Christine Avanti's ZSweet® Blueberry Muffins

In her recent article, 'New Sugar Alternative Backed by Respected MDs' "Top Los Angeles Nutritionist & Healthy Chef" Christine Avanti adds endorsement to Dr's Andrew Weil & Nicholas Perricone's recommendation for ZSweet® as a healthy alternative to sugar & artificial sweeteners.

Type in your name & email address & get access to her recipe for healthy sugar-free & dairy-free blueberry muffins made with ZSweet®. They're a remarkably low 97 calories compared to similar store bought blueberry muffins that were 380 calories! Gotta love that.

Learn more about Christine Avanti here.
  

photo credit: christineavanti.com

Agave, Far Worse Than High Fructose Corn Syrup

Here at Zero Worries Foods, Inc. we have found that the majority of people, even the health conscious, are under the impression that agave nectar is an all natural zero calorie sweetener, it's not. Many are consuming agave in large quantities unaware of the actual calories per serving; 16 calories per teaspoon, the same as table sugar (sucrose).

Besides the calories, agave adds more fructose to an average daily diet that is already bombarded by fructose in juice, soda, bread, cereal & other common foods. That much fructose can overload the liver & turn into fat & have other health implications.

In a recent article by Dr. Joseph Mercola he educates consumers in greater detail about agave (fructose) & highlights "two overall reasons fructose is so damaging:
Your body metabolizes fructose in a much different way than glucose. Fructose is broken down in your liver just like alcohol and produces many of the side effects of chronic alcohol use, right down to the "beer belly".
People are consuming fructose in quantities that are 400-800 percent higher than they were 100 years ago due to its pervasive presence in just about all processed foods."
Read the full article here.

We recommend cutting out caloric sweeteners & beverages & limiting sugar - whether fructose, glucose or sucrose as much as possible. ZSweet® is a natural, truly zero calorie way to do just that. Compare the differences of agave nectar & ZSweet® here.

ZSweet®, Ashley Koff Approved!

On April 25, 2010 ZSweet® become an Ashley Koff Approved food & is currently being used as her sweetener of choice for craft services on the production of several popular TV series. Learn more about Ashley below.

"Ashley Koff is a registered dietitian (R.D.) who strives to make better nutrition a way of life for all. Koff has the proven ability to demystify the science of nutrition and communicate the importance of a healthy lifestyle to clients in a way that instills loyalty and trust. Never preachy, Koff's clients truly admire her gentle and patient way of finding the correct and effective nutritional program to suit their individual needs. Her passionate style is effective, resulting in Koff being named by Citysearch as LA's "Best Nutritionist" three years running and a national media favorite. Koff appears monthly on Good Morning America Health and as the lead expert for HuffPost Living's 'Total Energy Makeover' with Ashley Koff RD; selected as Hollywood's Dietitian, InStyle magazine featured Koff's work in their coveted December (2009) issue."

ZSweet® Now Available at Vitaminshoppe.com

"Dedicated to helping people fulfill their health and wellness needs, the Vitamin Shoppe is a specialty retailer and direct marketer of nutritional products ranging from vitamins and minerals to nutritional supplements, herbs, sports nutrition formulas, homeopathic remedies, and health and beauty aids. The Vitamin Shoppe offers over 20,000 items from more than 400 of the most trusted brand names in Health & Wellness, Sports Nutrition, Weight Management, and Personal Care." 

ZSweet® is available at over 400 Vitamin Shoppe locations nationwide & is now conveniently available at vitaminshoppe.com.

Thick, Creamy Sugar-free Frozen Yogurt

by Carolyn Ketchum

 Ingredients:
3 cups greek-style yogurt*
3/4 cup granulated ZSweet®
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
OR
1 teaspoon lemon zest

Preparation:
In a medium bowl, mix yogurt, Zsweet® and vanilla or lemon zest, until Zsweet® is dissolved.  Chill for at least one hour. Pour into ice-cream maker and churn according to manufacturer's directions.

*If you cannot find greek-style yogurt, strain regular yogurt by placing in a colander lined with paper towels or coffee filters for 6 to 8 hours.  It will require 6 cups of regular yogurt to make 3 cups of greek-style.

photo credit: sikegami

Added Sugar Linked to Heart Disease

A study published in this week's Journal of the American Medical Association revealed that a high fat diet isn't the only cause for potential heart problems. A high sugar diet is also dangerous. Added sugars in packaged foods like ice cream & cereal can contribute risk factors for heart disease by increasing triglycerides & decreasing the good cholesterol HDL. It is important to read nutrition labels and avoid foods & beverages that contain a high sugar content per serving.

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It is also important to note that although honey & agave are natural sweeteners, they still contribute calories to the diet & can have the same effect as sugar in the body. You want to count your calories when using these sugar alternatives. Or you can use ZSweet® which is both all natural & zero calories & not worry about counting anything. ;)

Click to read article: "Higher Consumption of Dietary Added Sugars Associated With Unfavorable Cholesterol and Triglyceride Levels".

Savvy's Sugar-free Strawberry Cheesecake

I spotted this yummy cheesecake made with ZSweet® posted by Molly on 24Savvy.com, an online "community dedicated to providing members with tools for savvier living." 

Click here to here for the recipe & share your feedback with us.