Stevia

Has anyone tried the Stevia sweetner? Its about 300X sweeter then sugar (really!) and it has 0 calories but its a totally natural herbal product and it won't mess up your blood sugar levels like traditional sugar or articfial sweetener. Its sold as a supplement but its really a sweetner and its amazing! the tinniest drop fixes up my coffee very nice. I highly recomend it. Has anyone else tried?

Thu. Jun 5, 12:54pm

I really like it !

I use the powder form with my fiber One ceral. I think it is real good; much healthier than Splenda and all the other artifical sweetners.

Thursday, June 5, 2008, 2:22 PM

I was just at the store looking for it today! I couldn't find it so I just grabbed a bottle of Agave Nectar instead.

Thursday, June 5, 2008, 2:48 PM

Can you bake with Stevia? Or do you just use it as a sweetner for foods, drinks, etc?

Thursday, June 5, 2008, 4:17 PM

Stevia upsets my stomach

Thursday, June 5, 2008, 4:23 PM

I like stevia, I use the powder sometimes for my tea, when I want it sweet instead of plain. Its a little cloying if you use too much. You need to be careful, some brands have a bitter aftertaste.

I have not baked with it. I assume that with the white powder packets you probably can. But the deal with sugar and baking is this: sugar gives baked things texture. If you have ever tried baking with equal you can testify that the texture is a lot different. You would need to experiment with stevia to see if you can get that texture. You can duplicate the texture that you get with sugar with splenda instead. But I like stevia for my beverages, but I don't bake with any artificial sweeteners. You might try baking with a natural sugar, like barley malt, date sugar, fructose, agave nectar, or some other stuff. Sugar in the Raw and similar products, while very delicious are still just cane sugar, a little less processed. Its a little better for you, but not much. Or just use white sugar, make lower sugar recipes, and deal with smaller portions. Most recipes can use 1/3 less sugar than what the recipe states, and still get a really great baked thing.

Thursday, June 5, 2008, 9:39 PM

I use stevia with inulin

I use stevia with inulin. Inuliin is a chicory fiber- it boosts your fiber. I think 8 packets (like 8 cups of tea) equals one bowl of fiber cereal. I have baked with it with not much success. My advice for baking with it is to use half stevia, half something else- like agave nectar or splenda- and some applesauce. Frosting is okay- cream cheese frosting. I don't really like cream cheese frosting but you need something with substance. Something about cooking it makes it less sweet. I like carrot cake with it best, but definitely use applesauce and the other sweetener 2!
For me, its a real battle between stevia and splenda. I know from experience that stevia doesn't affect insulin, which is fantastic. When I eat splenda I release insulin and don't lose weight fast at all. Of course, I'm much less hungry when I eat splenda. Maybe I have a leaky gut and actually digest some of the splenda- maybe my testimony is personal. Anyway, I can attest to the wonderous weight loss powers of splenda and trust it's pretty universal.
I'd love to know of other stevia recipes, especially teas that taste good with it. I'm a chai fanatic, but I don't think stevia tastes as good as splenda in any of my chai blends.

Link

Saturday, June 7, 2008, 12:11 AM

oh... p.s. I've recently read testimonials stating that Planetary Formulas with FOS (inulin) is a far superior tasting stevia. I'm going to check it out this week, buying it from iherb.com

Saturday, June 7, 2008, 12:13 AM

join stevia sweeties!

Check out the new group Stevia Sweeties!

http://www.peertrainer.com/GroupDetails.aspx?GroupID=53201

No sweetener works better!

Link

Saturday, June 7, 2008, 1:59 AM

Here's a tip for anyone looking for stevia in the store. Because of FDA and sugar industry blocking it Stevia cannot be listed as a sweetener or food additive. It is sold as a "herbal supplement" and this is where you will find it in the store. Health food or natural food stores are good places to find it!

Saturday, June 7, 2008, 3:58 AM

Thanks 3:58 - I was certain Whole Foods had it, I just didn't have time for the search!

Saturday, June 7, 2008, 9:00 AM

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