Showing posts with label new sweeteners. Show all posts
Showing posts with label new sweeteners. Show all posts

Monday, January 26, 2009

PureVia among prizes you can win next week!



This years Great Start Giveaway has some really fantastic prizes. Today I want to tell you about PureVia from Whole Earth Sweetener Company, which has generously donated 24 boxes to this giveaway! That's right! We will be giving 24 lucky winners a box of PureVia to try for themselves!

Below is a recent review I did of PureVia from my Examiner column.

PureVia Enters the Sweetener Race
Reprint from Examiner.com




Stevia is the hot ticket item in the sweetener world these days. With lots of research to back up its safety, it’s become the go-to substance for sweetening a variety of foods and beverages. Several companies are noticing this trend and trying to give their customers a more natural alternative to sugar. In recent months Cargill has released its stevia based sweetener Truvia. Another new product, NUVA from DWS Inc., has emerged as a real contender in the race to be the perfect sweetener. Now we can officially add PureVia to the list of better sweetener alternatives.

The long awaited PureVia, by Whole Earth Sweetener Company, has arrived. It has the same texture as real sugar and, like the others, a great taste. As of this writing their website does not yet tell us where PureVia can be bought or its approximate price. The sample box I received from the company contains 40 single serving sticks which are said to sweeten up to the equivalent of two teaspoons of sugar. As with most sweeteners, if you use it in a cold beverage, you should mix it thoroughly before you drink. I made the mistake of not mixing it too well and almost choked on a throat full of PureVia lurking at the bottom of my tea glass. (Can you envision my death certificate? “She died from inhaling an artificial sweetener!”) Mix well. Enough said.

My glass of tea and a layer of sweetener at the bottom...



* Calories: 0
* Fat: 0
* Sodium: 0
* Total Carbs: 2 g
* Sugars: <1g
* Erythritol: 1 g
* Protein: 0g


Ingredients: Erythritol, Isomaltulose, Reb A (Stevia extract), Contains 1% or less of Cellulose Powder and each Natural Flavor.

Keep in mind that sweeteners are a personal choice, so there isn’t a one-size-makes-everyone-happy.


After writing this article I received a nice note from the folks at PureVia informing me that the approximate MSRP is $3.99 per box and should be available nationwide by March 2009.

Someone left a comment on my column wondering about the calorie/carb count issue. If there is 2 carbs there should be 8 calories, right? Not exactly. Here's why. Sugar alcohols, even the minor ones like erythritol, do not have the same caloric values that most carbs do. They are actually 0.2 calories per gram. We have 1 carb of erythritol and less than one gram of isomaltulose, which is similar to sucrose. This does have a normal caloric value of 4 cals per gram, but again there is less than one gram per serving. My assumption is that combination of isomaltulose and erythritol equal less than a calorie per serving. Anyone who is familiar with labeling practices knows that if it's less than 1, on any nutrient, they can legally say it's 0. So hopefully that clears up some confusion on the matter.

Now lets talk about winning, because I know that's mostly what you are interested in. Like I mentioned before, we have 24 boxes to giveaway. But you can't win if you don't enter! So be sure to get entered asap - time is running out. This is the final week of the giveaway and you don't want to miss out on any of the great prizes we have available!

Tuesday, January 06, 2009

Announcing the 2nd Annual Healthy Low-Carb Living Great Start Giveaway!


2009 is here and it's time to start reminding ourselves about the need to better our health. Whether your resolved to lose weight, shape up, control your blood glucose or just over all improve your health, this giveaway is for you! To help you get a great start on theses goals for 2009, we are going to have a little fun while giving you a chance to win some great prizes this month!

Last year we had so much fun with our guessing game that I decided we should do it again this year. But before we get to that part, let me give you a sampling of the prizes that have been so graciously donated for this giveaway.

  • Copies of the book Sugarettes by Scott Olsen ND

  • Atkins product prize packages

  • An autographed copy of Carb Wars from Judy Barnes Baker

  • Copes of the book Cereal Killer by Alan L. Watson

  • Several boxes of PureVia stevia based sweetener

  • Splendid Low-Carbing cookbook by Jennifer Eloff

  • Assorted boxes of ChocoPerfection

  • Cookbooks from Dana Carpender

  • A weight-loss package from Eat Smart that includes their nutritional and bathroom scale

    And there are more prizes still coming in, so be sure to check back often! During each week of this giveaway, I will highlight each prize in detail so you can learn more about each one. This giveaway will run from today, Jan. 6, 2009 through Feb. 1, 2009. All entries must be received by midnight(central time) on Feb. 1 2009. The winners will be announced on this blog on Feb. 2nd, 2009.

    So, you are probably ready for me to tell you how to enter, right? It's easy! Now here's how to get your hands on one of these great prizes. Below I've posted some close-up shots of different household items. Take a good look at them and see if you can figure out what they are. I tried not to make them too hard. :) (It's just for fun and has no bearing on your contest entry.) Then send me your guesses, along with your name and address to healthylowcarbliving@gmail.com. Please put Great Start Giveaway in the subject line so your entry doesn't go to my spam box! Everyone that submits their guesstimates by Feb. 1st will be entered into the drawing, which we will have on Feb. 2nd. You'll also get the answers to what each of the items in the photos are.

    Remember, you don't have to get all the answers right to have your name in the drawing for the prizes. All you have to do is send me your name, address and best guesses to be entered. And all your information is kept completely confidental and will be deleted immediately after the drawing. Only winners information will be kept until prizes are recieved.

    So now that you know what to do... let's get started!

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    There you have it! Remember, send your best guesses to healthylowcarbliving@gmail.com along with your name and address by Feb. 1st. Have fun, good luck and be sure to tell others to join in on the fun as well!

  • Thursday, August 07, 2008

    Don't forget.....

    Today is the last day to get in your entry for the Truvia Giveaway! Don't miss the deadline! :)

    I also want to remind you that tomorrow is the last day we'll be doing the survey for the new sweetener. If you haven't taken it yet, please do! It only takes a minute and will be a huge help!