Sweetener help

nscal
nscal Posts: 72 Member
edited December 3 in Social Groups
I need some help with sweeteners. I've tried to go without in my coffee and LC cooking, but I just can't handle my coffee without something sweet. Do any of you use a sweetener or something else? I've noticed that my weight is not coming off and my clothes are not any looser. I've tried Stevia, Xylitol, Splenda and actually like Splenda the best. But when I read on this board that it can actually keep me from loosing...I was like...oh well there it is! Any suggestions would be a great!
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Replies

  • Sarahb29
    Sarahb29 Posts: 952 Member
    edited August 2016
    I'm here to listen to the answers as well. I use the Torani sugar free syrups in my coffee which are sweetened with splenda. I have Hazelnut and Vanilla. I love them!

    Holy crap they have almond, lemon and lime flavors. This could chang emy world.. I had no idea!! http://shop.torani.com/Sugar-Free-Syrups/c/Torani@SugarFreeSyrups
  • bametels
    bametels Posts: 950 Member
    Did you try different types and brands of stevia? I tried the powdered and thought it was awful. But, I love flavored liquid stevia. So far, I've tried vanilla and dark chocolate. Yum!
  • Sunny_Bunny_
    Sunny_Bunny_ Posts: 7,140 Member
    Whichever you choose, the liquid forms will be your best option because the powdered ones do actually have carbs due to being cut with bulking agents.
    I used to feel like I HAD to sweeten my coffee too and was using DaVinci syrups. But I kept finding that I would start using 1 pump per cup and 2 weeks later I felt like I needed 2 and then I was up to 3... my sweet taste sensitivity just kept making me feel like I needed more and more to achieve the same level of sweetness. When it would happen, I noticed that I also wanted to have sweet treats much more often too.
    Eventually I got down to half a pump and one morning after tasting my coffee I was thinking, "hmmmm this could really use a little bit more". I caught myself in the moment where I would normally begin that climb back up and stopped using the sweeteners completely after that cup.
    The next morning, I hated my coffee! So I decided to explore different coffees and found that every single grocery store bought coffee I tried tasted aweful!
    I found 2 nearby roasters and tried some of theirs and even though a little sweet might make the coffee even tastier, it was good without it. In a pinch one day, I bought some of Starbucks single origin coffee from Starbucks, not from the grocery store, and I found it to be pretty good too.
    So for me, the problem was that the sweet flavor, created more cravings for sweet flavors and reduced my sensitivity to the taste.
  • nscal
    nscal Posts: 72 Member
    I tried the powdered stevia as well and oh my lord it was just awful! I wasted money on that! I have also tried the liquid of stevia and didn't like it either. It just has a bad aftertaste to me. Then I bought a bag of Xylitol and it wasn't too great either. Therefore I keep going back to Splenda, but the scale isn't moving and neither are my clothes.
  • RalfLott
    RalfLott Posts: 5,036 Member
    Right, avoid the powdered sweetener mixtures, if you don't want useless carbs.

    I've been around the block a few times with sweeteners. After having read about artificial sweeteners messing with your gut microbes the critical number of times for it to penetrate my consciousness (god knows how many that is...), I decided to give stevia a try.

    The liquid (green bottle) stevia you can get in grocery stores is cut with Erythritol, which, unlike Xylitol (in my case), does not produce 4th of July quality bathroom fireworks if you overdo it. I also have a supply of pure ground stevia, which works well but is not as convenient when traveling.

    Amazon has a 15% coupon off for SweetLeaf stevia products. The chocolate one is supposed to be yummy, and you get an additional discount if you order Subscribe & Save (you can cancel future deliveries, but you still get the discount on the first one).
  • bametels
    bametels Posts: 950 Member
    nscal wrote: »
    I tried the powdered stevia as well and oh my lord it was just awful! I wasted money on that! I have also tried the liquid of stevia and didn't like it either. It just has a bad aftertaste to me. Then I bought a bag of Xylitol and it wasn't too great either. Therefore I keep going back to Splenda, but the scale isn't moving and neither are my clothes.

    Liquid stevia may just not work for you. I did find, however, that it took time to figure out the 'right' amount to use. And, the right amount varied depending on what I'm putting it in. Just a hair too much and it is terribly bitter. I had to play around with it to determine, pun intended, my sweet spot!

  • Phrick
    Phrick Posts: 2,765 Member
    I thought I hated stevia until I tried Sweet Leaf. I'd tried two or three different liquids, and the crazy super concentrated powder too and it was always just so bitter. But the Sweet Leaf is different (dunno how, but it is). So that might be worth a shot, especially with the coupon code above.
  • RowdysLady
    RowdysLady Posts: 1,370 Member
    I hated coffee when I decided to try BPC and the first cup had 1/4 HWC and about ten packets of Stevia. I slowly weaned myself down packet by packet and ounce by ounce and now I only drink it with the coconut and butter. I hated liquid chocolate Stevia by the way. Maybe you could try weaning yourself?
  • nscal
    nscal Posts: 72 Member
    RalfLott wrote: »
    Right, avoid the powdered sweetener mixtures, if you don't want useless carbs.

    I've been around the block a few times with sweeteners. After having read about artificial sweeteners messing with your gut microbes the critical number of times for it to penetrate my consciousness (god knows how many that is...), I decided to give stevia a try.

    The liquid (green bottle) stevia you can get in grocery stores is cut with Erythritol, which, unlike Xylitol (in my case), does not produce 4th of July quality bathroom fireworks if you overdo it. I also have a supply of pure ground stevia, which works well but is not as convenient when traveling.

    Amazon has a 15% coupon off for SweetLeaf stevia products. The chocolate one is supposed to be yummy, and you get an additional discount if you order Subscribe & Save (you can cancel future deliveries, but you still get the discount on the first one).

    I will def have to try the sweetleaf and give it a whirl! And have to tell ya the comment about 4th of July bathroom fireworks had me rolling! But I do understand where you are coming from!
  • CeliaSea
    CeliaSea Posts: 51 Member
    I've used the liquid drops, but find them too sweet for coffee. I either drink it with just cream or make BPC (which I find really delicious), but going without sweetener definitely took some getting used to. My mom adds cinnamon to the grounds before brewing and the taste is really lovely. You might want to give that a try.
  • KnitOrMiss
    KnitOrMiss Posts: 10,103 Member
    @nscal - if you're getting an aftertaste from stevia, you're using way too much. It turns over from good taste to awful in a matter of a drop. Also, work on sweetening only to tolerance, not to taste. The lowest level of sweetener that makes your drink TOLERABLE and doesn't leave you immediately thinking, "That was fabulous, I immediately want MORE/another."
  • RalfLott
    RalfLott Posts: 5,036 Member
    nscal wrote: »
    RalfLott wrote: »
    And have to tell ya the comment about 4th of July bathroom fireworks had me rolling! But I do understand where you are coming from!

    I was rolling, too. Mostly on the inside.....
  • RalfLott
    RalfLott Posts: 5,036 Member
    CeliaSea wrote: »
    I've used the liquid drops, but find them too sweet for coffee. I either drink it with just cream or make BPC (which I find really delicious), but going without sweetener definitely took some getting used to. My mom adds cinnamon to the grounds before brewing and the taste is really lovely. You might want to give that a try.

    Yeah, the stevia mixtures can be too sweet, especially the squeeze bottles that make it hard to get just one droplet. I'm thinking maybe I'll transfer the SweetLeaf into a bigger bottle and cut it with vodka or, now that you mention it, maybe a little cinnamon oil, too.
  • KnitOrMiss
    KnitOrMiss Posts: 10,103 Member
    I can easily get an exact drop out of my sweetleaf dropper. It is a squeeze dropper/glass bottle, not a squeeze bottle. I hate those things.
  • Sunny_Bunny_
    Sunny_Bunny_ Posts: 7,140 Member
    CeliaSea wrote: »
    I've used the liquid drops, but find them too sweet for coffee. I either drink it with just cream or make BPC (which I find really delicious), but going without sweetener definitely took some getting used to. My mom adds cinnamon to the grounds before brewing and the taste is really lovely. You might want to give that a try.

    I was literally just thinking about doing this today! I wondered if the cinnamon gets all weird like it does when you just add it to a cup of coffee.
    It seems like it just floats and gets all cakey in the cup. Ewwwww
  • RalfLott
    RalfLott Posts: 5,036 Member
    edited August 2016
    CeliaSea wrote: »
    I've used the liquid drops, but find them too sweet for coffee. I either drink it with just cream or make BPC (which I find really delicious), but going without sweetener definitely took some getting used to. My mom adds cinnamon to the grounds before brewing and the taste is really lovely. You might want to give that a try.

    I was literally just thinking about doing this today! I wondered if the cinnamon gets all weird like it does when you just add it to a cup of coffee.
    It seems like it just floats and gets all cakey in the cup. Ewwwww
    CeliaSea wrote: »
    I've used the liquid drops, but find them too sweet for coffee. I either drink it with just cream or make BPC (which I find really delicious), but going without sweetener definitely took some getting used to. My mom adds cinnamon to the grounds before brewing and the taste is really lovely. You might want to give that a try.

    I was literally just thinking about doing this today! I wondered if the cinnamon gets all weird like it does when you just add it to a cup of coffee.
    It seems like it just floats and gets all cakey in the cup. Ewwwww

    Nope, I can attest that if you mix it with coffee, it won't get icky in your cup (at least not in an espresso maker). But to my taste, cinnamon without sweetener doesn't quite do the trick....
  • Aquawave
    Aquawave Posts: 260 Member
    edited August 2016
    nscal wrote: »
    I need some help with sweeteners. I've tried to go without in my coffee and LC cooking, but I just can't handle my coffee without something sweet. Do any of you use a sweetener or something else? I've noticed that my weight is not coming off and my clothes are not any looser. I've tried Stevia, Xylitol, Splenda and actually like Splenda the best. But when I read on this board that it can actually keep me from loosing...I was like...oh well there it is! Any suggestions would be a great!

    I use two tablespoons of heavy whipping cream and a small amount of vanilla extract. No added sweeteners. It tastes sweet to me. I use Jamaican Blue Mtn coffee blend from Costco, not bitter.
  • nscal
    nscal Posts: 72 Member
    Aquawave wrote: »
    nscal wrote: »
    I need some help with sweeteners. I've tried to go without in my coffee and LC cooking, but I just can't handle my coffee without something sweet. Do any of you use a sweetener or something else? I've noticed that my weight is not coming off and my clothes are not any looser. I've tried Stevia, Xylitol, Splenda and actually like Splenda the best. But when I read on this board that it can actually keep me from loosing...I was like...oh well there it is! Any suggestions would be a great!

    I use two tablespoons of heavy whipping cream and a small amount of vanilla extract. No added sweeteners. It tastes sweet to me. I use Jamaican Blue Mtn coffee blend from Costco, not bitter.

    I'll have to give that a try!
  • KnitOrMiss
    KnitOrMiss Posts: 10,103 Member
    CeliaSea wrote: »
    I've used the liquid drops, but find them too sweet for coffee. I either drink it with just cream or make BPC (which I find really delicious), but going without sweetener definitely took some getting used to. My mom adds cinnamon to the grounds before brewing and the taste is really lovely. You might want to give that a try.

    I was literally just thinking about doing this today! I wondered if the cinnamon gets all weird like it does when you just add it to a cup of coffee.
    It seems like it just floats and gets all cakey in the cup. Ewwwww

    I was told that you need to put the cinnamon in with the grounds...because it does not suspend well unless you drink super quickly. Cayenne is similar...it floats, then sinks. That last "chug" of fatty coffee sometimes burns my tailgeathers!

    @Aquawave - be sure to check your vanilla. Most are sweetened, even when not listed on the label.
  • kpk54
    kpk54 Posts: 4,474 Member
    Cinnamon. Yep. Put it on or in the grounds then let the coffee pot do the magic. No funky "cinnamony" stuff on the bottom of your cup, clinging to the sides of the cup or floating on the top. Just flavor.
  • Sunny_Bunny_
    Sunny_Bunny_ Posts: 7,140 Member
    I'm definitely trying it tomorrow! I like the flavor but it messes up the texture.
  • dmariet116
    dmariet116 Posts: 530 Member
    I just use the Torani if I want a sweet taste. Mostly I just do the BPC without sweetener. If I use it, it's mainly with my sometimes afternoon iced coffee with HWC
  • Aquawave
    Aquawave Posts: 260 Member
    edited August 2016
    Just checked. Kirkland, Costco Pure Vanilla. No sugar is added.
  • kpk54
    kpk54 Posts: 4,474 Member
    edited August 2016
    nscal wrote: »
    I need some help with sweeteners. I've tried to go without in my coffee and LC cooking, but I just can't handle my coffee without something sweet. Do any of you use a sweetener or something else? I've noticed that my weight is not coming off and my clothes are not any looser. I've tried Stevia, Xylitol, Splenda and actually like Splenda the best. But when I read on this board that it can actually keep me from loosing...I was like...oh well there it is! Any suggestions would be a great!

    I've used Splenda for years. I used it during weight loss and don't think it had a negative impact. I was satisfied with my average weekly loss.

    Today my choice of sweetener is Liquid Stevia or whatever is available, wherever I happen to be. I generally purchase liquid stevia at Trader Joe's. The price is better than most places. I don't have a very fussy palate which is probably one of the reason I became overweight.
  • KarlaYP
    KarlaYP Posts: 4,436 Member
    Cutting out sweeteners has been a huge benefit for me. It's different at first, just as it is to develop the taste for anything that is different than what you're accustomed to. The first time I drank diet coke, years ago, I didn't care for it but I acquired the taste (stopped them about 15 years ago, and so glad I did as I don't believe there is any benefit in drinking them!)! One can get used to anything with the determination to do so! Good luck!
  • bametels
    bametels Posts: 950 Member
    edited August 2016
    @kpk54 [/quote] Today my choice of sweetener is Liquid Stevia or whatever is available, wherever I happen to be. I generally purchase liquid stevia at Trader Joe's. The price is better than most places. [/quote]

    Never thought to look for it at Trader Joe's! I'll have to hunt it down next time I go there. I've been buying my online.

  • kpk54
    kpk54 Posts: 4,474 Member
    edited August 2016
    @bametels It's in the aisle with the baking stuff. If you're walking from the back of the store to the front it's on the right hand side and on the very bottom shelf. Very easy to miss because it is so small. 2 ounce bottle. Their coconut oil is a good price too if you use that.
  • bametels
    bametels Posts: 950 Member
    kpk54 wrote: »
    @bametels It's in the aisle with the baking stuff. If you're walking from the back of the store to the front it's on the right hand side and on the very bottom shelf. Very easy to miss because it is so small. 2 ounce bottle. Their coconut oil is a good price too if you use that.

    I've been buying coconut oil online, too. Thanks for the tip and detailed location info!
  • c2111
    c2111 Posts: 693 Member
    I love natvia brand stevia I'm in Oz don't know if you can get it where you are, but I don't get any weird after taste, and works with baking too.
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