If your making a homemade stew or soup at home, and realise your sauce needs thickening, you might be wondering if you can use Xanthan gum in your meal, or does this stabiliser contain syns?
Xanthan gum is syn-free on the slimming world plan, making it a great staple to have in the cupboards for when you are baking or need to thicken sauces quickly.
In our short syn guide below, we will discuss in more detail why Xanthan gum is syn free as well as some syns of alternatives to Xanthan gum to use when cooking.
If you bake a lot at home or often make soups, you will be pleased to learn that Xanthan gum is syn-free on the slimming world plan. This thickener is syn free since it is a food additive which is created by sugar and fermented, therefore has no nutritional value.
Since this gum is syn free, you can use it in salad dressings to stop oil separation, baked goods to help with elasticity, and sauces to help them thicken during cooking, it's even found in ice cream and toothpaste!
If you are curious about the syns in other kinds of thickeners and stabilisers for making, we've listed some substitutes and alternatives to Xanthan gum below like chia seeds along with their syn values.
Overall, Xanthan gum is syn-free on the slimming world plan, making it a great ingredient to have in the cupboard for when you are baking and cooking, allowing you to thicken and strengthen dishes without adding extra calories.
In comparison to other thickeners like cornstarch or flour, this gum is a great choice due to its syn-free calorie content, if you are interested in how many syns other flours have, we have a great syn guide for flour here.
Syn values are calculated using a formula based on calories, saturated fat and sugar content per serving. They’re not the same as calories — a product can be low in calories but higher in syns if it’s high in sugar or fat. Always check the official Slimming World app for the most accurate and up-to-date syn values.
Yes. When manufacturers reformulate their products, the syn value can go up or down. This is why we recommend double-checking with the Slimming World app or your consultant, especially if a product’s packaging has changed recently.
Most Slimming World members work with 5 to 15 syns per day. Your consultant will advise on the right amount for you. The key is to use your syns on the things you enjoy most — whether that’s a chocolate bar, a glass of wine, or a packet of crisps.
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