I don't add stevia to anything because I'm not really one for finding "substitutes". I just got used to things not being sweet. There is stevia in the flavoured protein powder (but I always mix with 50/50 with unflavoured) that I use and also in the Now Vita Squenchers that I only have once in awhile.

If I did buy stevia, I would try to get it in a form that is minimally processed. Truvia is a Coca Cola product and I think Pepsi makes one similar. Generally, the occasional times that I use a sweetener it is raw honey, raw sugar, or maple syrup and usually half what the recipe calls for. I'd rather still have my coffee with just cream, a dab of honey on rare occasion (maybe once per month) then try to get used to it with stevia.

So, I do consume some stevia but not very much. I haven't noticed any problems. I would think, like anything, that eating a large amount might not be beneficial, but I don't know first-hand.

I do on occassion. Maybe I am wrong, but it was my understanding that Stevia is a natural sweetener. It is derived from a plant. There isn't anything artificial about it.

I don't but I think it tastes nasty...

If I want something a touch sweeter I use honey - if you go this way find local honey and pay the extra $$$ - so much better (of all the people my dentist is actually a beekeeper and jars his own honey so we buy it from him - I suspect that is a way to keep himself in business...selling his clients natural sugar )

If he knew you brought tons of his honey then he'll know why you need him as a dentist for you, at least he knows what went wrong with you. I do find this little funny but that's a smart move on his part.

While artificial sweeteners do not have calories, they DO still produce an insulin response - and minimizing that insulin response is one of the main reasons we avoid sugars and carbs in the first place. Don't use it, and learn to eat with the natural sweetness of foods and fruits.

As for the 'naturalness' of stevia:

- if you are using the leaf, then yeah, it's natural.
- if you are using stevia extract (leaf steeped in alcohol), then it's still pretty much natural.
- if you are buying a powdered stevia product from the store, it is a manufactured food - the active ingredient of stevia is isolated and extracted, and then mixed with fillers and anti-caking agents. Not natural in my eyes.

I don't but I think it tastes nasty...

^Agree with this. I tried it, I admit. But it was not good IMO.

I always thought the same thing about Stevia when it came to it's Paleo-ness, similar to what MonkeyDharma said. If it's in leaf form, I might use it but I don't know if growing it is worth the trouble since I'd hardly use it. I've gotten used to my unsweetened tea now, especially peppermint, kombucha, and green teas.

It is in my egg white protein powder. I don't think it has hindered weight loss.

Here's a recipe that stevia canada just posted on Facebook. Looks Primal friendly to me. I have yet to try it, but I think I will. I'll likely use Almond butter instead of the peanuts though.

1 stick butter
1oz unsweetened chocolate
1/2 tsp Stevia Max powder
1 TBSP heavy cream
4 TBSP peanut butter
chopped walnuts (optional)

Melt butter, chocolate and stevia in microwave. Stir in cream and peanut butter. Pour into 10 lined cupcake tins (or 6 large) and sprinkle with nuts. Freeze! Eat frozen for a great treat!

Stevia is not a sugar, it is an herb.

And it does not produce an insulin response.

Hope that helps.

Are you sure it doesn't produce an insulin response?

Stevia is not a sugar, it is an herb.

...and sugar beets are a root vegetable, and sugar cane is a grass. What does being an 'herb' have to do with anything?

Here's a recipe that stevia canada just posted on Facebook. Looks Primal friendly to me. I have yet to try it, but I think I will. I'll likely use Almond butter instead of the peanuts though.

1 stick butter
1oz unsweetened chocolate
1/2 tsp Stevia Max powder
1 TBSP heavy cream
4 TBSP peanut butter
chopped walnuts (optional)

Melt butter, chocolate and stevia in microwave. Stir in cream and peanut butter. Pour into 10 lined cupcake tins (or 6 large) and sprinkle with nuts. Freeze! Eat frozen for a great treat!

Peanuts are legumes. Not primal.