Sugar alternatives?
CommanderEmily
Posts: 68 Member
So I am pretty okay cutting added sugar from my diet and I try to steer towards foods low on the glycemic index and etc. I just have one problem. Coffee. I need my coffee, tried giving it up and it wasn't worth the trouble, not to mention I just love it. I'm struggling with what to do when I want that sweet coffee, though. I can't use splenda/equal/sweetnlow. They agitate my migraine issues. I do well with stevia but it tastes AWFUL in coffee. It's my favorite for tea, but I can't stand the taste in coffee. Any ideas? I ordinarily use coffeemate creamers or occasionally get an espresso beverage at a cafe.
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How much are you having...if you're not drinking it all day long, I really wouldn't personally worry about it. I take my coffee black most of the time...sometimes with just a little splash of milk...half and half when I'm feeling saucy...1
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I've gotten used to having coffee with only the sweetness of milk! But, I really enjoy the Torani or other flavorings on occasion. They have plenty of sugar free options which taste just as yummy!
https://www.amazon.com/Torani-Sugar-Syrup-Variety-Ounce/dp/B003PFUNU4/ref=sr_1_2_s_it?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1484968164&sr=1-2&keywords=torani+sugar+free+syrup0 -
I got used to drinking my coffee with a little creamer and for me its a mix up between the torani sugar free and not sugar free flavorings. they sell them in most stores too(our walmart and krogers sell them,but they have better selections online).I dont add any sweetener or sugar to my coffee(Im aware there is some in the creamer/the non sugar free flavoring).But the sugar free ones of the torani have splenda and some have splenda and acesulfame potassium so it will pay to read the labels.1
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I like International Delight chocolate caramel. I used to use horrible amounts and once I started counting calories I cut myself down to 1 large cup of coffee and have 45-50ml of creamer, no more than that and make it fit in my calories for the day. It took a little adjustment to drink coffee that actually tasted like coffee and not hot chocolate. I guess I am a grownup, kinda.1
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I use a couple of drops of liquid stevia. Too much gives an odd aftertaste but 1-3 drops seems right for a big cup of coffee.1
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I like pure stevia extracts, like Sweetleaf and BetterStevia. I agree that the ones with fillers, like Truvia, taste awful. If you want to try an alternative to stevia, have you looked into sugar alcohols? They aren't absorbed well by the small intestine, so they have significantly fewer calories than sugar. Xylitol and erythritol are both widely available nowadays and taste pretty good!2
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Strawblackcat wrote: »I like pure stevia extracts, like Sweetleaf and BetterStevia. I agree that the ones with fillers, like Truvia, taste awful. If you want to try an alternative to stevia, have you looked into sugar alcohols? They aren't absorbed well by the small intestine, so they have significantly fewer calories than sugar. Xylitol and erythritol are both widely available nowadays and taste pretty good!
I didn't realize that Truvia had anything in it that would give an aftertaste, I might have to give a different brand a try and see if that changes how I feel about it. And I haven't yet, but I think I will try to find those about and see if it helps. I've heard those mentioned in keto recipes but never got around to trying it.
I like stevia in a lot of things but I just haven't been able to get past it in coffee
. Though if it's because of fillers that could change the game. Thank you for the tips! 0 -
I love Torani as a brand. I used to be a barista and it made for great beverages. But I can't have the sugar free versions because it makes my migraines worse. My dilemma would be much aided if I could just buy ordinary sugar free products. It took a lot of trial and error before I figured out that artificial sweeteners were one of my triggers. I don't know what it is about them. Sometimes I can manage a yogurt that has some in it, but that varies brand to brand and how much I eat. It's not even marked on things like yogurt, it's just in there. I've had the displeasure of eating something and then getting a wicked migraine. I try to figure out if something brought it on, and start reading labels. So many foods use them and don't advertise it. Like dried cranberries. It says "No added sugar". What it doesn't say is "sweetened with artificial sweeteners" or just slap a "sugar free" label on it. So I assumed I was buying ordinary cranberries, when actually I bought deceptive migraine berries . 0
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STEVIA
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CommanderEmily wrote: »Strawblackcat wrote: »I like pure stevia extracts, like Sweetleaf and BetterStevia. I agree that the ones with fillers, like Truvia, taste awful. If you want to try an alternative to stevia, have you looked into sugar alcohols? They aren't absorbed well by the small intestine, so they have significantly fewer calories than sugar. Xylitol and erythritol are both widely available nowadays and taste pretty good!
I didn't realize that Truvia had anything in it that would give an aftertaste, I might have to give a different brand a try and see if that changes how I feel about it. And I haven't yet, but I think I will try to find those about and see if it helps. I've heard those mentioned in keto recipes but never got around to trying it.
I like stevia in a lot of things but I just haven't been able to get past it in coffee. Though if it's because of fillers that could change the game. Thank you for the tips!
Truvia adds maltodexrin (I'm pretty sure that that's the filler they use, otherwise it's probably some form of dextrose or starch). All the brands taste different, depending on the process they use to extract the stevia and the fillers they use to make the packets measure like sugar. As a general rule, the liquid extracgs and the ultra-concentrated powders have fewer additives. Really, though, NOW's BetterStevia is my favorite, even though it's expensive. I use maybe 1\16 of a teaspoon to sweeten a 12 oz cup of coffee.1 -
cwolfman13 wrote: »How much are you having...if you're not drinking it all day long, I really wouldn't personally worry about it. I take my coffee black most of the time...sometimes with just a little splash of milk...half and half when I'm feeling saucy...
I have been considering this. Most days I just do a cup or two with maybe a couple tablespoons in each. I make my coffee last a bit most days, but if I am off work I find myself getting an extra cup or two. I'm trying to cut as much sugar as I can from my diet and many times I'm happy with black coffee, especially iced. But my first cup of the day has to be hot and sweet or I feel less than human. I apparently have RBF issues as it is. Chuck in a lack of my miracle wakeup potion and I come off as a cranky b-word even when I'm being nice. I can't function before noon without it. I went a month or so on plain unsweetened Chai tea in my effort to cut back on actual coffee and sugar, and there was an intervention to convince me I needed coffee lol.0 -
Strawblackcat wrote: »CommanderEmily wrote: »Strawblackcat wrote: »I like pure stevia extracts, like Sweetleaf and BetterStevia. I agree that the ones with fillers, like Truvia, taste awful. If you want to try an alternative to stevia, have you looked into sugar alcohols? They aren't absorbed well by the small intestine, so they have significantly fewer calories than sugar. Xylitol and erythritol are both widely available nowadays and taste pretty good!
I didn't realize that Truvia had anything in it that would give an aftertaste, I might have to give a different brand a try and see if that changes how I feel about it. And I haven't yet, but I think I will try to find those about and see if it helps. I've heard those mentioned in keto recipes but never got around to trying it.
I like stevia in a lot of things but I just haven't been able to get past it in coffee. Though if it's because of fillers that could change the game. Thank you for the tips!
Truvia adds maltodexrin (I'm pretty sure that that's the filler they use, otherwise it's probably some form of dextrose or starch). All the brands taste different, depending on the process they use to extract the stevia and the fillers they use to make the packets measure like sugar. As a general rule, the liquid extracgs and the ultra-concentrated powders have fewer additives. Really, though, NOW's BetterStevia is my favorite, even though it's expensive. I use maybe 1\16 of a teaspoon to sweeten a 12 oz cup of coffee.
I will hunt that up. I don't mind paying extra if it means I have a nice cup of coffee that I can feel guilt free about! Thank you so much for the information, I didn't know that.0 -
Have you tried the flavored Stevia blends like the sweet creme vanilla one? I don't like Stevia either, but I found that one tolerable.
https://amazon.com/SweetLeaf-Liquid-Stevia-Sweetener-Vanilla/dp/B000E8WIAS?th=1
I didn't need to order this from Amazon, my local Whole Foods carries it.1 -
Stevia is not the best. I have tried many and I try to stay on the natural side. I swear by SWERVE brand sweetener it is erythritol. It's a little pricey but no after taste I buy the granules and grind them up if I need powdered sugarbut you can buy powdered form also good luck. You will not miss your sugar with this I am sure! Let me know what u think if u try1
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I adjusted quickly to a little Stevia in my coffee. Okay, this will probably sound weird - but I love some of the tasty creamers but don't like the extra calories. Soooo... I started mixing flavored protein powder into my morning cup of coffee. This gives me an additional 20g of protein each day for the same calories I was previously using for creamer. Win/win for me - but definitely not for everyone. Lol. I'm currently using mocha cappuccino flavor but have used chocolate, etc. Does it taste just like Starbucks fancy smancy?! Of course not - but I don't mind, my goals take precedence.2
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Stevia is not the best. I have tried many and I try to stay on the natural side. I swear by SWERVE brand sweetener it is erythritol. It's a little pricey but no after taste I buy the granules and grind them up if I need powdered sugarbut you can buy powdered form also good luck. You will not miss your sugar with this I am sure! Let me know what u think if u try
Thanks! I've never tried swerve, so I'll give that a shot. I don't have a big sweet tooth, it's mostly just my coffee, so I don't mind if I have to spend a bit more since I don't go through things like that very fast. I've got someone else on a sugar free life style in my house who isn't as picky so anything I don't like I'll give to her lol. Thank you
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I adjusted quickly to a little Stevia in my coffee. Okay, this will probably sound weird - but I love some of the tasty creamers but don't like the extra calories. Soooo... I started mixing flavored protein powder into my morning cup of coffee. This gives me an additional 20g of protein each day for the same calories I was previously using for creamer. Win/win for me - but definitely not for everyone. Lol. I'm currently using mocha cappuccino flavor but have used chocolate, etc. Does it taste just like Starbucks fancy smancy?! Of course not - but I don't mind, my goals take precedence.
I've never thought of trying that, that is an awesome idea! What brand do you use? I used to use vanilla protein powder in my breakfast smoothie a long time ago. I'd take milk, a banana, and peanut butter and blend it with a scoop of vanilla or chocolate protein powder.
That is a cool idea I'll try it.0 -
If you don't like stevia this may not fly, but you might try looking into monkfruit sweetener. It's a plant extract like stevia but it definitely tastes a little different to me. Agree with the others about going for the pure extract as opposed to the powdered stuff. Best of luck - and I love the torani too 1
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CommanderEmily wrote: »Stevia is not the best. I have tried many and I try to stay on the natural side. I swear by SWERVE brand sweetener it is erythritol. It's a little pricey but no after taste I buy the granules and grind them up if I need powdered sugarbut you can buy powdered form also good luck. You will not miss your sugar with this I am sure! Let me know what u think if u try
Thanks! I've never tried swerve, so I'll give that a shot. I don't have a big sweet tooth, it's mostly just my coffee, so I don't mind if I have to spend a bit more since I don't go through things like that very fast. I've got someone else on a sugar free life style in my house who isn't as picky so anything I don't like I'll give to her lol. Thank you
I tried Swerve and didn't like it. I has this weird cooling effect in your mouth. Kind of like mint without the mintiness.0 -
they also have a domino sugar blend which is half sugar and half stevia I think it is. one small packet is enough to sweeten a coffee, I used to use that too for my coffee then cut down on it, and then cut it out.maybe try that? its still some sugar but its only like I think 5 calories a packet? they also have coconut sugar,agave(I think agave is gross),and some others. xylitol is another one. not sure if that would trigger a migraine or not. there are so many kinds and brands out there its hard to choose sometimes0
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CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »they also have a domino sugar blend which is half sugar and half stevia I think it is. one small packet is enough to sweeten a coffee, I used to use that too for my coffee then cut down on it, and then cut it out.maybe try that? its still some sugar but its only like I think 5 calories a packet? they also have coconut sugar,agave(I think agave is gross),and some others. xylitol is another one. not sure if that would trigger a migraine or not. there are so many kinds and brands out there its hard to choose sometimes
This stuff tastes like actual sugar to me and is only 5 calories each. I've actually been having trouble finding it in the stores lately.
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lulalacroix wrote: »CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »they also have a domino sugar blend which is half sugar and half stevia I think it is. one small packet is enough to sweeten a coffee, I used to use that too for my coffee then cut down on it, and then cut it out.maybe try that? its still some sugar but its only like I think 5 calories a packet? they also have coconut sugar,agave(I think agave is gross),and some others. xylitol is another one. not sure if that would trigger a migraine or not. there are so many kinds and brands out there its hard to choose sometimes
This stuff tastes like actual sugar to me and is only 5 calories each. I've actually been having trouble finding it in the stores lately.
maybe they have it on amazon? they also have something called zing that is a blend and its pretty good too. I received a sample awhile back.
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they are out on amazon,says currently unavailable,they discontinued it,its now called Zing0
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cwolfman13 wrote: »How much are you having...if you're not drinking it all day long, I really wouldn't personally worry about it. I take my coffee black most of the time...sometimes with just a little splash of milk...half and half when I'm feeling saucy...
This.
It's totally unnecessary to feel guilty for having a spoonful of sugar in your coffee.
I'm sick of the current hysteria over sugar.3 -
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CommanderEmily wrote: »I adjusted quickly to a little Stevia in my coffee. Okay, this will probably sound weird - but I love some of the tasty creamers but don't like the extra calories. Soooo... I started mixing flavored protein powder into my morning cup of coffee. This gives me an additional 20g of protein each day for the same calories I was previously using for creamer. Win/win for me - but definitely not for everyone. Lol. I'm currently using mocha cappuccino flavor but have used chocolate, etc. Does it taste just like Starbucks fancy smancy?! Of course not - but I don't mind, my goals take precedence.
I've never thought of trying that, that is an awesome idea! What brand do you use? I used to use vanilla protein powder in my breakfast smoothie a long time ago. I'd take milk, a banana, and peanut butter and blend it with a scoop of vanilla or chocolate protein powder.
That is a cool idea I'll try it.
I'm currently using Universal Nutrition Ultra Whey Pro (mocha cappuccino), as I got a good deal on 5lbs. I've also tried chocolate and vanilla for creamer alternatives. Some people might have a hard time adjusting but it works for me. I should mention that I'm not tied to a particular brand of protein powder and generally buy whatever is on sale when it's time to repurchase. Good luck in your search!1
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