Do you use stevia?

I have been using stevia for about 10 years and I like it. I use it in my smoothies and I get plain low or non fat yougurt add a packet and I have dessert. Or I sprinkle on certain fruits like strawberries.

I think it is much better than the other sweetners in the market because it is natural. Most of the others have been processed or have other chemicals added to them. I hope it helps!!

I've been using it for about 15 years and I love it. I use body ecology brand liquid (a few drops in tea/coffee/smoothies whatever) and carry it in my purse. If I don't have it, I don't use any sweetener. I swear by the stuff. I have never had any adverse reactions from using it. I've looked around to see if there are any studies warning against using stevia and have not found any. I believe they have been using this sweetener in Asia (specifically Japan) for some time without any problems.

ETA: I am not an expert on this subject but from what I can gather the only real trouble with artificial sweeteners might come because they can cause a blood sugar spike (because your body thinks it is getting sugar/food). So perhaps it is best to eat a little something when you use it (providing you are not using it in food already). This information was actually in reference to other artificial sweeteners (aspartame etc) not stevia but I imagine it also applies to stevia (even though it is an herb). Anyway after reading a bunch of articles on the subject (before I gave up splenda and other artificial sweeteners completely I researched them) I've been trying to follow this rule with stevia because it seems to make sense to me.

I use what I'm assuming is the UK equivalent- truvia:D I put it on my oatmeal when I have it. Sometimes my cereal too, depending on how I feel:P

I can't stand it. I know a lot of folks like it but to me it tastes super gross. I generally just use sweet N low.

But, as a side note, since sugar was kind of a vice for me, I focused my weight loss journey on learning how to go without sugar as opposed to just replacing it.

I advise against it...real sugar is better then fake.. Both are bad

I'd like to hear your argument on the matter. People say that all the time, but they don't actually know the reason they think it's bad.. Stevia is a herb, so natural right?

I don't like it, but that's just personal taste. All I add sweetener to is my smoothies, though. I prefer to use Sugar in the Raw or just honey.

If I am having something where I need just a little sweetening, I use real sugar. A teaspoonful has less than 20 calories. If I need more, I use Splenda (sucralose) or agave syrup. To me, Stevia has a terrible aftertaste.

Stevia vs. sucralose? They are both processed and it's a toss-up which is "healthier" although some people swear sucralose is poison in a yellow packet. :laugh:

I used to use it until I became pregnant and my doctor advised against it. I’ve been using splenda ever since.

That is very intriguing, I have heard Splenda is horrible (pure chemicals) so I switched to Stevia.

I tried Stevia but I didn't like it - I thought it had a wierd aftertaste. I use Splenda though. I used to dump sugar in my coffee/tea. After giving up coffee I still needed an alternative in my tea. I love that Splenda tastes just like sugar without all the calories.

I've tried the liquid stevia.
I don't like the taste and there is a VERY fine line between 'Not sweet' to 'OMG NOOOO' with it.

Honestly, I'd rather use the pink stuff lol

I used to use it until I became pregnant and my doctor advised against it. I’ve been using splenda ever since.

That is very intriguing, I have heard Splenda is horrible (pure chemicals) so I switched to Stevia.

FYI Splenda is made from sugar by changing the properties of a molecule.

i would do some studies about it first. there are a few studies saying it is a carcinogen, but it is just too new to the fda to know for sure.

I use Stevia, in small amounts, but I agree it has a bit of an aftertaste. I tried agave, but after reading some articles about how agave is bad (I'm not a dietician or expert, but the argument had something to do with the fact agave was pure fructose, instead of other types of natural sugars, and the body processed it differently), I've skipped agave. I'm also allergic to something in certain brands of tequila, and I notice a slight headache when I use agave; easier to skip it entirely, in my pantry.

I still prefer Splenda/sucralose when I need more sweet (two packets in my one daily cup of coffee :drinker: ); for everything else (cooking/baking), I reach for brown sugar. Of course, I'm someone who LOVES sugary carbs.

Just my $0.02

I used to use it until I became pregnant and my doctor advised against it. I’ve been using splenda ever since.

That is very intriguing, I have heard Splenda is horrible (pure chemicals) so I switched to Stevia.

The reasoning behind my doctor's advice came from the fact there was no long-term research on the affects of stevia on a fetus. It could be harmless but I wasn’t going to risk it.

The advantage of Stevia is that it is apparently more natural than most of the sweeteners (no aspartame or sucralose). I use it, but it's not as pleasant as Splenda (it has more of a saccharin taste). However the biggest benefit is that I am on a low carb diet and the particular Stevia that I buy is CARB FREE! (Note: some of the Stevia ones aren't carb free).