How to Handle your Sweet Tooth on a Low Carb Eating Plan – Part One

I have a major sweet tooth – that is part of the reason why I got up to my highest weight of 272 lbs on my 5’4″ frame in 2006. With a low carb way of eating, I have dropped 40 lbs from that highest weight and I am still losing.

There have been ups and downs in my weight in the last 3 years particularly – from the highest of 272 lbs to a low of 207 lbs. Pregnancy in 2009 added some but mostly, when I crept back up to 237 lbs recently after the birth of my daughter, it was from poor eating habits. By poor eating habits I mean eating mostly high carb foods -  too much sugar, white flour, pasta and processed foods – and not enough fruits and vegetables.

At the age of 40 now, I have committed to being healthier by the time I hit age 41 in September 2010. Healthier means alot of things, not just losing weight so I can be classified in the “normal” weight range, not the “morbidly obese” range (I hate that phrase!) Being healthier means eating more fruits, vegetables and fiber, decreasing my cholesterol and triglyceride levels, increasing my aerobic capacity and decreasing my chances of becoming diabetic. A low carbohydrate way of eating works for me and it will help me achieve my goal weight (150 lbs) and healthier lifestyle. From now to September – 5 months – it is definitely possible to lose 82 lbs, but if it takes me longer that is ok too. It’s a lifestyle, not a diet – a journey, not a final destination.

A love of sweets does not lend itself well to a low carbohydrate lifestyle but I have found ways to work within the parameters of low carb to satisfy the desire for something sweet. Fortunately, the longer I am controlling my carb intake, the less cravings I have for something sweet. When I do need something sweet there are two things I turn to – Splenda and protein powder – read about what I do with protein powder in “How to Handle your Sweet Tooth on a Low Carb Eating Plan – Part Two”.

Splenda is a godsend to those of us that choose to eat low carb. While it tastes like sugar and is made from sugar, it isn’t sugar – it is sucralose. Sucralose does not contain aspartame (a potentially unhealthy sweetener) and it is low in calories and carbohydrates. It is recommended as an alternative sweetener for diabetics too. You can find more information on the Splenda website (click here).

I am a coffee drinker but I don’t sweeten it – just drink it black. My hubby is a diabetic so when he sweetens his coffee, its with Splenda. I have baked with Splenda and it works really well but baked goods don’t work well for me trying to eat low carb!  What I do make for a low carb sweet snack (in very small quantities) is custard made from heavy cream, egg yolks, vanilla and Splenda. This is how I do it:

1 litre heavy whipping cream

8 egg yolks

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1/2 Splenda granulated ( I buy it by this 1.2 lb bag normally but if you just have the individual packets you can open enough of them to make 1/2 cup!)

I keep my separated egg whites in the fridge for when I make egg white omelets so they are never wasted.

In a stainless steel bowl over a pot of simmering water, or a double boiler, whisk the egg yolks until blended and add all of the heavy cream. Whisk well to combine. Cook the egg and cream mixture, stirring constantly, until the mixture has thickened. This will take about 10 minutes or so. When the mixture has thickened, take it off the heat and let it cool for 10-15 minutes or so, stirring occasionally. A skin will form over the top but don’t worry about that. When the mixture has cooled (it will continue to thicken the colder it gets), stir in the vanilla and Splenda. Place a sieve over a bowl large enough to hold the custard and strain the custard through the sieve to remove any lumps. This makes the custard a nice silky texture. Refrigerate until pudding like consistency. Serves 16 – 1/4 cup servings. It is very rich so you don’t need much at all to satisfy a sweet craving – besides, cream has carbs in it so too much of this can throw your carb intake out of whack for the day.

Try out this recipe and let me know what you think!

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