<![CDATA[Sweet & Healthy Natural Sweetener and Chocolates Made with SUGARLESSe™

<![CDATA[Sweet & Healthy Natural Sweetener and Chocolates Made with SUGARLESSe™ - Our Blog]]>Thu, 27 Nov 2025 05:26:58 -0800Weebly<![CDATA[5 Tips for Helping Teens Make Healthy Choices]]>Tue, 08 Mar 2022 02:24:49 GMThttps://www.sugarlesse.com/our-blog/5-tips-for-helping-teens-make-healthy-choicesGuest columnist: Gabriel Patel of Health Well Wise
Thank you, Gabriel, for your contribution!

Image via Pixabay

Some of the most frustrating and complicated years for parents are when their children become teens. However, these can also be some of the most rewarding years. For many parents, the key to surviving adolescence is actively helping their teens make healthy decisions, and a big part of this is understanding how teens think and reason. Here we present a helpful guide with tips on how to help your teens make the right choices.

Talk to Teens About the Benefits of Avoiding Certain Behaviors

Teens tend to weigh the benefits versus the risks of decisions to minimize the likelihood of negative consequences. When faced with a decision about trying alcohol, for instance, teens may consider how likely it is that they will experience the negative effects of taking a drink. They may believe that one drink or one drug experiment isn't dangerous enough to affect them. Rather than stressing the risks of consuming drugs and alcohol or engaging in other behaviors with your teens, Mayo Clinic suggests focusing on the benefits of not engaging.

Teach Teens To Avoid Unsafe Situations

Kids are surrounded by danger in their communities, in their schools, and sometimes in their homes. According to NPR, focusing on those dangers and risky behaviors raises your teens' awareness but often leads to increased anxiety or heightened interest. Teach adolescents how to be safe rather than focusing on the hazard itself:

Stay in groups of friends with the same goals.

Have a safety plan in place for situations that feel unsafe.
Recognize signs of danger, such as the absence of adults.
Get comfortable saying "no" assertively.
Practice getting attention and help from other people.
Tell someone when a situation doesn't feel right.

When teens avoid risky situations, they are less likely to engage in unsafe activities.

Reduce Exposure to Unhealthy Situations and Substances

When children are young, parents often restrict access to sugary foods and drinks and provide access to fruits and vegetables instead. Experts agree that the decision to avoid exposing children to unhealthy substances and unsafe behaviors can be an effective way to encourage healthier habits. Make similar adjustments to your home to set your teen up for success:

Keep computers in common areas of the home.

Limit the number of passengers teen drivers can have in their cars.
Lock up drugs and alcoholic substances in the home.
Set curfews for nightly activities.

Remember that modeling appropriate behaviors is one of the best ways to encourage safe behaviors. Teens are more motivated by parental actions and approval than parents think.

Model Positive Behavior

It is never too early to encourage goal-oriented behaviors. Talk to your children and teens about how they can move toward their dreams. If you want to pursue a master's degree in information technology, for example, and you enroll in an online degree program, your teens are more likely to believe their dreams are also within reach.

Also be a role model when it comes to making good food choices. If you work from home, invest in the time you have and the convenience of a nearby kitchen to prepare healthy meals and snacks.

Enroll Teens in Martial Arts

Physical activities and teen sports have many benefits, but martial arts, such as karate and tae kwondo, can be particularly effective at teaching desired skills,

Developing personal discipline over emotions and physicality
Experiencing a boost of self-confidence, independence, and personal control
Seeking guidance from mentors
Acting as role models to other youth
Using physical activities to feel positive and enjoy endorphins

Martial arts instructors often incorporate lessons about personal safety and healthy habits in their training, so the work you've done at home is backed up by another valued mentor.

Most importantly...

As a parent, spend time with your teens, learning to recognize their thinking patterns and aspirations. Have conversations about the benefits of healthy decisions and activities. Model the behaviors you want to see and encourage healthy choices.

]]><![CDATA[Sweet Life: Sugarlesse™ is in the news!]]>Wed, 27 May 2020 23:38:45 GMThttps://www.sugarlesse.com/our-blog/in-the-sweet-life-sugarlessetm-is-in-the-news
Specifically, in an article by the same title, published in the May, 2020 edition of Prepared Foods magazine!

Here is what Alexa Bosshardt. MPS, RDN, its author writes - and quotes - about us:

"When we (that is HIP Gastroplex) set out to create a sugar replacer, we knew we had to do more than just compete for sweetness," says Steven Kingsley, co-CEO of HIP Gastroplex, parent company of Einstein Brands sugar free marshmallows and chocolates. Chocolates and marshmallows are two of the most difficult items to craft successfully without sugar, as it provides not only a large part of the familiar flavor of these items, but other organoleptic characteristics consumers expect.

To achieve this, Kingsley developed a sweetener he named "Sugarlesse™." The blend is composed of four different components, all of them naturally occurring - thus GRAS - and produced by either fermentation or extraction from plant sources. Included is a debittered form of stevia extract to tweak the final sweetness level to equal that of sucrose.

"We comprised the blend with an eye on multiple ingredients that would each bring a specific benefit to a sweetener system and work in concert to create a whole that would be better than just one or two ingredients, as is more common when replacing sugar," explains Kingsley. "We needed to include a sweetener that would allow us to develop mass and texture - especially critical for the marshmallows - then built on one of the ingredients used for primary flavor notes. Then, we brought in an ingredient for flavor augmentation and one for color development.

This way, we could more precisely balance browning and caramelization, tenderizing, viscosity control, moisture control, preservation, and shelf life extension. All these parameters were crucial, in addition to sweetening."

Kingsley notes that his challenge in crafting the perfect combination of all of these functional properties was compounded by wanting to utilize only commercially available ingredients. "We needed to create a product that was attractive to home, professional, and industrial users. It needed to provide the same functionality as sucrose and in the same amounts; it needed to sweeten, cook, and bake like sugar; no aftertaste was a must; and it also needed to be healthy."

As far as health benefits go, Sugarlesse™ delivers 25% less calories than sucrose; it does not cause g.i. issues as do some sugar alcohols; and it is perfectly suitable for consumers with diabetes, boasting a Glycemic Index of only 42. Sugarlesse™ is also vegan and certified kosher. In addition to the marshmallows and chocolates, the Einstein Brands team is currently working on developing other products, using its advanced in-house sweetener system."

We are truly indebted to Alexa, and the executive editor of Prepared Foods, David Feder, for including us, in such a detail, in their article, which you can read here.

That's sweet life, indeed!

]]><![CDATA[Following a Good Diet All Year: Healthy Living During Every Season]]>Thu, 13 Jun 2019 16:01:28 GMThttps://www.sugarlesse.com/our-blog/following-a-good-diet-all-year-healthy-living-during-every-seasonBy: Guest writer Gabriel Patel, from Health Well Wise.

Fast food, burger joints, ice cream shops -- the temptation to skip a healthy meal in favor of a fun family outing is everywhere. However, it is best for you and your family if you begin to take the time to eat more healthfully each day. Whether you, your spouse, and your children are on the go or comfortable at home, you can find the time to eat a healthy meal. Here’s how to get started.

Healthy Eating Supports a Healthy Mind

If your family requires some reasons to pursue a healthier lifestyle, try bringing up the positive mental effects of healthy eating. Just like how our bodies are affected by the way we deal with stress, the way we eat and drink drastically affects our mental health. A group of researchers found that people who eat more vegetables, fruit, and nuts were 30 percent less likely to suffer from depression and anxiety, while less than half of people who suffer from mental health problems regularly ate a healthy meal. Whole grains and leafy greens help regulate moods, with the added bonus of keeping you full longer.

Take a Healthy Meal to Go

Whether you’re headed to work, school, or even a weekend hike, you’ll need sustenance throughout the day. While it may be tempting to eat out, it can prove to be a strain on your health, as well as your wallet. Instead, take an extra five minutes in the morning to pack a healthy lunch. Leftovers from a previous night’s dinner will work, as will the traditional sandwich -- use whole grain bread and preserves made with real fruit, or fresh vegetables. Include some handheld veggies, like carrot sticks, broccoli, or celery, or fruit for a snack.

Finally, skip the soft drink and hydrate yourself with some water. Hydrating throughout the day is another key component of a healthy lifestyle. Drinking water with your meals helps your body absorb the nutrients in your food and improve the digestive process. Taking breaks to drink also helps slow down your eating process, which prevents overeating. Staying hydrated also reduces aches, pains, and headaches and improves your sleep, leading to an improved mood throughout the day.

Fast Cooking and Appealing Dishes

One of the most common problems people experience when they plan to live a more healthy culinary lifestyle is that cooking takes a significant amount of time -- time that could be spent with familial or professional duties. However, all you need to do is to teach yourself several basic techniques that are quick, easy, and can be used in a pinch.

Sauteing vegetables usually takes four to eight minutes (more time is requiredfor firmer vegetables, such as carrots) and only requires a single pan and a burner. Season lightly with salt at the beginning and end of your cooking session to bring out the natural flavors of the vegetables.

If your family members say they don’t like vegetables, typically this is because the vegetables they have tasted are over- cooked or underseasoned. Cooked veggies shouldn’t be limp and pallid at the end of the cooking process; in general, they should still retain some snap and their colors should be bright. As they cook, add a dash of your preferred seasoning. Finally, instead of drowning your food in sauce, make a light vinaigrette to support, rather than overpower, the flavor of the dish. Properly cooked vegetable dishes will help encourage kids and adults alike to eat them thanks to their great flavor and bright colors.

Diet Tips for Seniors

Your golden years are a time to really focus on your overall health. With age comes slower metabolism, weaker senses, and the risk of developing chronic health conditions. It’s crucial to maintain a healthy diet (in addition to regular exercise) to overcome these challenges and stay in the best shape possible. In order to get the necessary nutrients, your meals should include protein and essential fats from free-range animals, eggs from cage-free chicken, no sugar and carbs from processed foods and desserts, except fruits and vegetables. When seasoning your dishes, use fresh herbs and pure spices. For portion size, go by the recommended serving size, if it is satisfactory; otherwise seek the advice of a naturopathic doctor.

Your doctor visits should also include a wellness check, which is covered annually by Medicare. This exam assesses your current diet and lifestyle, and your doctor will recommend a wellness plan tailored to your overall well-being. Make sure you schedule and follow through on these visits annually so that you stick to your personalized preventive care practices.

All it takes are a few small changes to start eating healthy all year long. Wake up five minutes earlier each day to pack a lunch, and get your family in the kitchen at dinnertime to bond while crafting a delicious meal. Finally, if you’re a senior, stick to a healthy diet tailored to your needs, which can help prevent the development and progression of chronic health conditions.

Photo Credit: Pixabay.com

]]><![CDATA[Miracle Mallows: Our new CannaMallows™ and CreamMallows™]]>Mon, 13 May 2019 03:30:49 GMThttps://www.sugarlesse.com/our-blog/miracle-mallows-our-new-cannamallowstm-and-creammallowstm

Would you believe that ancient Egyptians were the first to enjoy a gooey treat now called marshmallow as early as 2000 BC? The treat was considered very special and it was reserved for gods and the pharaohs. It was made from the mallow plant (Athaea officinalis) that grows wild in marshes. The term marshmallow was derived both from the native home of the plant and the plant name.

The mallow is native to Asia and Europe and has been naturalized in America. The Egyptians squeezed sap from the mallow plant and mixed it with nuts and honey. However, no one knows what the candy looked like in those times.

The French introduced to marshmallow in the early 1800s. (They certainly needed a sweet and homey treat after 15 years of Napoleonic wars....) Owners of small candy stores whipped sap from the mallow root into a fluffy candy mold by hand. The stores had a hard time keeping up with demand. So they created molds from modified cornstarch and replaced the mallow root with gelatin. This is the product we still enjoy today.

Marshmallows were introduced in the US during the early 1900s and became really popular in1948, when Alex Doumak invented a new extrusion process. As a result, they became very easy and inexpensive to produce, turning them into one of our favorite snacks.

Today, Americans are the main consumers of marshmallow - we buy more than 90 million pounds annually :)

But times are a-changing...

A recent survey from the International Food Information Council says that 70% of Americans are attempting to cut back on sugar intake. And how obvious did this become when we were confronted with it ourselves! Very. Listen to that:

"Once upon a time in December 2011, I was helping out at Caffex’s demo stand in a Whole Foods Market. Caffex is our sister company. They make the first truly delicious high energy snacks in the form of gourmet marshmallows! Imagine double coffee, espresso, chocolate, mocha, and tea in a mallow to take wherever you go and keep you alert for hours when you need it most. No spilling. No scalding. All marshmallow goodness. That’s CaffeMallows™ from Caffex.

Sampling was proceeding apace and along with the compliments came the question: “Are these made with sugar?” from quite a few people. After a while June, Caffex’s marketing maven, turned to me and said: “Can you make marshmallows without sugar?”

Yes. There are marshmallows already, made with isomalt, specifically for diabetics. Isomalt is a type of sugar alcohol composed of two simple sugars: glucose and mannitol. A great tasting sugar-free sweetener , but it has one very significant drawback. Like most sugar alcohols, it can cause gastric distress, including flatulence and diarrhea, which most certainly limits its appeal.

With isomalt being unacceptable,, our team labored feverishly for over two years, to develop much, much, much better products: CannaMallows™ and CreamMallows™, made with what else - our Sugarlesse™.

Not only do CannaMallows™ give you 25mg CBD in a mallow - they do it with no bitterness. Another first in the world of cannabis - actually hemp CBD - edibles!

We'll have an amazing line of up to five flavors for our marketing tests and launch in early fall. FREE SAMPLING will be a highlight of these events in the San Francisco Bay Area, so check back with us here for our schedule :)

In the meantime, we already have our websites up and running for both - so check them out now!

CreamMallows: https://creammallows.com

Cannamallows: https://cannamallows.com

]]><![CDATA[Fasting Eliminates Diabetes, by Regenerating Your Pancreas]]>Thu, 05 Jul 2018 19:05:54 GMThttps://www.sugarlesse.com/our-blog/fasting-eliminates-diabetes-by-regenerating-your-pancreas
A powerful example of the regenerative power of fasting was demonstrated in a recent study, that showed a fasting-mimicking diet — characterized by periods of feast and famine — can reverse diabetes and actually regenerate your pancreas. The experiment, conducted on mice, was led by Valter Longo, Ph.D., professor of gerontology and biological sciences and director of the USC Longevity Institute.

What they discovered was that by starving and refeeding the animals in cycles, insulinproducing beta cells were generated, resembling that observed during pancreatic development. Beta cells detect sugar in your blood and release insulin if blood sugar levels get too high. As a side effect of restoring pancreatic function, diabetic symptoms were also reversed. Insulin secretion and glucose homeostasis were restored in both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes models. According to Longo:

"Our conclusion is by pushing the mice into an extreme state and then bringing them back — by starving them and then feeding them again —the cells in the pancreas are triggered to use some kind of developmental reprogramming that rebuilds the part of the organ that's no longer functioning ...

Medically, these findings have the potential to be very important because we've shown — at least in mouse models — that you can use diet to reverse the symptoms of diabetes. Scientifically, the findings are perhaps even more important because we've shown you can use diet to reprogram cells without having to make any genetic alterations."

The fasting-mimicking diet developed by Longo involves restricting your calories to 75 percent less than your normal calories per day for five days each month. This approach greatly improves compliance, as many find a fiveday, wateronly fast to be too difficult. During these five days of calorie restriction, it's important to select foods low in carbohydrates, low in protein and high in healthy fats.

The rest of the month, you are free to eat whatever you want. The goal is to mimic periods of feast and famine. However, while it may sound simple enough, Longo is quick to suggest this particular diet is best undertaken with medical guidance, as it's far more sophisticated than most people realize. You can learn more about the fasting-mimicking diet here.]]><![CDATA[We are evaluating Allulose]]>Mon, 18 Jun 2018 16:51:26 GMThttps://www.sugarlesse.com/our-blog/we-are-evaluating-allulose
Allulose is a new natural sweetener, gaining interest. We have been evaluating it ourselves, in a number of formulas and products. This article takes a detailed look at whether including it in your diet is a good idea.

What Is Allulose?

Also known as D-psicose, it is classified as a "rare sugar" because it is naturally present in only a few foods. Wheat, figs and raisins all contain it.

Like glucose and fructose, allulose is a monosaccharide, or single sugar. In contrast, table sugar, also known as sucrose, is a disaccharide made of glucose and fructose joined together.

In fact, allulose has the same chemical formula as fructose, but it id structurally different. This difference prevents the body from processing allulose the way it processes fructose.

Although 70–84% of the allulose consumed is absorbed into the blood from your digestive tract, it is eliminated without being used as fuel.

It's been shown to resist fermentation by your gut bacteria, minimizing the likelihood of bloating, gas or other digestive problems

And here’s some good news for people who have diabetes or are watching their blood sugar — it does not raise blood sugar or insulin levels.

Allulose also provides only 0.3 calories per gram, or about 1/10 the calories of table sugar.

In addition, early research suggests that allulose has anti-inflammatory properties, and may help prevent obesity and reduce the risk of chronic disease.

Although small amounts of this rare sugar are found in some foods, in recent years, manufacturers generally use enzymes to convert fructose from corn and other plants into allulose.

May control blood sugar and diabetes

Allulose may turn out to be new way to fight diabetes. A number of animal studies have found that it lowers blood sugar, increases insulin sensitivity and decreases the risk of type 2 diabetes by protecting the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas.

In a study comparing obese rats treated with allulose to rats given water or glucose, the allulose group had improved beta cell function, better blood sugar response and less belly fat gain than the other groups.

Early research also suggests that allulose may have beneficial effects on blood sugar regulation in humans.

A controlled study gave 20 healthy, young adults either 5–7.5 grams of allulose with 75 grams of the sugar maltodextrin, or just maltodextrin on its own.

The group that took allulose experienced significantly lower blood sugar and insulin levels compared to the group that took maltodextrin alone.

In another study, 26 adults consumed a meal alone or with 5 grams of allulose. Some people were healthy while others had prediabetes.

After the meal, their blood sugar was measured every 30 minutes for two hours. The researchers found that participants who took allulose had significantly lower blood sugar levels at 30 and 60 minutes.

Although these studies are small and more research in people with diabetes and prediabetes is needed, the evidence to date is encouraging.

It may enhance fat loss

Research in obese rats suggests that allulose may also help boost fat loss. This includes unhealthy belly fat, also known as visceral fat, which is strongly linked to heart disease and other health problems.

In one study, obese rats were fed a normal or high-fat diet that contained supplements of either allulose, sucrose or erythritol for eight weeks.

In another study, rats were fed a high-sugar diet with either 5% cellulose fiber or 5% allulose. The allulose group burned significantly more calories and fat overnight, and gained far less fat than the cellulose-fed rats.

Because allulose is such a new sweetener, its effects on weight and fat loss in humans aren’t known because they haven't been studied yet.

Based on studies to date, showing lower blood sugar and insulin levels in people who took allulose, it looks like it could help with weight loss as well.

It may even protect against fatty liver

The same studies also found that, in addition to preventing weight gain, allulose seems to reduce fat storage in the liver.

Hepatic steatosis, more commonly known as fatty liver, is strongly linked to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

In one study, diabetic mice were given either allulose, glucose, fructose or no sugar.

The liver fat in the allulose mice decreased by 38% compared to mice given no sugar. The allulose mice also experienced less weight gain and lower blood sugar levels than the other groups.

At the same time as allulose may promote fat loss in the liver and body, it may also protect against muscle loss.

In a 15-week study of severely obese mice, allulose significantly decreased liver and belly fat, yet prevented the loss of lean mass.

The most important question: Is it safe?

It is a generally recognized as safe (GRAS) natural sweetener by the US Food and Drug Administration. However, it is not yet allowed to be sold in Europe.

Studies lasting three and 18 months have shown no toxicity or other health-related problems related to the sweetener.

In one study, rats were fed about 1/2 gram of allulose per pound (0.45 kg) of body weight for 18 months. By the end of the study, adverse effects were minimal and similar in both the allulose and control groups.

It's worth mentioning that this was an extremely large dose. For reference, the equivalent amount for an adult weighing 150 pounds (68 kg) would be about 83 grams per day — more than 1/3 cup.

In human studies, more realistic doses of 5–15 grams (1–3 teaspoons) per day for up to 12 weeks weren't associated with any negative side effects.

Accordingly, allulose is unlikely to cause health problems when consumed in moderation. However, as with any food, individual sensitivities are always a possibility.

]]><![CDATA[42 Reasons Why Wheatgrass and Wheatgrass Juice Is Perfect for Your Health]]>Mon, 10 Apr 2017 16:29:03 GMThttps://www.sugarlesse.com/our-blog/42-reasons-why-wheatgrass-and-wheatgrass-juice-is-perfect-for-your-health
This excellent, up-to-date article about the benefits of wheat- grass, was brought to our attention by Sujana Marie, the chief editor of CookingDetective.com.

Specifically, it covers the following items:

in a very comprehensive, yet easy to read format.

We find the nutritional data charts are especially valuable and encourage you to read the full article here.

Manual wheatgrass juicing - image courtesy of WikiMedia, under the GNU Free Documentation License.

Thank you, Sujana, for bringing our community up to speed on wheatgrass!

]]><![CDATA[15 Reasons to Quit Sugar Now]]>Sun, 05 Feb 2017 00:18:50 GMThttps://www.sugarlesse.com/our-blog/15-reasons-to-quit-sugar-nowThis is an excerpt from Jesse Miller’s Jen Review blog post, in which he lists the 15 amazing things that happen when you quit sugar:

1. Your heart health will improve.

2. You reduce your chances of developing diabetes significantly.

3. Your mood will improve.

4. Your sleep quality will start to improve.

5. You will remember things better.

6. You finally achieve some of your weight loss goals.

7. You look more youthful.

8. Your immune system becomes stronger.

9. You feel more energetic throughout the day.

10. Your willpower improves.

11. Joint pain and inflammation decrease.

12. Your oral health improves.

13. You increase the levels of good cholesterol in your body.

14. Your liver becomes leaner.

15. You lower your risk of some types of cancer.

Thank you, Jesse! Strongly suggest you read the whole article here.]]><![CDATA[Curse of Unintended Consequences... $15/hr Movement Spawns Store with NO Employees]]>Sat, 16 Jul 2016 21:56:15 GMThttps://www.sugarlesse.com/our-blog/curse-of-unintended-consequences-15hr-movement-spawns-store-with-no-employees
To all of those who think they'll be better off by demanding $15/hr wage for starting/low level jobs, the following article and video from Opposing Views should be a wake-up call...

... however, if this doesn't do the trick, there is always CaffeinAll™!

]]><![CDATA[The Truth About Sugar Addiction]]>Sat, 23 Apr 2016 18:26:49 GMThttps://www.sugarlesse.com/our-blog/the-truth-about-sugar-addictionThis is the third of three articles we were asked by Alicia Owen at ImproveEdu last week to add to our site. She wrote:

“I’m a tutor with ImprovEDU. I have been working with a group of students on a project where they are learning about healthy eating and the sugar content in various foods; we found your site carried a variety of useful information including the Mother Jones page which is excellent.

Whilst carrying out group research we came across a number of articles that may also be of interest to you:

Article 3: Slideshow: The Truth About Sugar Addiction

Found on: WebMD.com
Posted by: WebMD.com staff
Reviewed by: Maryann Tomovich Jacobsen, MS, RD

Here is a tantalizing question on the very first slide to get your attention:

“Sugar Detox: Hype or Hope?

A trendy sugar detox diet promises to end your craving for sweets and help you lose weight. But does it work? Here's the truth about sugar cravings and how to tame your sweet tooth.”

Link: http://www.webmd.com/diet/ss/slideshow-sugar-addiction

Are you hooked? Continue on to slide 19, my favorite one, with very “healthy” size butts. If they don’t turn you off sugar nothing will… so we hope.]]>