Giveaway Post & Motivation for Monday
As you all know, I try to totally avoid the processed foods, but I still occasionally have a sweet tooth. I have tended to lean towards Splenda when I desired the sweet treats, but I think I have found a product I like quite a bit better – Truvia.
Here’s the scoop on Truvia, as I can find it:
- It is a mix of rubiana, erythritol, and other natural flavors.
- Rubiana is derived from the Stevia plant.
- Erythritol is a naturally fermented sugar alcohol that is found in grapes and pears.
- While I cannot find any strong claims that Truvia has a skeleton in the closet, the majority of those in the know see to be cautiously optimistic.
- Like other products containing sugar alcohols, Truvia can make your stomach upset if you get too much of it.
To me, this looks like a good option for the occasional sweetener. It seems to be a product that is more natural than the competition. I think it tastes good, and it has no detectable after-taste to me. The texture is very similar to sugar, which is a nice change from Splenda.
I attempt to use sweeteners of any kind as rarely as possible; however, I am not totally past using sweeteners yet. From what I can tell right not Truvia looks like a better option than Splenda or the other artificial sweeteners. Keep in mind, I don’t advocate frequent use of any sweetener. I use sweeteners very infrequently, and I encourage you to do the same. There are even studies that indicate use of artificial sweeteners can side rail weight loss efforts. Like I said though, I am not totally past using them yet. I do think sweeteners are best if totally avoided (at least for me), or at a minimum as an occasional treat, but if you are going to use a sugar substitute, this seems to be a good alternative.
So what does this mean to you? Well, it means you have a chance to try Truvia for free. The Truvia folks have sent me a coupon to allow one luck reader a free box of Truvia (40-count box). All you have to do is leave a comment on today’s post. That’s not the only way to be entered though. If you provide a link back to this post in your blog, or on a forum, I will give you a second entry into the contest. The winner will be picked by a random number generator. I will award the coupon in Friday night’s post this week, so you have until 6:00 PM Central Time (UTC/GMT -5 hours) Friday, September 18th be entered in the contest. If you make a blog post or forum post about the contest, please shoot me an email via the contact page to be sure I am aware of it. Good luck!
Sorry, this is only available for readers with mailing addresses in the United States.
30 Responses to “Giveaway Post & Motivation for Monday”
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Steve, I haven’t tried Truvia, but use Stevia which I believe is similiar.
I want to eat less processed foods than I do, but for me, the real life is that with a big family, I can’t do it all the time!
I do avoid artifical sweeteners, and finally gave up diet drinks a few years ago. That was hard!
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South Beach Steve Reply:
September 14th, 2009 at 7:04 am
It is similar Diane, although it does also contain sugar alcohol (erythritol). I don’t know that I consider it fully natural or not, although it seems to come from natural sources. It is certainly processed, but like you, I cannot totally do away with the processed foods yet. I am getting closer all the time though. I do still occasionally have the diet drinks, although that is limited to less than one a week. I also still put sweetener in the bad coffee at work. Therefore, I am always on the lookout for a better option. For now, for me, this is probably the best option out there. I just wish it weren’t quite so expensive.
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I noticed a few weeks ago that Truvia is the sweetener used in 10 calorie vitamin water… I sure love that stuff. I didn’t even know they made regular packets of Truvia.
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South Beach Steve Reply:
September 14th, 2009 at 8:35 pm
While I try to eat as little sweet stuff as possible, I am enjoying this as my sweetener. I didn’t realize they were already incorporating it into things like vitamin water.
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I have tried Truvia once when I had some Sobe. I have somewhat mixed feelings about it, because it is still artificial in some ways, but I think it is 1000x better than Splenda.
I don’t drink sweetened drinks, but my husband does and I think I scared him off Splenda LOL. He now uses Stevia to sweeten coffee.
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South Beach Steve Reply:
September 14th, 2009 at 8:37 pm
Lori, you are right, it is still artificial in some ways. To call it 100% natural is misleading. Truth be known, anything could use the same argument as everything originates from something natural. Your point is right on though, it is much, much better than the alternatives.
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I looked at Truvia, but didn’t know what I thought about it–thatnks for the info. I’ve been using Stevia for most everything I need. I don’t really have a problem with adding sweetener to things–I drink all my coffee black, even the nasty office coffee!
Thanks for another great video, too!
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South Beach Steve Reply:
September 14th, 2009 at 8:39 pm
I love good, black coffee, but that stuff at work is only good when it is jacked up with additives.
I need to just bring some of my coffee from home to work, but I would never get any. The crazy hawks (or is it buzzards) would swoop down and drink it all before I would be able to get a cup. 
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Being diabetic, artificial sweeteners are my staple – never tried truvia before though! I’ll link back on my post tonight – thanks for the motivation Monday!
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South Beach Steve Reply:
September 14th, 2009 at 8:40 pm
Biz, I think you would like it. At least I do. I’m glad you liked the video.
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The sweetener wars, ack! I admit to using sugar.
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South Beach Steve Reply:
September 14th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
Larkspur, I am glad you can do the sugar. Truth be known, it is probably healthier than many of the substitutes. It just doesn’t work for me as I go crazy with it.
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i tried some at a friends house the other day sprinked over a sugar free dessert we made. it did have the same feel as sugar. very nice product from time to time. stevia is my fav. for coffee though.
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South Beach Steve Reply:
September 14th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
You said it Rachel – from time to time. That is the point I hope I made clear to everyone. I don’t think it is a good idea to keep the same diet we always had, just with substitute sweetener. We have to make a change.
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Amen to this message my friend! thanks for sharing.
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South Beach Steve Reply:
September 14th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
Thanks Lisa, I am glad you liked it.
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You are a natural at these vlogs…. I have truvia and it is pretty good. I am working on using sweeteners less and less these days. Thank god for bubbly mineral water, my go to beverage when I crave a diet coke. i read some research last week on Erythritol and diabetes prevention in rats. I will try to find it and link it to my blog this week. Hope you are having a good day!
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South Beach Steve Reply:
September 14th, 2009 at 8:44 pm
Thanks for the compliment Kat. I really enjoy the vlogs.
You are right on in using less and less sweeteners. I am doing just the same, but it is nice having a better alternative for that occasional sweet snack. BTW, I am anxious to see the study you are refering to.
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I find myself looking forward to Motivation for Monday and once again, I was not disappointed. Excellent message.
I know I can’t take part in your giveaway since I am so far up here in the Great White North (did I mention how hot and humid is still is here?) but I am posting regardless because I enjoy your posts and really appreciate that you respond to all you responses.
I use artificial sweetener every night in my cocoa. It has skim milk, fat free evaporated milk, cocoa powder and three sweeteners. It is my treat everyday and I will not give it up. I have stevia at home and agave nectar but I find the stevia has an aftertaste and the agave makes me cough like crazy.
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South Beach Steve Reply:
September 15th, 2009 at 6:38 am
Kimberley, I am glad you are finding the Motivation for Monday posts to be something you enjoy. As I have said before, I really enjoy doing them. This particular video was a real tough one to get done for some reason though. I bet I redid it 10 times.
I hate it that you can’t participate in the giveaway. That is one unfortunate thing about the global friendships developed through blogging. I am glad you commented though. I think I am going to have to try your cocoa recipe, especially as the nights begin to cool off.
I have to admit, I was a little amazed to read it is still hot and humid way up there. We have actually had some pretty cool days so far. I am ready for fall, but I do not look forward to the winter.
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Right on again Steve,motivation wow too bad we cant bottle it and sell it we’d be rich.It is hard for many of us to get motivated especially about diets,if you are like me I’ve tried em all.But you are so right which ever diet we choose then it better be for life,and you know there is just so many quick fixes out there it is hard to know which is for us.Cabbage diet for life,yuk and a half.
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South Beach Steve Reply:
September 15th, 2009 at 6:43 am
Thank you VAngel. If you figure out how to sell motivation, let me know. I think people really need to have that encouragement. It helps through the times when they are tough.
The whole diet thing is amazing to me. There is a whole industry that I don’t think really cares if you succeed or not, for if you fail, they make more money. It makes you wonder.
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Great post Steve! Isn’t it truly amazing what is out there on the ‘nutrition’ shelves and sad what desperate, dispirited folks are willing to purchase. The diet industry is built on failure — so much money to be made off of misery.
Good luck with the sweeteners. I’m glad to see you off Splenda. I understand how it may be a best alternative if you live with diabetes, but otherwise it is simply a designer chemical your body has no idea what to do with.
My oldest daughter didn’t taste refined sugar until she was 5ish. Her dad made her birthday cakes with apple juice as the sweetener.
I have started my fall schedule and am super busy, so my apologies if I don’t get by quite as regularly for the next week or two.
Have a great one!
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South Beach Steve Reply:
September 15th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
Wendy, it is amazing. Of course, products get rushed to the shelves before they are ever properly checked out. I will have to admit, we still use it for some of our food preservation, as I am totally avoiding the sugar, but its place is becoming far more limited in my house.
I think it is awesome that your oldest daughter didn’t taste refined sugar until she was 5ish. That is pretty impressive.
I understand getting busy. Stop by when you can.
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Another great video Steve! Right up there with your “make the decision” vlog.
On the topic of alternate sweeteners, have you looked at xylitol? It’s also known as birch sugar, as it is made from birch trees. During WWII, it was commonly used in Europe instead of sugar. It is not an artificial sweetener, just an alternate. It is a NET zero carb and has a third of the calories of sugar. Best of all, it kills the harmful bacteria in your mouth and stimulates saliva production, which remineralizes teeth. It’s pretty amazing, actually, but pretty expensive, too. I bought a 1lb bag at a health food store for 9 bucks!
Personally, I find it to taste a feel very much like sugar. The difference is that after eating xylitol, your mouth feels fresh, like someone just cleaned it. Very cool!
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Fit Fan Reply:
September 18th, 2009 at 9:32 am
Oh, and I forgot to mention that it has been used by diabetics for a long time, too.
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South Beach Steve Reply:
September 18th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
That makes it even better. Thanks again!
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South Beach Steve Reply:
September 18th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
Fitfan, I have not heard of xylitol. I’ll have to look it up and check it out. Thanks for the information!
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