Consuming Xylitol

[eirual]

I thought we could post ideas on how to make it to 6g throughout the day without relying on gum and candy, which for DS is getting old fast.

-tsp. in plain yogurt with a drop of vanilla or cinnamon
-I'm going to attempt to set gelatin with xylitol and kool-aid flavouring for a Jell-o like dessert. (Kool-aid still has some sugar in the flavour pack itself- anyone know of how to get flavour without sugar, or a more natural option?)
-Kool-aid and xylitol popcicles
-"Pop" (DH brought hom an old-fashioned lemon lime soda one day, which made me get DS an alternative so he didn't want mine: ice cubes, juice of a lemon wedge, tsp xylitol, 2 drops yellow colour, 1 drop green colour (mimicked the colour of the soda exactly- entirely optional), top up with water.
-Xylitol and Cinnamon in a shaker for using randomly as 'cinnamon sugar' on toast or bagels and cream cheese, oatmeal.

[lindberg99]

I mix it in a glass of milk or in oatmeal.

[jenmamahen]

We mix 1/2 tsp with a TBSP of water and brush DD's teeth with it. She drinks the last little bit of it, which she really loves. She likes having her teeth brushed with the xylitol better than w/ toothpaste.

[deditus]

Please post your ideas, mamas! I need them. My dd doesn't like sweet stuff, but she does like the Berryblast mints so that's all I've been able to get into her, lol!

[caspian's mama]

has anyone's kid made it to 6g (or close) before? i think there's a risk of diarrhea at high levels. i'm guessing it's like magnesium or vitC, though, and you can just taper it your your own/kid's needs.

ds loves the gum and has used stevia for a while, but hasn't tried the xyl powder yet. hope he likes it. thx for all the suggestions. glad popsicle season is rapidly approaching!

[eirual]

Ice Cream

I have yet to do it, but I forgot that I aso wanted to make homemade icecream using xylitol in place of sugar. Vanilla or peppermint, likely.

[caspian's mama]

ooh! i can't believe i didn't think of that! please post a recipe if you try it out. and good luck!

[eirual]

also, just remembered tonight as we made hot cocoa: warm milk, bit of cocoa, and tsp. of xylitol.

[flowmom]

We are just using the gum and candies because the main benefit of the xylitol is when it stays in the mouth as long as possible (ideally the candies are sucked). I believe this stuff has been researched and the gum has been found to be the most effective. Xylitol in food is not likely to be as effective unless it's somewhat sticky and stays on the teeth. It's not how much you ingest but how frequently and how long it's in contact with the teeth.

[caspian's mama]

so heating it doesn't alter the properties?

[flowmom]

Originally Posted by caspian's mama

so heating it doesn't alter the properties?

no

[caspian's mama]

rad. thanks.


we're gonna make some popsicles today. ds is very excited.

[Skim]

My almost-3 yo likes to brush her teeth, and we let her dip her brush in it and let her go. She'll brush most times for several minutes, which is good for us.

I loooove the popsicle idea!

[eirual]

Originally Posted by eirual

-I'm going to attempt to set gelatin with xylitol and kool-aid flavouring for a Jell-o like dessert. (Kool-aid still has some sugar in the flavour pack itself- anyone know of how to get flavour without sugar, or a more natural option?)

Okay, so I tried this using about 1/8th of a C. xylitol to 1 pkg. (2C set liquid) of gelatin. According to DH (who tasted it since I'm a vegetarian) it was not at all sweet and DS didn't go for it either. If you try to set xylitol in gelatin, I'd start with at least a 1/4C xylitol to 2C liquid. I used about half an envelope of orange koolaid and that was fine, it just wasn't at all sweet. It otherwise worked great.

With organic whipping cream, I figure you could put some xylitol in there too and have a fine 'dessert' / mouth cleaning.

[Koalamom]

You all sound excited about xylitol, but I wouldn't give it to my kids. It is still a new for of sweetener, and not enough research on how it effects our bodies. I will not be a guinea pig for the stuff.

[newcastlemama]

Originally Posted by eirual

Okay, so I tried this using about 1/8th of a C. xylitol to 1 pkg. (2C set liquid) of gelatin. According to DH (who tasted it since I'm a vegetarian) it was not at all sweet and DS didn't go for it either. If you try to set xylitol in gelatin, I'd start with at least a 1/4C xylitol to 2C liquid. I used about half an envelope of orange koolaid and that was fine, it just wasn't at all sweet. It otherwise worked great.

With organic whipping cream, I figure you could put some xylitol in there too and have a fine 'dessert' / mouth cleaning.

You can make yummy natural jello with gelitan, water, and juice (I have done grape and cherry)

Anyone have a recpie to make the candies at home?

[eirual]

So as not to de-rail this thread, I started a new post on The Safety of Xylitol ... thought we could explore the idea there and hopefully all learn a little more about the subject. Thanks for bringing up an important point, bluebirdmama1

[Koalamom]

Originally Posted by eirual

So as not to de-rail this thread, I started a new post on The Safety of Xylitol ... thought we could explore the idea there and hopefully all learn a little more about the subject. Thanks for bringing up an important point, bluebirdmama1

I'm there. Thanks!

[luv2bamommy2]

My son, who's almost 3 now, got to the point where he would not eat the candy or chew the gum, so my mom just did what 'SKIM' did, brush his teeth with 1 tsp [=4 grams] in a little water and he is fine with that twice a day, he drinks the rest.

Then we found, or mom did, Emerald Forest Xylitol [/www.emeraldforestxylitol.com], they have all kinds of flavors, and T loves at least 3 of them. Licorice, Watermelon, and Cherry Blast. They remind me of Sweet Tarts, size and flavor. And their cost isn't enormous $2.99 [I think, for 100 little candies].

But I love your idea of using Xylitol in cooking and jello, etc. My mom made some Brownies with Xylitol and they tasted pretty good. And she has thought about making jelly candies with it.

As to Xylitol causing diarrhea, it can. I can only consume about 6 grams before I have the runs, mom is the same. But my son can take 10 grams with no noticeable problem. I think it is because we've been building up to that. The gum and brushing are the best for present decay, but Xylitol just in the mouth prevents bacteria from sticking to the teeth - inhibiting it from turning into acids that start the decay process.

To the mom who stated that Xylitol is some new sweetener that is only now being tested and she wouldn't use it for her children; it has been used, tested and researched since WW2. And the US military is now using it for the soldiers out in the field. And there are some insurance companies that now accept Xylitol as a dental plan [check www.epicdental.com].

But as for me, I am so thankful for it, to me it - plus alot of prayer - has been a toothsaver where my little boy is concerned.

Sorry for getting on the bandwagon...

[Denali]

Originally Posted by luv2bamommy2

Then we found, or mom did, Emerald Forest Xylitol [/www.emeraldforestxylitol.com]

Thanks for the great link...I just sent off my first order