Allulose

Low Calorie Sugar

Hidden Calories – Spotting Them So You Can Avoid Them

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April 8, 2019 — After filling their dinner plates with too much food, people are often quick to confess that their eyes were bigger than their stomach.  However, problems lie not only in our perception of portion sizes, but also in what our eyes don’t always see – hidden calories in foods and beverages. These are seemingly negligible bites and sips consumed throughout the day that can add up to hundreds of excess calories. Over time, hidden calories can add up to several pounds and have a serious impact on health. Here are some of the most common sources of hidden calories, many of which can be avoided or replaced with lower-calorie alternatives.

  • Gourmet Coffee Drinks – While that daily caramel latte is slowly emptying your wallet, it may also be slowly adding on to your waistline. Unless you request otherwise, coffee shop beverages are typically made with whole milk. In addition, people often forget to take into consideration the addition of flavored syrups – just one pump of flavored syrup packs approximately 20 calories and five grams of sugar! If you can’t fathom facing your work day without your daily coffee indulgence, opt for a smaller serving size, low- or no-fat milk, and ask for sugar-free syrups. You might even consider taking sweetening into your own hands by grabbing some packets of low-calorie sweeteners as you run out the door!
  • Snacks to “Hold You Over” – It’s 4 o’clock. You had a salad for lunch and your stomach feels empty, yet you still need to power through several more hours of work. We’ve all been there. The problem is, while those snacks you reach for to “hold you over” until dinner seem harmless, they can pack in as many calories as a small meal. Many protein bars contain more than 250 calories, and 4 ounces (i.e., handful) of trail mix adds about 260 calories. Thankfully, there are many convenient snacks that pack in the protein and fiber necessary to keep you going until your next meal, but don’t contain too many calories. Look for ingredients like allulose, which is considered a “rare sugar” because it provides the sweet taste and texture that sugar does, but without all of the calories and carbohydrates. For this reason, allulose is used in low-carb performance bars. Throw one in your bag “just in case” and you’ll be thankful you did.
  • Smoothies – While some smoothies contain mostly fruit and water or juice, most include additional syrups or sweeteners. If you’re out, consider whether the large amount of liquid calories will actually keep you full and opt for a sugar-free drink or water to control your calorie intake. Better yet, if it’s specifically a smoothie you’re craving, try making one at home. Many of us own blenders, and it’s easy to purchase calorie-free sweeteners and syrups online and in some stores.
  • Sauces – When counting calories, people usually look at the core components of what is on their plates. They don’t usually take into consideration the hefty squeeze from the ketchup bottle on the table, or the extra side of barbecue sauce that takes grilled meats from good to great. It’s important to realize that these condiments contribute calories as well. At the same time, recognize that the key to maintaining a balanced diet isn’t just about controlling calories, it’s also about enjoying the foods you eat and how they make you feel. If you want to lay on your favorite sauce, go for it. Just look for ways to save calories elsewhere, such as low- or no-calorie beverages, smaller portion sizes or skipping dessert.

Ingredion Launches Allulose for the Americas – Food Navigator

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Ingredient giant Ingredion has partnered with Matsutani Chemical Industry Co. to bring the rare sugar allulose to the Americas and aid sugar reduction efforts for food and beverage manufacturers. The rare sugar, which will maintain Matsutani’s Astraea brand, will be manufactured by Ingredion in Mexico and will be marketed across the Americas in 2019. Allulose, also known as psicose, is a monosaccharide and contains virtually no calories. It has the bulk, texture and taste of regular sugar, and 70% of the sweetness.

Continue reading at Food Navigator

German startup planning to scale up production of allulose — Candy Industry Magazine

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German startup Savanna Ingredients GmbH has begun producing initial quantities of allulose with the goal of producing the natural, virtually calorie-free sugar on a larger scale.
The sugar’s calorie content is 0.2 kcal, which would fall under the European Union’s “without calories” classification. Savanna plans to apply for approval to classify the product as a foodstuff in Europe.
Allulose’s taste and functional characteristics make it suitable for different applications, including soft drinks and bakery items, among others. Production capabilities are being expanded at Savanna’s Elsdorf site to accommodate future demand.

“Enormous potential for the nutrition of millions”: Savanna Ingredients develops natural sugar without calories — Food Navigator

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Germany’s Savanna Ingredients has developed a process to produce allulose – “real sugar without calories” – on a mass scale. Savanna Ingredients is a German start-up that came out of the Innovation Centre of the sugar producer Pfeifer & Langen. For years, the group has been working on a project to develop large-scale production of a zero calorie, natural sugar, allulose.

Read article at Food Navigator