Anyone use coconut palm sugar?

WildflowerMama · 09-10-2009, 07:52 AM

I'm trying to eliminate all artificial sugars from my diet. I also want a healthier alternative for my children. I understand that sugar isn't exactly health food but, I came across Coconut Palm sugar and wanted to get your thoughts?

It's supposed to be a low GI food - GI of 35 - and it's supposed to be very sustainable.

I found it at Whole Foods for $3.99/lb

BikerAng · 09-10-2009, 11:28 AM

I used it when following Nourishing Traditions recipes, but I was gaining weight like crazy (but I was eating a lot of grains, maple sugar, and raw honey!). It's nice in Thai dishes, in very small quantities (the kind I have has a smokey flavor and it has to be grated). I may use it 2x a year.

jacksmixedtape · 09-10-2009, 03:36 PM

Yeah, I picked it up at an asian market once (they have those in every town, just use Google to find them). It was such a pain to grate, and got very sticky from the warmth of my hand. I don't really believe it's low GI because I'm not sure about the science behind it, so it'd be interesting to see some more information about palm sugar. It certainly isn't very sweet, so that may have something to do with it.

WildflowerMama · 09-10-2009, 04:18 PM

Lauren - there is a lot of information out there that the kind found in asian markets may be cut with cane sugar or other fillers even though it says 100% pure palm sugar.

In order to be assured that it's pure coconut palm sugar - it must come from the coco nucifera plant.

The one I linked, as far as I'm aware, is the only one on the market with this certification.

I have to say that for me, I'm really appreciating having this alternative. I truly think it's low GI. I've used honey and maple syrup and I can absolutely tell a dip in my blood sugar after using them. I do not get that at all with the coconut palm sugar.

jacksmixedtape · 09-10-2009, 04:47 PM

Glad it's working well for you.

Good to know about the stuff at asian markets.

I still don't understand how it's low glycemic if it's just sucrose:

"The major component of coconut sugar is sucrose (70-79%) followed by glucose and fructose (3-9%) each. Minor variations will occur, due to differences in primary processing, raw material source, tree age and variety of coconut."

Hmm...

cordellpascall · 09-16-2009, 11:34 PM

Never used it but how it takes and can i get it from .. any grocery store or organic food store?

WildflowerMama · 09-18-2009, 08:45 AM

To me, it tastes a bit like brown sugar. I find it at Whole Foods but you may be able to request your local health food store carry it.

WildflowerMama · 10-08-2009, 08:52 AM

Just wanted to update:

I've decided to stick with the brand I find at Whole Foods since it's the only one certified to come from the coco nucifera plant which is the only "coconut palm sugar" that is low GI.

I also made Lauren's Peanut Butter Chocolate Silk Pie for my parents for their anniversary using nothing but coconut palm sugar and erythritol. I used coconut palm at about 75 % of the sweetener in the recipe and erythritol at about 25%. My Dad is a diabetic and after two huge slices of pie, his blood sugar was 91.

This truly seems to be low gylcemic. I know for me, it's not affecting me in any way. I have some in my morning coffee and I don't experience any highs or lows nor does it induce cravings like other sweeteners.

bosomrocker · 10-08-2009, 11:07 PM

I've been using palm sugar (coconut palm nectar) for about a year now and i love it. I don't buy the stuff that you have to grate.... a lot of times that is blended with cane sugar in order to get that consistency. I buy mine at the local health food store or Whole Foods. I just looked in my pantry and the brand is Sweet Tree Organic Palm Sugar. I love the taste of it. I used to use agave, yet because of the information that came out that it's just a high fructose syrup, i switched to the coconut sugar. From the companies website, it seems like an amazing product. I'm sold on it. I actually put some on the salmon i cooked on the grill the other day.... OMG!!!!

So, here is one happy customer that gives it 2 thumbs up. No need for cane sugar or agave in my kitchen anymore.

WholesomenHungry · 10-12-2009, 12:32 AM

I just joined this group recently and have been reading through all the posts...Happened upon this one about palm sugar and thought I would make my first post! I live in Portland, OR and purchased Sweettree Coconut Sugar at New Seasons because I had been hearing about it online as a new healthy sweetener. It is so delicious! I was an avid Agave fan because of the low GI and raw status but I have been hearing a ton of negative press on it...raw agave seems to be a scam because somehow it is boiled for hours and yet still called "raw"?? (Can anyone speak to this?) And then there are the fructose issues that I think Bosomrocker is talking about above...Apparently, Agave has an even higher fructose content than High Fructose Corn Syrup and can cause the same health problems! So that was it for Agave in my life! Too many of these health-washing scams! But the coconut sugar is really good and works in every recipe as a 1:1 replacement for cane sugars... By the way, I did read online that most coconut sugar is cut with cane and preservatives like bisulphites...But SweetTree is organic certified and claims on its ingredients that it is 100% pure coconut nectar!

09-10-2009, 07:52 AM	#1
WildflowerMama Senior LCF Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Desperate for Fall Posts: 972 Gallery: WildflowerMama Stats: 185.5/162.4/145 Start Date: Nov 2006	Anyone use coconut palm sugar? I'm trying to eliminate all artificial sugars from my diet. I also want a healthier alternative for my children. I understand that sugar isn't exactly health food but, I came across Coconut Palm sugar and wanted to get your thoughts? It's supposed to be a low GI food - GI of 35 - and it's supposed to be very sustainable. I found it at Whole Foods for $3.99/lb

09-10-2009, 04:18 PM	#4
WildflowerMama Senior LCF Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Desperate for Fall Posts: 972 Gallery: WildflowerMama Stats: 185.5/162.4/145 Start Date: Nov 2006	Lauren - there is a lot of information out there that the kind found in asian markets may be cut with cane sugar or other fillers even though it says 100% pure palm sugar. In order to be assured that it's pure coconut palm sugar - it must come from the coco nucifera plant. The one I linked, as far as I'm aware, is the only one on the market with this certification. I have to say that for me, I'm really appreciating having this alternative. I truly think it's low GI. I've used honey and maple syrup and I can absolutely tell a dip in my blood sugar after using them. I do not get that at all with the coconut palm sugar. __________________ Pain is temporary. Quitting lasts forever. Lance Armstrong Losing weight is hard, but being fat is harder. Choose your hard. Don't sit if you can stand. Don't stand if you can walk. Don't walk if you can run. Get Moving!

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09-10-2009, 11:28 AM	#2
BikerAng MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Duvall, WA Posts: 1,834 Gallery: BikerAng Stats: 195/167/155 5'9" WOE: Atkins - organic & humanely raised Start Date: Feb 2007	I used it when following Nourishing Traditions recipes, but I was gaining weight like crazy (but I was eating a lot of grains, maple sugar, and raw honey!). It's nice in Thai dishes, in very small quantities (the kind I have has a smokey flavor and it has to be grated). I may use it 2x a year.

09-10-2009, 03:36 PM	#3
jacksmixedtape Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: going to school in NC Posts: 3,422 Gallery: jacksmixedtape Stats: 160/140ish, 5'11" WOE: gluten-free whole foods Start Date: May 2007	Yeah, I picked it up at an asian market once (they have those in every town, just use Google to find them). It was such a pain to grate, and got very sticky from the warmth of my hand. I don't really believe it's low GI because I'm not sure about the science behind it, so it'd be interesting to see some more information about palm sugar. It certainly isn't very sweet, so that may have something to do with it.

09-10-2009, 04:47 PM	#5
jacksmixedtape Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: going to school in NC Posts: 3,422 Gallery: jacksmixedtape Stats: 160/140ish, 5'11" WOE: gluten-free whole foods Start Date: May 2007	Glad it's working well for you. Good to know about the stuff at asian markets. I still don't understand how it's low glycemic if it's just sucrose: "The major component of coconut sugar is sucrose (70-79%) followed by glucose and fructose (3-9%) each. Minor variations will occur, due to differences in primary processing, raw material source, tree age and variety of coconut." Hmm...

09-16-2009, 11:34 PM	#6
cordellpascall Junior LCF Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 3 Gallery: cordellpascall	Never used it but how it takes and can i get it from .. any grocery store or organic food store?

09-18-2009, 08:45 AM	#7
WildflowerMama Senior LCF Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Desperate for Fall Posts: 972 Gallery: WildflowerMama Stats: 185.5/162.4/145 Start Date: Nov 2006	To me, it tastes a bit like brown sugar. I find it at Whole Foods but you may be able to request your local health food store carry it.

10-08-2009, 08:52 AM	#8
WildflowerMama Senior LCF Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Desperate for Fall Posts: 972 Gallery: WildflowerMama Stats: 185.5/162.4/145 Start Date: Nov 2006	Just wanted to update: I've decided to stick with the brand I find at Whole Foods since it's the only one certified to come from the coco nucifera plant which is the only "coconut palm sugar" that is low GI. I also made Lauren's Peanut Butter Chocolate Silk Pie for my parents for their anniversary using nothing but coconut palm sugar and erythritol. I used coconut palm at about 75 % of the sweetener in the recipe and erythritol at about 25%. My Dad is a diabetic and after two huge slices of pie, his blood sugar was 91. This truly seems to be low gylcemic. I know for me, it's not affecting me in any way. I have some in my morning coffee and I don't experience any highs or lows nor does it induce cravings like other sweeteners.

10-08-2009, 11:07 PM	#9
bosomrocker Junior LCF Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 1 Gallery: bosomrocker	I've been using palm sugar (coconut palm nectar) for about a year now and i love it. I don't buy the stuff that you have to grate.... a lot of times that is blended with cane sugar in order to get that consistency. I buy mine at the local health food store or Whole Foods. I just looked in my pantry and the brand is Sweet Tree Organic Palm Sugar. I love the taste of it. I used to use agave, yet because of the information that came out that it's just a high fructose syrup, i switched to the coconut sugar. From the companies website, it seems like an amazing product. I'm sold on it. I actually put some on the salmon i cooked on the grill the other day.... OMG!!!! So, here is one happy customer that gives it 2 thumbs up. No need for cane sugar or agave in my kitchen anymore.

10-12-2009, 12:32 AM	#10
WholesomenHungry Junior LCF Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 1 Gallery: WholesomenHungry	I just joined this group recently and have been reading through all the posts...Happened upon this one about palm sugar and thought I would make my first post! I live in Portland, OR and purchased Sweettree Coconut Sugar at New Seasons because I had been hearing about it online as a new healthy sweetener. It is so delicious! I was an avid Agave fan because of the low GI and raw status but I have been hearing a ton of negative press on it...raw agave seems to be a scam because somehow it is boiled for hours and yet still called "raw"?? (Can anyone speak to this?) And then there are the fructose issues that I think Bosomrocker is talking about above...Apparently, Agave has an even higher fructose content than High Fructose Corn Syrup and can cause the same health problems! So that was it for Agave in my life! Too many of these health-washing scams! But the coconut sugar is really good and works in every recipe as a 1:1 replacement for cane sugars... By the way, I did read online that most coconut sugar is cut with cane and preservatives like bisulphites...But SweetTree is organic certified and claims on its ingredients that it is 100% pure coconut nectar!