Just Like Sugar Table Top was once my preferred natural sweetener by far. After testing hundreds of sweeteners, I used it in my books because it dissolves easily, it tastes delicious, and is easy to measure cup for cup like sugar. Even better, it has zero-calories and zero-carbs, os it does not raise blood sugar. People love the taste of SWEET, and Just Like Sugar filled the role.
It gently sweetened everything, and I got no sugar rush or aftertaste from it. The Table Top version was the best sweet flavor and texture in recipes, and great for coffee and tea. I was never paid or endorsed by Just Like Sugar in any way – I just love their product. I visited their factory in Las Vegas, met with Mike Sylver the brilliant inventor, and sampled all their products, with no negative effects. AMAZING!
Just Like Sugar suffered the fate of many cutting edge healthy products. Betrayed by Whole Foods, rejected by the Grocery Manufacterers Association, bankrupted by Splenda and then Covid. I’m saving this file, as there may be a future for the recipe.
Just Like Sugar Table Top was a blend of crystal chicory root that is 96% dietary fiber, mixed with calcium, vitamin C, and its sweetness comes from orange peel! Chicory root is high in sweet carbohydrate dietary fiber called inulin (IN-you-lin) not to be confused with insulin. Because of the structure of the inulin molecule, it is not digested in the human body, and does not metabolize as a carbohydrate. This means effectively that although it tastes sweet, it does not affect blood sugar levels, and it does not cause weight gain.
The health benefits of Just Like Sugar, unique among sweeteners:
1. Just Like Sugar is high in chicory root dietary fiber. Clinical research shows that a diet high in dietary fiber greatly benefits digestive functions.
2. Nutritional facts per the manufacturer’s label: A 100 gram serving contains 0 calories, 0 Sugar, 0 Fat, 0 Cholesterol, 0 Sodium, 0 Net Impact Carbohydrates and 0 Protein.
3. Just Like Sugar is not fermentable and will not promote tooth decay.
4. Just Like Sugar acts as a prebiotic in the body, meaning it helps to stimulate the growth and activity of healthy digestive bacteria.
5. Chicory root is often used to control blood sugar levels. It can be used to help stabilize the body blood sugar levels for diabetics and non diabetics alike
6. It is gluten-free, wheat-free, dairy-free and vegan safe. It does not contain soy, yeast, animal derivatives or preservatives.
Note: The sweeteners I recommend are suitable for the vast majority of people, including most people with gluten intolerance, celiac disease and diabetes. However every person’s digestion is unique, therefore they may not be suitable for everyone. A few people suffering from IBS or SIBO may not tolerate chicory root fiber. Before starting any new diet, please check with your medical practitioner.
16 Replies to "Just Like Sugar - Natural Chicory Root Sweetener, Out of Business"
Aaron Fletcher January 21, 2025 (1:37 am)
Im a youtuber I’ve made videos of roasting chicory root as coffee alternative and just recebtly discovered inulin sweeteners though internet said the blue agave inulin was sweeter than the chicory so ordered the agave inulin but it was no where near as sweet as sugar so whats more of the actual recipe so I can start trying to recreate this awesome sounding product that unfortunately the founder named to honestly and it became a threat to its approval in the market? Thanks for any recipe recreation insight!
Jane Barthelemy February 2, 2025 (6:42 am)
Hi Aaron, Thank you for your comment. Yes, I’ve roasted chicory root too, and love the flavor of chicory coffee. Making chicory inulin is a different process that I am not familiar with. My understanding is that chicory inulin is about 30% as sweet as sugar, so it would need the addition of a high-intensity sweetener to bring it up to sugar’s sweetness level. There are many possible high-intensity additions to any kind of inulin, but most of them are not very healthy. You could try mixing it with some 100% Monkfruit powder (hard to find the pure stuff). There are some high-intensity sweet plants that show promise. Read about the African berries here. https://janeshealthykitchen.com/paleo-sweeteners/
I do not have a solution to the problem yet. And I expect the food industry may continue to fight healthy sweeteners for a few more decades. Ha Ha! Patience, my friend. They can’t cling to a poisonous product forever. Thanks again! Jane
Linda March 3, 2025 (6:22 pm)
I still have a few sachets of Just Like Sugar! I would love for someone to recreate the recipe
Jane Barthelemy March 5, 2025 (12:24 pm)
We would all love that. But I don’t know how!
Real April 12, 2024 (8:16 pm)
is there a way I could ask you a couple of questions
Jane Barthelemy April 12, 2024 (10:20 pm)
Hi Real.
Yes, I just sent you my direct email.
Jane
Randy July 1, 2022 (9:58 pm)
where can I get just like sugar? seems they went out of business
Amazon doesn’t have and just like sugar website down
Jane Barthelemy August 31, 2022 (9:16 pm)
Hi Randy, thanks for your message. Mike Sylver, the admired president of Just Like Sugar, passed away recently. He was a tough guy! He survived betrayal after betrayal by the Grocery Association, competitors, and Whole Foods Market – it’s really unbelievable. So we give it up. There is no more Just Like Sugar. I suggest one of these OK sweeteners at this link: https://janeshealthykitchen.com/5-top-paleo-sweeteners/
Best wishes for your delicious health! Jane
Vera Lauranc December 8, 2021 (2:48 am)
Same. But I found the expensive stuff here:
https://store.chocoperfection.com/product-p/7180.htm
Jane Barthelemy December 8, 2021 (3:51 pm)
Yes, Sweet Perfection is OK to consume. But look, they’re doing the age-old money game with this one too. Fortunately, I’m completely off sweets now, and doing fine. Jane
JoAnn Austin August 18, 2021 (10:10 am)
What do you recommend in place of the just like sugar? I recently got your Paleo desserts cookbook and I’m looking forward to trying the recipes.
Jane Barthelemy August 18, 2021 (5:45 pm)
Hi JoAnn, thanks for your comment. I suggest Lakanto, PureLo by Swanson Foods, and Swerve. Check out this article for links: https://janeshealthykitchen.com/5-top-paleo-sweeteners/
Warmest regards, and let me know if you have any questions as you get into my book!
Jane
ElDee June 29, 2021 (2:36 pm)
This must be a very old post. I can’t find Just Like Sugar at any of the 3 websites listed. 🙁
Jane Barthelemy July 3, 2021 (10:03 pm)
Yes, you’re right. They are not responding. To be healthy we must use other sweeteners. Or skip sweets altogether. Best wishes! Jane
Janice July 26, 2024 (12:34 pm)
Sweet Perfection might work in your recipes, but it does have stevia in it. I’ve never tried it. I’m trying to find something that doesn’t have stevia. https://www.chocoperfection.com/natural-sugar-substitute-s/52.htm
Jane Barthelemy July 26, 2024 (5:05 pm)
Hi Janice, Yes, I agree that Sweet Perfection might be OK. Actually, the truth is that any sweetener will work in my recipes. Ha Ha! It’s entirely up to the user. As time moves on, we will have more and more alternatives. Let us know what you find. Best wishes for your delicious health. Jane