BBQ with sugar alternatives

boston_stoker · June 2010

Hello,

My girlfriend cannot have added sugar in her food because of a digetive disorder. Unfortunately, fake sugars like sacchrin/sweet and low etc. are not an option either. I can't even use apple juice, but luckily fresh apple cider is ok.

When I cook ribs, I will make one rack without sugar. Has anyone tried using agave or honey (natural sugars like in these and fruit are ok) in their bbq? I used honey on a butt, and it was good, but the bark came out quite black.

Any suggestions for using honey or agave as part of the rub or in general? I was thinking of maybe just adding it late in the cook instead of in the beginning like I did with the butt.

I found a great recipe for homeade sauce, but I can't find much related to rubs etc.

Thanks again!

Carolina Q · June 2010

The bark is SUPPOSED to be black!

As for the honey idea, I don't know, but I'd give it a shot if you want. I do know that some Q joints in NC don't put anything on their shoulders/butts. Just meat and smoke.

Sorry for the dark pic, but everything in it is, umm, black!

boston_stoker · June 2010

I would tend to agree, however, this one came out much more black than the other two I have made with brown sugar. The only realy difference was the honey, which I basically added at the start like some do with mustard for their rub. It made quite a sticky mess to say the least, but the rub held real good.

The other difference was I had no drip pan this time.

EGGARY · June 2010

Would SPLENDA be an alternative ? How about corn syrup ? Maple syrup ? Another idea might be basalmic vinegar. It is somewhat sweet.

Here is another idea, take root beer and put it in a sauce pan and cook it down. You might need a bit of root beer but the flavor is intense. Can do that with Basalmic vinegar as well.

I hope this helps.

Celtic Wolf · June 2010

You can buy granulated honey. In that form it should act in the same manner as granulated sugar.

Celtic Wolf · June 2010

Is she can't have added sugar, she can't have Splenda. Sucralose is Sucrose that has been chemically modified.

All my sauces are made with Splenda and if I don't tell you, you won't know the difference.

EGGARY · June 2010

I just threw it out there.

Car Wash Mike · June 2010

Wrap a slab in the cider and honey meat side down. Do this like you would do the 3-1-1 for ribs.

Mike

boston_stoker · June 2010

Thanks for the many suggestions. Unfortunately, all the alternatives you have suggested don't pass her diet. The diet is quite a pain in the @ss, but at least she feels better. In case you are wondering, she was told to tryout the Simple Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) by her doctor.

Splenda, aka sucralose, is a sucrose-like molecule. Basically, they have added chlorine atoms to sucrose to make it indigestible by humans. However, since it is not digestible by us, it does not get absorbed and passes down the GI tract. It is digestible by bacteria. So in essence, if you consume sucralose, you are sending down an energy source to the bacteria you are trying to starve as a part of this diet.

Sucrose is also a problem because it is disaccharide (a sugar), and adding it goes beyond the sugar that naturally occurs in foods like fruits. Maple syrup is a disaccharide and often has more sugar added to it.

Corn syrup is out because she also can't have grains.

Root beer also is out because it usually contains added sugar and sometimes corn syrup.

Balsamic also has added sugar, although I do have a recipe to make our own that is ok for her. It is just a lot of work, but perhaps I will give that a try.

boston_stoker · June 2010

That's an interesting idea. Is that different from dehydrated honey? If so, do you know where they may sell it?

I thought dehydrated honey was going to do the trick, but it is made by adding Maltodextrin which also is considered bad for her diet.

boston_stoker · June 2010

Thanks for trying, I really appreciate it. I am always looking for ideas because of what a pain her diet can be at times.

boston_stoker · June 2010

Thanks Mike!

I will definitely give that a try.

Celtic Wolf · June 2010

They add Maltodextrin to keep whatever it is in pourable. Not use you are going to find anything sweet without it.

Personally you might consider doing what I do. My wife is an extremely picky eater. I cook for me and her..

boston_stoker · June 2010

That's good advice, that is more or less what I do now. She didn't used to be a picky eater, but now she has to be. :pinch:

Her diet is basically the meat, fruit, nuts, and non-starchy vegetable diet, along with homemade fully fermented yogurt and hard cheeses. We are limited at eating out now, which is why I got the egg. It allows us to make a lot of things that otherwise we couldn't get. I think it has really helped her adjust to all this because a lot of the things we egg,like chicken and steaks, we think are the best we have had. She absolutely loves Spatchcock Chicken, and she wants us to make pulled pork again soon too.

Thanks again for your suggestions, I feel bad for saying they don't fit her diet. It is a constant struggle.

I am sorry to hear about your cooks being put on hold, I think it is a great thing that you do. I was hoping to help you at the one for the 744th Army National Guard in NH. Let me know if you still plan to make it up there. My girlfriend started a 501c3 last year, but she had to put it on hold because of the economic crisis.

Celtic Wolf · June 2010

The cooks are still on and the 744th will be funded by the town itself.

My problem is the length of time to get the 501c3. Some people say 60 days,some say 6 months or more.. Unfortunately the troops can't wait and a whole lot of folks won't donate till I get it.

boston_stoker · June 2010

From her experience, you're best bet is hitting up corporations like defense contractors. But as I am sure you know until you get 501c3, they likely won't talk to you.

grillmandan · June 2010

As a type 2 diabetic, I have the same problem. I have found coconut water to be the cure for everything.
Several brands available at health food stores.... Vita Coco, My favorite, also O.N.E (owned by Pepsi) All available in many flavors and makes a good marinade.

boston_stoker · June 2010

That's an interesting idea. I was wondering if any diabetics might have some suggestions. I checked, and it appears that she can have coconut water. Do you have a recipe for a marinade that you recommend?

Thanks!

BBQ with sugar alternatives

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