September 4, 2011

Golden Sugary Goodness

I would like to introduce you all to the new love of my life:

Friends, meet Palm Sugar: the newest addition to my kitchen! :)

It's tan and sandy, it's brown and beautiful, it's Palm Sugar!

Ok, I'm done now. :)

Why is it my new best friend? Why, I'm so glad you asked!

Palm sugar is completely natural, harvested from palm tree blossoms. And (wait for it), it's safe for diabetics to have.

Yes, you read that right. A sugar that's actually safe. I've been researching sugar alternatives for the last couple of years, and synthetic substitutes aside, this is the best I've found to date.

Here's why: palm sugar breaks down slowly in the body, taking more time and less insulin to digest. It doesn't send your blood sugar levels sky-rocketing; it doesn't spike them at all, actually. You can put it in drinks, you can bake with it, you can pretty much use it the same way you would use regular white sugar. But with fewer calories (15 cal. per tsp.) and no sugar spike (palm sugar has a Glycemic Index of 32, while white sugar has one of 90).

Now, if you're relatively new to The Inkwell, you're probably scratching your head and thinking, "Gee, I didn't know she was diabetic!" Well technically, I'm not.

Short summary: I had gestational diabetes when I was pregnant with Caleb (Long story there. Short version? It was no fun.) Ever since, I've been border-line diabetic, and struggled with sugary foods and most especially sugary drinks. I had to give up Jamba Juice, find sugar-free alternatives at Starbucks, and buy stock in Crystal Lite. Splenda lives in my cupboards full-time, always at the ready for coffee and tea.

Now, if you are nowhere near "new" to The Inkwell, you also know how much I love to bake. And what a soft spot I have for cookies, pastries, brownies, and ice cream. Sweet tooth? More like sweet teeth. Plural. Which doesn't work out well for a border-line diabetic.

Hence, the search for a sugar substitute. That's why I'm so excited about Palm Sugar. (And why I keep capitalizing it. ;) I found this particular brand on Amazon, and in addition to being a natural sugar, this brand is also organic. Another plus.

The big question I had when I ordered it, though? What did it taste like?

Well, guess what? It tastes like brown sugar. No joke. Maybe with a bit more molassess in the flavor. Or carmel. Yummmmmm.

And that's the real reason why I heart Palm Sugar. It's safe, it's natural, and it actually tastes good. The trifecta! And to prove it, I put it to the test in a batch of Amish Friendship Bread last weekend. Made the house smell like french toast while it was baking. Mmmmm. And the bread tasted great! Moist, fluffy, with a slightly richer flavor than usual. Win! Win! Win!

Ahem. I'll put my pom-poms down now.

My next adventure with Palm Sugar? I want to try some chocolate chip cookies. If Palm Sugar can handle those, I think it can handle anything. :)


7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I just came across your blog. I am now very interested in Palm Sugar. Did you get it at a store or did you order it. I look forward to reading your blog.

Nicole said...

Hi! Thanks for stopping by! I ordered it through Amazon.com It was about $7 for two pounds, plus shipping. The brand is Nativas, if that helps!

Nicole said...

*erm, that's Navitas. Sorry!

Lindsay said...

Oh, if that comes out that good in friendship bread, maybe I'll give it a whirl! Wonder if it's in any of the stores around here!

NaomiG said...

Oooh, cool. I have a deep and abiding hatred for any not-real-sugar sweeteners that goes way, way, way back to my childhood of people cramming food down my throat that was gross due to it being "sugar-free". That being said, I've recently started using agave nectar-lower glycemic index also, not sure of the exact number, and I LOVE it, so I'm excited to try Palm Sugar too. Thanks for the recommend! If it tastes like brown sugar, I am IN! :-)

Julia @ 551Eastdesign said...

I've never tried palm sugar before. It sounds great and I love how into it you were when you introduced it:) I just randomly found your blog. Thanks:)

buy rift account said...

Stumbled upon your blog..so interested with the palm sugar.=D