Everybody asks me: “What’s in the chicory root sweetener?” Last week I paid a visit to the Just Like Sugar factory to give their CEO, Mike Sylver, a signed copy of my book Paleo Desserts. I had already done an enormous amount of research comparing hundreds of sweeteners on the market and I compiledmy book: “325 Sweeteners, Which is Best?“. For two years I had been developing dessert recipes with several natural sweeteners that have no effect on blood sugar. I was impressed and wrote about the benefits of chicory root Just Like Sugar Table Top on my blog. Now I wanted to know more. What’s the real scoop? What are the secret ingredients? Did they really manage to make a healthy sweetener? Is it actually possible?
Mike met me in the conference room and gave me a complete tour of their factory. It is very large, clean, and under construction. He introduced me to the staff and shared the history of his inventions. Then he showed me the ingredients, the entire product line, and invited me to taste his new creations. He described the projects they’re working on for the future. I was impressed with his health-oriented inventions using natural chicory root and orange peel. He has created a healthy sweetener with no carbs, calories, or blood sugar response, for use in the entire food industry in place of high-sugar products.
There are 4 ingredients in Just Like Sugar Table Top Sweetener. They are grown without any herbicides or pesticides.
- Chicory root is grown on farms in Brazil is sent to Europe, ground into powdered inulin fiber, and shipped to the USA.
- Organic Orange Peel grown on farms in Brazil. The thin surface of the orange peel is removed and dissolved in water. It is then sprayed onto a sub-freezing surface to turn it into pure white crystals that are 600 times sweeter than sugar. Surprisingly, the sweetness in pure orange peel is so strong that the brain interprets it as bitter, not sweet.
- Calcium citrate
- Vitamin C
Chicory root is high in dietary fiber called inulin (IN-you-lin) not to be confused with insulin. The inulin molecule contains fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), a carbohydrate that does not metabolize in the human body. This means effectively that although it tastes sweet, it does not affect blood sugar levels and does not cause weight gain. Chicory root fiber is an indigestible cabohydrate, that is calculated as having zero “net carbs” in the body. It is often prescribed as a pre-biotic to promote healthy intestinal flora. And it does not promote tooth cavities because it does not ferment like table sugar. A great bonus!
I was blown away – really truly – by the many creative inventions I tasted. We started with “Fiber-up”, a healthy soft drink in natural fruit flavors. I sampled his hot chocolate made with no sugar. Delicious! He gave me a root beer made from real sasparilla root, and ginger ale from fresh ginger root. My taste buds tingled with the taste of real food. Mike described healthy chewing gum and chocolate chip cookies without sugar. I tried a jelly bean with actual fruit flavors! The lemon taste was palpable, made from real lemons. Everything I ate left my body feeling balanced and happy.
The factory Mike is putting together is most impressive. His products are analyzed backwards and forwards by a team of medical doctors, to be confident that they are excellent quality. Most of all I appreciated his orientation for the betterment of human health. The priority of health is sadly a rare quality in the food industry. I was pleased to see his intention to use all natural whole foods to retain the nutritional qualities and flavor, creating a product line to improve human health worldwide.
Let me say right now that I have no ties with the company Just Like Sugar. I’m looking for the healthiest natural sweetener that gives no rise in blood sugar or insulin response in the body. Just Like Sugar Table Top is used in my cookbook Paleo Desserts. It is the best sweetener I’ve found so far.
Just Like Sugar products are available in the USA, UK and Australia. They are currently in some Whole Foods Markets in the USA. If you don’t find them in stock at Whole Foods Markets, ask them to order the Just Like Sugar Table Top in the 1# green bag. This is the primary sweetener used in my Paleo Desserts cookbook. Buy it online from JustLikeSugarInc.com, Vitacost.com, Netrition.com, Amazon.com
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. Certain people suffering from IBS or SIBO may not tolerate chicory root fiber. Before starting any new diet, please check with your medical practitioner.
12 Replies to "My Trip to the Just Like Sugar Factory"
Maggie August 19, 2024 (9:31 am)
Hello Jane, any updates on Mike Sylver passing away?
Jane Barthelemy September 1, 2024 (10:26 pm)
Hello Maggie, No update. I am not in touch with Mike Sylver’s family. I understand he passed away, and his company is no more. Warmest regards, Jane
Kris April 1, 2024 (2:48 pm)
Have you tried to formulate your own version i.e. adding other sweeteners to an insulin base? I’d love to find a good recipe to make my own without having to do the experimentation.
Jane Barthelemy April 12, 2024 (10:39 pm)
Hi Kris,
I have not tried formulating it myself. I’m living in Asia now, and the ingredients available here are completely different. Remember Chicory INULIN is completely different from INSULIN. If I were you I’d start with CHICORY INuLIN, a prebiotic powder, and mix it with a safe slightly higher-intensity sweetener like Stevia original unprocessed dried leaf green powder, or PureLo Lo Han pure powder available here: https://www.swansonvitamins.com/p/swanson-premium-purelo-lo-han-sweetener-monk-fruit-7-oz-200-grams-pwdr
Trust me, the high intensity sweeteners on the market are mostly quite toxic including most LoHan and Stevia processed white powders. Yes, you will have to put your experimenter’s cap on. When you discover the best combination, please kindly share it with us so we can be healthy too! Thank you! Warmest regards, Jane
Kim Dankworth July 18, 2021 (7:13 pm)
Hi Jane, I AM praying that Just Like Sugar does come back. There is no other product out there like it and hopefully a venture capitalist will see the enormous potential in this product. There are customers out there that not only want it but need it too. Where can Just Like Sugar lovers stay abreast of what Mike Sylver’s plans are? I also am being patient because there are so many of your recipes I haven’t made yet!
Jane Barthelemy July 18, 2021 (9:11 pm)
Hi Kim, Thank you. Yes. He’s a resilient, intelligent man. Let’s send him all our best wishes! Jane
tony July 5, 2021 (5:12 pm)
What happen with Just Like Sugar ????
Jane Barthelemy July 6, 2021 (7:59 am)
Hi Tony! Well, one of their corporations went bankrupt, but I understand the other one is still ok. Perhaps they’re taking a Covid hiatus and will come back. But the president Mike Sylver is’t responding to my calls or emails. So who knows. Patience. Pray.
tony July 19, 2021 (9:35 pm)
Thank you for replying !!!
I hope all the best to him,is a great product ! i thought the sugar corporation eliminate the company !!
PLEASE inform us whenever the product is available !!!!
Also i bought achicory root powder, i read somewhere to boil for 5 min and drink it.
Do you have any tip ? about dosage and usage
Thank you !!!
Jane Barthelemy July 23, 2021 (6:43 am)
You need to start with chicory inulin. (Not insulin) This is sometimes available as a pre-biotic with supplements. It’s about 30% as sweet as sugar. It adds healthy fiber to a recipe, but not very much sweetness. What to do? You’ll need to change your taste buds to accept less sweetness. Or spike it with another sweetener that’s a higher intensity. I would mix it with LoHan Pure by Swanson. There are many high intensity sweetener options out there, but not many healthy ones. LoHan Pure is safe and about 6x sweeter than sugar. Best wishes! Jane
Tony February 8, 2024 (5:01 am)
Hi Jane any update from president Mike Sylver or about the product since 2021 ??
Thank you !!!!
Jane Barthelemy April 12, 2024 (11:55 pm)
Hello Tony, Most recent update is that Mike Sylver passed away. A great loss to humanity of that brilliant and inventive spirit! He was a great creative inspiration for health and received nothing but trouble for his gifts. Best regards, Jane