SweetPerfection

SweetPerfection is a high fiber sweetener (oligofructose) made by Low Carb Specialties. It is made from chicory and mung beans. In 1 cup there are 127 g carbohydrate with 122 g fiber.

When I first started using this product I wrote to the company as I'd heard that other forms of oligofructose was highly processed. At the time I wrote to the company and the response was that the product was made from dried and grated chicory and mung beans (less than 1%). Unfortunately, I can't locate the email they sent me, but have located another email from the Drs Eades related to the use of oligofructose as a sweetener. Here is their response:

"We can't say we've done a ton of research on it [oligofructose], because we haven't. However, the proof of the sweetener is in the results; if you feel good, don't suffer untoward GI side effects, continue to make progress toward weight or health goals while using a product, who could argue with using it?"

Also included in the response was a link to an article explaining inulin and oligofructose from The Journal of Nutrition.

SweetPerfection is not inexpensive! From the Low Carb Specialties website it is $41.95 for a 2 pound jar with free shipping. On Netrition.com it is priced at $18.95 for a 1 pound bag and shipping depends on total order.

SweetPerfection has the consistency and taste of powdered sugar and has no apparent after-taste. I've had several friends taste it and none could tell it was an "artificial sweetener"! I even made a cheesecake once for my daughter and she still raves about how good it was....and was shocked to find that there was no "sugar" in it!

Dr Mike

Some of my favorite posts by Dr Mike:

Antioxidants:
Are antioxidants harmful? Excellent post on antioxidants and how cells work. A little long, but well worth the read!


Cholesterol:
Cholesterol and cognitive decline Another reason why elders shouldn't take statins.

Jane Brody and her elevated cholesterol Post in response to Ms Brody's cholesterol dilemma.


Inflammation:
Inflammation and diet Excellent post about how our diet influences our levels of inflammation.

Krill oil and inflammation Dr Mike talks about a study treating inflammation with krill oil.


Obesity:
Fat and fatter Discussion about recent obesity statistics.

To lose weight you need to eat less and exercise more Is cutting calories and increasing exercise the best way to loose weight?

Thermodynamics and weight loss Dr Mike explains why a calorie is not a calorie.

Banting’s Letter on Corpulence Commenting on the publication from the late 1800s. Includes a link to the original letter.


Other:
Colon cancer and red meat Post debunking a recent cancer/red meat study.

Gary Taubes

New York Times: If you don't have an account you'll have to register, but it's free.


What if It's All Been a Big Fat Lie? Gary’s original article, Published: July 7, 2002. Read it with an open mind

Carbophobia. By Gina Kolata, Published: October 7, 2007. Not fan of Taubes, nor does she agree with his conclusions, but still some good comments about Good Calories Bad Calories.

Do We Really Know What Makes Us Healthy? Article by Taubes talking about “The Flip-Flop Rhythm of Science”

Diet and Fat: A Severe Case of Mistaken Consensus. Article about how a hypothesis based on dubious assumptions and data can become the scientific consensus because of a social phenomena called a “cascade”.

Low Carb Plans and Books

Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution, Atkins Diabetes Revolution, Dr Robert Atkins.

Protein Power Life Plan, The 30 Day Low Carb Solution, The Low-Carb Comfort Food Cookbook, The Low Carb CookwoRx Cookbook, Staying Power Books by Michael and Mary Dan Eades.

Dr Bernstein's Diabetes Solution. Dr Richard Bernstein.

Sugar Shock. Connie Bennett.

The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth. Jonny Bowden.

Real Food. Nina Planck.

Low Carb Links.

These are some of the links I've collected over the years. I'll add to them as needed.

Low Carb Forums and websites:
Active Low-Carber Forums. One of the best forums online! There is a recipe forum and has many recipes from Karen Barnaby. The support on this site is incredible. Many well informed members.

Blogs:
Dr Michael Eades: Excellent blogs about low carb and the latest news.
Dr Mary Dan Eades: Blogs about low carb and medical issues.
Regina Wilshire: Excellent blogs about research and news.

Low Carber's Blogs:
Stumbling to Bethlehem: Newbirth's blog. One woman who has already lost 60# on Atkins.
Jimmy Moore's Livin La Vida Low Carb: Jimmy has lost over 180 pounds on Low carb. Jimmy blogs about almost anything low carb related.

Excellent information sites:
Weston A Price: Dr Price was a dentist who observed a direct relationship between introducing "trade foods" produced by industrial society (processed foods grown with synthetic farming methods). Within 1 generation he found distinct changes in teeth and jaws. The foundation created in his name is decidated to promoting whole natural foods. They promote natural farming and are pro raw milk. There is a wealth of information on this site! Check it out.