Gums (Guar & Xanthan), Cellulose and creative low cal foods?

August 28, 2003

HI! I'm new to the list and have enjoyed doing what I could to research the

archive and review your super files. I like what I read as a value

orientation, though I'm afraid I'll never have the patience to wade through

the research as some of you obviously have and do. I don't like ideological

approaches like Atkins, and I'm even a little surprised to see the support

here for Sears as I'd seen lots of negative commentary on the science

behind Zone. But cutting calories makes sense, and aiming for the long run.

My own style has been to reduce stupid carbs (white flour and sugar), cut

fat wherever possible, go heavy on the fruits and vegetables. This took me

from 195 to 155 over the past 6-8 months, and it feels real good.

I like being creative with low calorie foods, and have been using guar some,

using Splenda and Stevia, super-low cal sorbets, iced fat-free iced milks,

etc, I'd really like help or suggestions in this area, and or to know of

interests in this area shared by others.

I've searched the Web long and hard and never really found a good

practical discussion of the uses of those gums. I've seen Guar for sale,

including those cheap prices at beyond-a-century that someone else in

your group had picked up.. but it's seemed to me that Xanthan gum, while

very similar,seems a little easier to work with?

I see in the recipes that Warren suggests adding about equal parts of guar

gum and cellulose powder. I bet there's a rationale, but I haven't found

one.. and I get there's insight as to textural differences.

I noted someplace the possibility of using this combination for a pseudo

cheesecake? Wow.. that' would be interesting, and I'd love to find out

more. Recently I did a brief experience in this direction whipping Xanthan

gum and water and incorporating it with Splenda and egg-whites for a

pseudo angel-cake. I really just threw stuff together but the results from

baking (it was a little dry) suggested that I should explore this some more.

I hope I'm not too far off the mark of appropriate topics for the list. I've

been a little vague but am much looking forward to the dialog.

Care and appreciation,

Steve Iman -- sciman@...

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