The Ultimate Guide To Sugars & Sweeteners

Book excerpt: “The very first compendium of the sweet substances we typically eat and what happens once they’re in our body.” —New York Journal of Books Today, supermarkets and natural food stores feature a bewildering variety of sugars and alternative sweeteners. The deluge of conflicting information doesn’t help. If choosing a sweetener leaves you scratching your head, this handy guide will answer all of your questions—even the ones you didn’t know to ask:Which sweeteners perform well in baking?Will the kids notice if I sub in stevia?What’s the best pick if I’m watching my waistline, blood sugar, or environmental impact?Are any of them really superfoods . . . or toxic? Perfect for foodies, bakers, carb counters, parents, chefs, and clinicians, this delightfully readable book features more than 180 alphabetical entries on natural and artificial sweeteners, including the usual suspects (table sugar, honey), the controversial (aspartame, high-fructose corn syrup), the hyped (coconut sugar, monk fruit sweetener), and the unfamiliar (Chinese rock sugar, isomaltulose). You’ll also find myth-busting Q&As, intriguing trivia, side-by-side comparisons of how sweeteners perform in classic baked goods, and info on food-additive regulations, dental health, the glycemic index, and more. Your sweet tooth is in for a real education! “An honest, comprehensive book based on facts, for those who want to see the meeting of history, science, and common sense. It covers every sweetener you have heard of, plus many you may never encounter. One of the few books that put sugar and sweetness in context so you can make a wise judgment.” —Glenn Cardwell, author of Gold Medal Nutrition