Is THIS better than THAT?

Storm_Wolf
Storm_Wolf Posts: 24
in Health and Weight Loss
Sort of like an eat this not that thread! I see lots of posts on substitutions for something unhealthy so I figured if this gets popular enough maybe it will be like a sticky?

So....ask questions and hopefully other members will have some advice on taste, texture, and etc. on substitute foods.

Fore example: If some one were to ask "What's a good substitute for Pasta noodles?" I would reply with say "Shirataki noodles" and then go on to explain

They are low in calories and have virtually no flavor, tho when I had them they had an odd rubbery crunch, It really didn't bother me at all.

So....my first question for anyone who knows...

With so many different artificial sweeteners out there.....coupled with the myth/fact about aspartame (causing cancer and such) what do you use? Has anyone tried Stevia? is it very similar to sugar?

Replies

  • lovefaithfriendship
    lovefaithfriendship Posts: 1
    stevia is awesome. its flavour is nearly the same with sugar and has ZERO calories. So i vote for stevia!
  • summer8it
    summer8it Posts: 433 Member
    Stevia is my no-calorie sweetener of choice, but I wouldn't say it's very similar to sugar. The kind I use (Stevia in the Raw, in little packets) is a fine powder that dissolves more easily than sugar. It's very sweet but has a slightly bitter aftertaste, but then again most no-calorie sweeteners do!

    I really like Vitamin Water Zero, which is stevia-sweetened, and I wish there were more stevia-sweetened diet drinks on the market.
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    Truvia is close to sugar. Regular stevia extract sold at health food store is generally closer to powdered sugar and very difficult to bake with. Also, the powdered stevia doesn't dissolve well in cold drinks.
  • Tilran
    Tilran Posts: 627 Member
    I prefer Wendy's quarter-pounder to a flame broiled Whopper.
  • capt_nat
    capt_nat Posts: 18
    I don't know whether this is what you're after but I've started going for jacket potatoes rather than rice or pasta
  • MyM0wM0w
    MyM0wM0w Posts: 2,008 Member
    Not the same texture but an enjoyable flavor... spaghetti squash instead of pasta.
  • amberaz
    amberaz Posts: 328 Member
    Salad instead of sandwich for lunch. Lower carbs and calories and extra veggies.
  • robmcd88
    robmcd88 Posts: 85 Member
    I prefer Wendy's quarter-pounder to a flame broiled Whopper.

    That Hardee’s burger with the pulled pork on it is pretty darn good too.
  • StrongAtLast
    StrongAtLast Posts: 137 Member
    I use Stevia, but it does have a weird aftertaste. You have to make sure not to use too much. Too much=more aftertaste...
    And different brands taste different. I've tried a few different brands. I found that I like the Trader Joe's version of it. I can't stand Truvia. I would rather go w/o sweetener if I had to use that.:-)
  • jfrog123
    jfrog123 Posts: 432 Member
    Anybody have an opinion of the monk fruit extract sweetener that is popping up on regular grocery store shelves? It is called Nectresse and the packets are orange...
  • gigiangelique
    gigiangelique Posts: 233 Member
    spaghetti squash rather than spaghetti noodles . only 45 CAL per cup rather than 200. high in fiber low in carbs!!!
  • MrsSWW
    MrsSWW Posts: 1,585 Member
    Meh, I'll stick to my honey and regular sugar... personally I'd rather eat the real thing but learn to adjust my portions. Now, who mentioned burgers...?:drinker:
  • katiefridley
    katiefridley Posts: 151 Member
    I use a brand called Ideal for my sweetener. Dissolves much better than sugar and it naturally plant based. However, I am not sure it is sold everywhere yet. Anyone else tried it?
  • SideSteel
    SideSteel Posts: 11,068 Member
    I will occasionally use splenda when making protein ice cream. I drink diet soda containing aspartame.

    I don't believe that I am anywhere even close to a dosage level at which bad things occur so I'm not even remotely concerned about it.
  • MrsSWW
    MrsSWW Posts: 1,585 Member
    Can any UK members tell me where to buy spaghetti squash? I live in Manchester and I've asked just about everywhere I can think of!
  • kaseysospacey
    kaseysospacey Posts: 499 Member
    I like truvia on strawberries or whatever, but the aftertaste to me is kind of marshmellow-y. I use drops in drinks.

    For me, the best switch was a splash of juice (cranberry is a fave) in seltzer instead of diet soda, which I drank by the liter daily.
  • panda007dammit
    panda007dammit Posts: 36 Member
    Stevia's great! I also use Trader Joe's version. I sweeten my coffee and oatmeal with it. I still usually use sugar for baking because I think it wouldn't work as well with stevia, but I could be wrong. Has anyone tried baking with it?

    For substitutions, I usually go about half and half with brown rice and lentils now if I'm making some kind of stir fry and want a rice-y base. Extra protein and fiber!
  • Slove009
    Slove009 Posts: 364 Member
    I use Stevia, but I'm careful with it. It's much sweeter than sugar so you only need half as much. And if you use too much the bitterness is stronger too. I like shiritaki noodles for adding to stir frys. I tried it for marinara pasta and it wasn't that good at all
  • Weightwary
    Weightwary Posts: 3
    My husband now prefers spaghetti squash to pasta!
  • Tilran
    Tilran Posts: 627 Member
    I prefer Wendy's quarter-pounder to a flame broiled Whopper.

    That Hardee’s burger with the pulled pork on it is pretty darn good too.

    Sorry what? I was busy eating this: http://www.heartattackgrill.com/guinness.html
  • swagner73
    swagner73 Posts: 43 Member
    Meh, I'll stick to my honey and regular sugar... personally I'd rather eat the real thing but learn to adjust my portions. Now, who mentioned burgers...?:drinker:

    Same here.
  • AllTehBeers
    AllTehBeers Posts: 5,030 Member
    Salad instead of sandwich for lunch. Lower carbs and calories and extra veggies.

    I eat an egg sandwich every day. 178 cals and 23g of carbs. Keeps me fuller longer too
  • onedayillbeamilf
    onedayillbeamilf Posts: 966 Member
    I prefer Wendy's quarter-pounder to a flame broiled Whopper.

    I prefer Whataburger over both....but the Whopper is a close second.
  • NormalSaneFLGuy
    NormalSaneFLGuy Posts: 1,344 Member
    I prefer Wendy's quarter-pounder to a flame broiled Whopper.

    I prefer Whataburger over both....but the Whopper is a close second.

    I prefer oral........................ to subcutaneous medications
  • Litlbeast
    Litlbeast Posts: 340 Member
    Turkey instead of...pretty much any other protein except fish. Turkey burgers, turkey bacon, turkey cutlets. MM.
  • kimberliiw
    kimberliiw Posts: 242 Member
    Stevia has a really bad aftertaste to me, you might want to try some before buying. I'm told that some people don't get the aftertaste.

    Five Guys over Wendys.
  • Storm_Wolf
    Storm_Wolf Posts: 24
    My husband now prefers spaghetti squash to pasta!

    Maybe I cooked it wrong? I mean it tasted good....but it went mushy and didn't "spaghetti" for me...i was very disappointed when i watched the video it came out nearly identical to pasta.
  • dena789
    dena789 Posts: 165 Member
    My husband now prefers spaghetti squash to pasta!

    Maybe I cooked it wrong? I mean it tasted good....but it went mushy and didn't "spaghetti" for me...i was very disappointed when i watched the video it came out nearly identical to pasta.

    Perhaps it was overcooked? To make mine, I just cut it in half lengthwise and put it cut side down on a cookie sheet, put it in the oven at 350 for about 35 to 40 minutes. Just until it is tender enough so that a fork can pierce the shell.

    Oops, almost forgot - home food over fast food!

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