love to win the book and learn more.
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I am really pleased I found this article! I have tried Stevia but find it has a strange after taste, and kind of coats my teeth and mouth, so I can’t wait to try Xylitol. I have been sugar free for a few months now and feel great! Finding recipes so I can bake again, is fantastic! I love to bake, and my children will be happy now I can make them some biscuits again!
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Lovely recipes! Where I live (in SE China) it is very hard to get most of these ingredients, for healthier sweet treats – except, dextrose/glucose. The powdered form is readily available in all pharmacies and supermarkets – much easier to get than back in Australia.
Also, when using dextrose, I tend to have better results with non-baked or creamy items. think mousse, cheesecake, flan, etc. For some reason the sweetness tends to dissipate a lot when baking so i’ll stick to such things when using it on sugar-free newbies or non-sugar-free types.
Thanks again!
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Woot woo! What a babe’n cover! I would absolutely love to win this! I am an e-book junkie (lucky not a sugar junkie) and would love to review and share with my readers on my blog. Great present for completely a 14 day detox! And yes I am not going to lie, I am kind of a little bit loopy! x
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I saw them on a repeat of one of the morning shows on Monday night. Looks great. I use Xylitol for baking as it is the easiest to substitute and the best tasting sugar alternative but do find that it upsets my stomach if I have it too regularly.
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Hi Sarah!
I would like to enter this contest, but I also have a few questions for you.
I am afraid my comment may get overlooked since this is a giveaway post!
You mention you prefer Rice Malt Syrup as your sweetener of choice, what are your reasons for this? (Perhaps you can direct me to a past post on it? I read the one you wrote on stevia, which I have been using for years, but haven’t heard of rice malt syrup being an option for us no-sugar gals:)
Also, I would love to buy your new book! I follow my own auto-immune type diet, so I also avoid eggs and most dairy, and grains (exception for buckwheat/quinia). Would there still be recipe options for me in your book?
Thanks! and keep up the awesome work!
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Hoping I’m not too late to put my name forward!
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These recipes look so delicious! I can’t wait to make them tomorrow and would love to win the ebook!
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I would love to win a copy of the ebook… the recipes must be amazing!
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Have recently been learning more and more about the importance of eating enough good fat. I would love to read this book for some good recipe ideas.
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Holy schmoly that orange cake looks so delish!
I’m definitely going to try that one today seeing as it’s my birthday
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Would love to win this!
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Very yummy indeed! I have just started my certification with Integrative Nutrition, much encouraged by this blog, and am very excited to begin exploring the range of amazing healthy recipes out there. I might just have to get in the kitchen this weekend and whip up this cake!
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That cake & tart look PHENOMENAL. I am still in the early days of quitting sugar and the more recipes I have in my arsenal the better!
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wow these recipes look amazing!
i failed at quitting sugar on my first attempt, 5 weeks into Sarahs programme i caved but im starting again! i will beat sugar 
i love eating more healthy fat it keeps me fuller longer and it has made me so much healthier
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I would love to win this for my Dad. He is 67 yrs old and he is on a BIG health journey. Following a lifetime of gut and skin issues, he has finally sort out advice from non-western medicine. He has been advised to go fructose and wheat free. A daunting task for him and my mum whom have had a lifetime of eating patterns programmed into their brains. I would love to show him that because he has changed his diet to eliminate these products, he will not be missing out. Thanks
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Both recipes sound fabulous!! And so does Andi and Natalie’s book!
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Book looks great! Would love to read it
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really need this right now. fingers crossed
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Pick me
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Hi ladies,
Would love this book right now as would all those who have commented above me!!Best of luck to all!!
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Thanks so much for the post on Xylitol, it was so helpful. I made some coconut flour lamingtons using it last night and they are so fabulous. You can check them out here http://cookchewconquer.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/gluten-free-lamingtons.html
I’ve also pre-ordered a hard copy of your cookbook Sarah, can’t wait til it lands on my desk with pages of sugar free inspo for me! Great work x
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Love love love!!!! Both those recipes look delicious! I am loving my IQS eating plan at the moment (three weeks in
) and would love to get a few more recipes from the Eat Fat, Be Thin cookbook. Thanks for sharing all the yummy recipes.
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Wow… I am loving these sugar free recipes and the book by Nat and Andi would be a fantastic addition to the recipes I have been collecting. I am dying to try the Orange and Chia seed and like a few of the comments above with morning teas at work there are very few options I eat so I love to add a sugar free option and this one sounds delicious
These posts keep me motivated and on the right path…Thanks xx
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I love xylitol & use it in my tea. Just wish it was a bit cheaper here in NZ.
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The orange and chia seed cake looks delicious and cant wait to try it. yummo
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That cookbook looks fantastic – I love the concept and the idea of getting it out to a wider audience!
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I was only reading up on how to replace sugar with xylitol in baking this week, a very timely post !
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Is erythritol safe as a sweetner? Would also love a copy of the book
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I love dessert. I particularly love dessert with no guilt. Who can deny the amount of happiness and health that these recipes could bring to everyone – if only we could spread the message to those with dire health problems due to awful sugar and bad fats…
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Would love that book! Both recipes look divine!
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Amazing! I’d love to win this book – eating yourself thin sounds amazing!
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These both look and sound delish. It’s hard sometimes to find inspiration, especially when it comes to entertaining my non sugar/gluten free friends. It’s also hard to convince them that I’m not abnormal for not eating sugar or wheat. These recipes should do the trick!! Can’t wait to see the rest of them.
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I’ve been sugar free for 6 months now – and love the receipes you put up. Looking forward to receiving my pre-ordered hard copy of your book Sarah. as a mum with 2 small kids, its great to be able to give them sugar free treats so they dont feel like they are missing out all the time. Would love to also receive a copy of Eat Fat Be Thin.
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Hi Sarah, (or whoever cares to answer this)
Totally inspired and off sugar now for two weeks. Wasn’t that hard.
I am using Xylitol as an alternative (can’t stand the after taste of Stevia) and wanted to check what “reasonable amounts” are? I take it in yoghurt (once every two days) and in my coffee (two cups a day, two teaspoons of Xylitol). Other than that in an occasional low-carb cheese cake or tea. Is that ok?
As Xylitol has 2/3rds of the cals in sugar, will I still lose weight? Or should I even quit Xylitol if weight loss is my goal?
Greetings from a fellow Hashimoto diagnosed person from Mullum
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Looking forward to getting both books to help me with my Hashimotos problems as I’m quite new to gluten free but I do like a bit of a treat now & then. Old habits die hard. I prefer xylitol over stevia – it’s a taste thing for me. It’s moments like these that I love ‘the internetz’ for helping me discover there is a world beyond my unhelpful GP’s view on my thyroid. Thank you Sarah.
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January 25th, 2013 at 12:54 pm
I am not a doctor and won’t even try to give you medical advice, but my “holistic” doctor advised me to take pig thyroid stuff (for life) which I didn’t like so much.
I decided to go on 12 day water fast and allowed my body to heal itself.
I went back for blood tests etc and the guy was amazed!! My readings showed I was Hashimoto free!
Look into it, if you are interested. Was one of the best 12 days of my life
.
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January 25th, 2013 at 2:06 pm
Thanks Jan. I’m actually going to see a new GP in February who is more holistic and has Hashimotos herself. Getting the Thyroflex test done. Not sure if I could do a 12 day water fast – yikes! Did you function normally? I have a 5 year old son and work part time so not sure how I would cope. However every option is worth exploring. Thanks
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January 25th, 2013 at 2:33 pm
A good read is: The Idiot’s Guide to Thyroid Diseaseby Dr Christianson
The water fast I did internally at a wellbeing center. You can’t work or attend to kids. You sleep a lot and you want to be alone and silent. I read a lot, played the guitar, listened too music, watched movies and wrote.
A nurse will monitor you daily and you need good quality water.
If you do it like this, it is actually wonderful. You feel great. Clean. Energised. Light. Your taste buds get re-booted, your organs and skin are like you are re-born (without needing to become a Christian
).
I LOVED it…
January 25th, 2013 at 3:07 pm
Aah yes, I’ve been to Hopewood Health Retreat before and noticed people doing the monitored water fast. Mmmmm, being alone, silent, reading and watching movies. Awesome. Will look for the book. Thanks again.
Hey there
I’m interested in trying xylitol is good to know now that it’s a ‘better’ sweetener option. I’m a big rice malt syrup fan myself.
Been sugar free since Jan 1st and loving it. I’ve lost almost 3kgs, I’m happier (depression and anxiety has lessened) my skin is clearer and I don’t have the 3pm slump anymore. Think ill be sugar free for life now
Eat fat be thin would be a great way for me to widen my reading with regards to being sugar free
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Will be popping down to my local health food shop to buy some Xylitol so I can try out these brilliant recipes! Yummo
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I have just started a sugar free world with the awesome help of ‘I quit sugar’, it’s been a amazing so far and I’m very excited about finding many more sugar free recipes and getting my kids sugar free as well.
Both the recipes look amazing!
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I am fat, but want to be thin! Sounds like the book for me:)
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I’ve known for a long time and 2013 is the year the the kids baked goods get the no sugar treatment thanks for the motivation I needed x
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WOW!!! Learning so much from you wonderful ladies. Working as a chef for over 10 years (cooking and eating everything!) but now moving towards a wholefoods, all natural lifestyle and blogs like this are holding my hand through the process. Thank you!
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I’m just starting on my journey to a cleaner, sugar free life. Suffering from a wheat intolerance, I have already had to learn how to adapt – so as I also try to eliminate evil sugar, I know it will get easier! Keep up the good work ladies, as we seek to educate a generation. I’ll do my best to do my bit too!
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I’ve used xylitol for a few years now and loved the like for like replacement for sugar, it made converting recipes super easy. However recently I’ve noticed I get stomach cramps after I’ve eaten it. I’m disappointed as dislike the after taste of stevia so am in a quandary as to what to use. I’ve resorted to mainly using rice malt syrup.
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I made a raw chocolate slice with xylitol before..it was ultra sweet! It would be good to try it in baking instead!
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David Gillepsie recommends the glucose powder as a replacement (malodextrin??) I’ve read mixed things on this, what’s your opinion Sarah, as I am sure you have looked into it and trust your opinion? Thank you, love your blog
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I use xylitol, but only rarely. It is extremely toxic to cats & dogs, possibly to other pets/animals too. Also, most xylitol commonly available is derived from corn, not birch. If it’s expensive & clearly labelled as birch derived xylitol, it is. But I’ve never seen it in a shop, only online. Otherwise you can assume it’s corn derived. Probably from GMO corn unless specified non-GMO.
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Hi Sarah & Nat,
I am wheat intolerant as well as diary and egg. Is egg replacement ok to use in the receipes??
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I’m definitely making the orange and chia seed cake
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Great book title, it’s almost my to do list for 2013 – eat fat, quit sugar, be thin (and well).
) Look forward to trying these recipes
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Im in week 2 of IQS and excited to try all sorts of new recipes like these in my new lifestyle!
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Hi!!
I have just read about you and the I Quit Sugar journey in the Sunday Times in WA
Did someone really lose 55kgs on the 8 week programme?? That’s amazing!! Or do you mean they lost 55kgs on a Sugar Free journey following the 8 week intro??
I’m very excited and interested, off to order the books now!
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[...] do we really need any of those things? Can’t we just eat some fruit, and use pure raw honey, Xylitol, Rice syrup and Stevia as sweeteners instead? That’s what I’ve been doing. That, and a [...]
Yum! How much cinnamon in the tart please?
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Hello, these recipes look great, but isn’t Xylitol one of the sugars we shouldn’t eat? Doesn’t it have the same affect as fructose? I am a bit confused.
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HI Sarah,
just checking that the nut and yoghourt tart really has 2 cups of xylitol in the recipe. I made id and it would be, delicious if wasn’t so incredibly sweet. would it work to halve the xylitol
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May 20th, 2013 at 2:41 pm
I agree, and makes cake expensive too!
Did you put in both yoghurt and orange? I was confused by recipe
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I have been trying to find dextrose and/or rice malt syrup in Hong Kong as I find the ‘cooling effect’ xylitol etc. have on baking products as bit disconcerting. I did find something called tagalose – what is it? and is it also a ‘good’ sugar?
I’m at the slow entry point on the fructose elimination journey – still sourcing and slowly phasing out the sugar in the house….I am also tweaking old recipes so if they turn out I’ll try to post them.
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Great work Sarah! We also have given up table sugar (sucrose) and all of its harmful effects. Xylitol all the way for my family! Only 6-10 grams of Xylitol each day is enough to reap the proven oral and general health benefits. It is so easy with the wide range of mints, gum and granular xylitol around. Just make sure the product is only sweetened with Xylitol, and definitely no sorbitol or saccharine etc in it.
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I’m confused by the nut yoghurt tart
Ingredients list has orange juice/zest but not mentioned in method??
I put it in along with yoghurt at that stage and ended up with a very runny batter….
It’s in oven now, wish me luck!
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