Sugar free flavoring syrups

Okay ya'll...confess!  How many bottles of Davinci, Monin, Artista, Torini or other flavoring syrups do you own?  Do you have a favorite or are you like me and you just love them all?  I'll admit, I am especially fond of  the Artista Vanilla Hazelnut.   A spash of that liquid sunshine could brighten just about anything! I have a whole shelf in the pantry dedicated to my syrups.  They are arranged in alpha order and each is visible from the front (so that I can see all of my choices.) I think the feeling must be similar to what hunters experience   But rather than sit in a tree stand I enjoy going to every TJ Maxx or Marshalls within 30 miles to check out what they have in stock.  When I hit a good selection I just want to strap it to the front of my Murano and drive through town honking the horn!  Hey look at me!!!!  I found a bargain! I'll have to count them when I get home and post later.  (Update...I have 24 bottles of delicious syrups and I adore them all!!!) Has anyone tried the Monin Dark Chocolate Sugarfree sauce?  How about Ghirardelli's sugar free chocolate sauce?  Just curious. I'm anxious to see how many bottles everyone has. Freddie

Hi Freddie. Everyone seems to won some sort of flavor of syrup. What do you use them in or on> Is it something that you primarily use to make protein shakes better? I guess because I never could get into the protein shakes, I never did try or get inot the Davinci syrups or other things. Do you use them for desert also? The only thing i have ever used is the SF Chocolate Syrup that i use to make Choclate milk or add to my peanut butter when I want a desert. I have never tried any of the "syrups" everyone raves about except in protein drinks and I do not like Protein drinks so maybe I will get some ideas from everyone who uses them and maybe I will try them.

Misty ~ I'm really curious ~ how did you lose all your weight if you didn't drink protein shakes? With my tastes changing, I am finding that I don't like them nearly as much as I did before surgery. I loved the Slimfast Low Carb (choc) shakes before surgery. Initially after surgery, I didn't like them, but after about a week, they tasted ok again. The last 2 days I have dumped 3 down the drain, because I just can't choke them down. I did mix one with extra protein powder, some strawberries and banana to try to liven it up. All it did was make that much more for me to drink. I did drink it, but that was over a week ago - probably just before my tastes changed. Not sure what to do now. Would love your suggestions... ~ Tara 

Hey Sweet Pea!

I hate protein drinks too but I found that I can mix up stuff that tastes really yummy with just a little imagination and a lot of syrup flavors!  I use sugar free creamers (vanilla, vanilla caramel and hazelnut) with either instant coffee, skim milk, Hood's Calorie Countdown Chocolate Dairy Beverage etc.  After I decide on the base and the creamer, I add a couple of ounces of syrup.  Right now I am having a delicious mix of AO cappucino, vanilla caramel creamer and Hershey's sugar free chocolate sauce.  Believe it or not...it is reminiscent of Bailey's Irish Cream.  YUMMY! 

I am no longer a fan of those thick protein things I enjoyed pre-op but I can drink lots of this thin stuff with no complaints!

Happy Mixing!

Freddie

 

I have 4 bottles: DaVinci Caramel and French Vanilla; and Gourmet Flavors Chocolate and Vanilla Macadamia Nut. I just got them last week (M'boro TJ Maxx) - have not even tried the caramel or v-m-nut. I tried to mix the choc. and FV in some coffee w/ splenda but it just wasn't the same as my Mapco specials I used to be able to whip up! I think it's just going to take some "tweeking"!  I did also pick up some Hershey's SF syrup, some Polaner SF Strawberry Preserves, and some Mrs. Butterworth's SF maple syrup (all for my kids). They can't tell the difference! Woo-hoo! (I got all those from Publix.) I also went out today and bought some different ingredients to make some SF blueberry muffins and a chocolate birthday cake for my husband this week. (I got these recipes off of splenda.com) I intend to add some protein powder to them... Will let you know how they turn out... I'll be interested to see other responses as well! ~ Tara

Hey Tara!

Vanilla Macadamia is one of my all time favorites!  For a delicious iced coffee...I strain the lumps out of  a carton of vanilla mice milk, add a couple of ounces of french vanilla creamer, a couple of ounces of vanilla macademia syrup and a couple of teaspoons instant decaf coffee (or instant espresso if it is in the morning.)  Mix it up and chill it.  Yummy!  This makes two servings/20 g. of protein each.  Yummy! You know...my daughter is giving up sugar at home, too.  And she is doing it willingly.  WOW! :)  Freddie

I have a questions…to add flavor (like banana, strawberry, wild cherry, cinnamon, etc) to protein shakes, coffees and stuff could you not just use extracts, like the ones you use for baking instead of sf syrups? Has anyone tried this.

You certainly can...but be cautious of the sugar content in extracts.  I know, for example the madegascar vanilla I use is simply vanilla pods soaked in bourbon.  I'm dump on even the slightest amount of real sugar so...I do better with the sugar free syrups.  Many also have a base of simple syrup (sugar water.)  I love them but unfortunately they do not love me.  But...everyone is different...maybe you can use them with no problem.  Happy Flavoring! Freddie

I occasionally will mix up a protein shake but for the most part I like regular food.  So I've never gotten into too many syrups.... I do use Almond Extract for flavoring sometimes ....works like a charm.  I've tried the Davinci Peanut Butter but I don't really care for it.  As for the protein drinks like Slimfast and such....I liked them before surgery but afterwards it was just too thick...now that I'm a few months out they are fine.   One thing I've found works really well in protein drinks is to chill a pot of coffee and the protein mixes well and it limits the calories and thinkness of the drink.   Half cup of chilled coffee (any flavor) Scoop of protein powder 4 splenda packets couple ounces of skim milk and a dab of Almond extract.....very good!  

Go figure!  I guess I am the only syrup junkie out there!  That's okay...more for me!

Big sugar free smile!

Freddie