Stevia vs sugar

wdwghettogirl
wdwghettogirl Posts: 559 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I've never used Stevia before, but the website says it can be way sweeter than regular sugar so you can use less of it. If that's so, how do I adjust my measurements? Does anyone know? The website said 1 packet of Stevia = 2 tsp of sugar. But how much is in a "packet"? Just trying to get more info on this. Thanks!

Replies

  • chuckles217
    chuckles217 Posts: 123 Member
    I've never used it to bake but I used to use 2 packets of in the raw sugar in my coffee and had to cut back to 1 or less with stevia. I'd say it's atleast a 2:1 ratio.
  • wdwghettogirl
    wdwghettogirl Posts: 559 Member
    Does it come in any other packaging? Or is it all in the little packets, or liquid?
  • chuckles217
    chuckles217 Posts: 123 Member
    Ive seen it in coffee size packets and 1/2 lb box.
  • IndyInk
    IndyInk Posts: 212
    You can get the liquid kind in the natural food section of Kroger, or at any health food store.
  • ajbeans
    ajbeans Posts: 2,857 Member
    I bought Stevia In the Raw. It measures cup-for-cup the same as sugar. Easier for me to deal with.
  • Natihilator
    Natihilator Posts: 1,778 Member
    The stevia I bought is in little packets of 1 gram (which looks like it's 1/2 tsp) and the sweetness seems to me to be the same as a 1 tsp of sugar. I really can only use it to sweeten up my smoothies though, if I have it in tea or my oatmeal I can taste it, and it has sort of a weird metal taste. I'm trying to ween myself off wanting to sweeten things up
  • kappyd
    kappyd Posts: 199 Member
    mine came in a bigger bag and said that it was 1:1 as sugar. I used it to make jelly.
  • runnermel
    runnermel Posts: 278
    I bought Stevia In the Raw. It measures cup-for-cup the same as sugar. Easier for me to deal with.

    same here!! and you can buy it in packets as well
  • becoming_a_new_me
    becoming_a_new_me Posts: 1,860 Member
    When I bake I use a 1/4 ratio. If it calls for 1 cup, I use 1/4. I have had no problem with taste doing this way.
  • Pandorian
    Pandorian Posts: 2,055 Member
    it depends on what the bulking agent is in those cup for cup substitutions. I don't like 'em.

    But 1 tsp of stevia is supposed to replace 1 cup of sugar for cooking recipes etc. 1 drop of liquid per scoop of sugar for your coffee etc. Least that's what's on the label of the last commercial stevia powder I bought.
    I grow stevia in my garden and just add to taste... a leaf goes a long way ;)
  • junyr
    junyr Posts: 416 Member
    Stevia in high concentrations can have a "mint" effect in your mouth. You know how you chew mint gum or a breath mint how you get the chill feeling when you breath?
  • Picola1984
    Picola1984 Posts: 1,133
    Stevia leaf has finally landed in the UK

    There is a brand called Truvia which uses it, its not as cheap as I thought it would be

    Question: Is it a lot better for you than artificial sweetener? I hate the latter as it gives me mega headaches, but I want to make some recipes from here than need stevia, so I was hoping it wasn't as bad for you as artificial


    If that makes sense!
  • Pandorian
    Pandorian Posts: 2,055 Member
    Just because you asked about Truvia... this is ONE of the items out there about it.
    Like I said earlier "in the raw" etc have fillers that make it cup for cup.. up to you if you want to use the stuff with fillers or just plain ol stevia

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/180927-truvia-and-purevia-leave-it-on-the-grocery-store-shelf

    Also any recipe is just a guideline, if it calls for stevia but you only have sugar... well swap it... there's conversions online for what ratio you would use sugar to replace the stevia... applesauce is a straight cup for cup replacement for oil that works perfectly in my baking... I cut out added salt in recipes that have lots of sodium in other forms...
  • wildon883r
    wildon883r Posts: 429 Member
    Sugar only had 16 calories per teaspoon. Its cheap. I've had Stevia , Agave Nectar, etc etc... It use butter vs those chemical substitutes like margarine. Stevia actually in its form we buy in stores is really not sweeter then sugar and it takes alot of Agave to add a sweet taste to coffee. I garden so i may plant some Stevia for the novelty factor. Sugar isn't inherently evil like some want us to believe.
  • kayleen_longworth
    kayleen_longworth Posts: 147 Member
    I use the liquid version from health food store where a serving is 5 drops. Tiny bottle with 300 5-drop servings. Usually no more than 8 drops needed for anything. Used it in cereals, on cooked carrots (to "glaze", just a few drops, nothing else).
  • Picola1984
    Picola1984 Posts: 1,133
    Just because you asked about Truvia... this is ONE of the items out there about it.
    Like I said earlier "in the raw" etc have fillers that make it cup for cup.. up to you if you want to use the stuff with fillers or just plain ol stevia

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/180927-truvia-and-purevia-leave-it-on-the-grocery-store-shelf

    Also any recipe is just a guideline, if it calls for stevia but you only have sugar... well swap it... there's conversions online for what ratio you would use sugar to replace the stevia... applesauce is a straight cup for cup replacement for oil that works perfectly in my baking... I cut out added salt in recipes that have lots of sodium in other forms...

    Ah thank you!

    Saved me £5 for a small box of it!

    I'll stick to agave/honey and normal sugar
  • Pandorian
    Pandorian Posts: 2,055 Member
    If you can find Stevia itself give it a try. It's worth-while if you're using Agave and stuff anyway. I like stevia and growing it.
  • pdworkman
    pdworkman Posts: 1,342 Member
    I also use just the pure stevia liquid extract. I don't want a bunch of fillers. So I only use a few drops at a time.

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