What's Your Sweetener Choice?

2

Replies

  • sadinas4
    sadinas4 Posts: 5
    splenda is usually what I use. I sure would like to use something more natural. I get so much grief from people about the artificial sweetners and how bad they are.
  • seesylrun
    seesylrun Posts: 22 Member
    Splenda and Agave Nectar :wink:


  • Other than that Sun Crystals are wonderful. The combination of Stevia and Natural sugar removes that slightly bitter after taste that is common to just Stevia.
    I love Sun Crystals!
  • allykat8
    allykat8 Posts: 237
    Truvia or Splenda.

    I like splenda b/c I get it for free everytime I walk by Starbucks :)
  • Agave Nectar:love:
  • afyfe
    afyfe Posts: 93
    Hot tea or iced tea, I use Sun Crystals (stevia/cane sugar mix).

    Baking, I use the Splenda Mixes (white or brown sugar/splenda mix).

    Smoothies and cooking, typically honey.
  • kellycrow
    kellycrow Posts: 140
    if you think artificial sweeteners aren't bad for you - please read this...

    http://www.womentowomen.com/healthyweight/splenda.aspx


    i prefer stevia (from whole foods or trader joes --- 100% pure & natural) and agave/honey... nothing artificial for me...
  • Mamakatspokane
    Mamakatspokane Posts: 3,098 Member
    This is kind of funny how I know all this. My husband and I own an Ice cream shop (part of the reason I joined the site), so I have used almost every single one of the sweeteners for our Sugar-Free, Lactose-Intolerant, Gluten Free, and Diabetic options of Ice cream. This is how it breaks down. I use Agave and Slpenda for my diabetics who come in. The important thing about Agave is you have to pick the right one, it needs to be ceritfied by the Diabetic Assocation. The only one that is certified is the Volcanic Nectar Agave. The Agave is also great for people who have gluten allergies. Other Brands of Agave have fillers like corn syrup in them. I use Truvia for my glocuse intolerant customers. While the Stevia plant has not been certified as safe for diabetics (the reason for this is it is an herb, and herbs are not usually regulated by the FDA) I have some customers who swear by it and are diabetics. Sweet and low leaves a funny after taste along with some of the others you have mentioned. And as far as honey, it really spikes your blood sugar, just as if you were to eat regular sugar. So if I have to use a sweetener, I use either Agave (Volcanic Nectar Only), Splenda, Truvia, or Sugar. I really like to cook with Agave because it is 4 times sweeter than sugar, so instead of using a cup of sugar I only use 1/4 of a cup of agave. I hope this information helps. Good luck everyone!!!
    Thank you!
  • sdwelk11
    sdwelk11 Posts: 825
    splenda...its free by the handful from dunkin donuts

    I just had to laugh at this one. Most of us (well me anyways) can not set foot in a doughnut shop:cry: and here you are going and getting free splenda to boot!! oh and I find it funny that a DOUGHNUT shop offers sugar substitute!!

    :laugh:


    edited cuz I forgot to add my choice:

    I choose splenda or Splenda sugar blend
  • Splenda :-)
  • msarro
    msarro Posts: 2,748 Member
    Honey, Molasses, or Sugar.

    Stevia IS good in tea though; I find its herbal flavor doesn't work out in some foods.
  • krazzybebe03
    krazzybebe03 Posts: 39 Member
    Agave is what I try to stick with but I do use splenda especially since you can bake with it.
  • snookeroo
    snookeroo Posts: 2,068 Member
    Has anyone tried "Ideal No Calorie Sweetener"?
    It contains Xylitol.
  • dwarfer22
    dwarfer22 Posts: 358 Member
    No-one mentioned Equal. I love me some Splenda but it breaks the piggy bank. I find generic Equal at Aldi's for my morning cup o' Joe. If I am baking I gotta use the real deal, sugar. I am tempted to try the Truvia but again I am concerned about price, any thoughts?
  • Aquave nectar rocks! Doesnt have the heavy taste honey does..and blends much (dissolves faster) in oatmeal and hot foods. Can use it in just about everything.
  • KarenECunningham
    KarenECunningham Posts: 419 Member
    I use Steevia as a sweetener for my cereal and latte. I do drink Crystal Light sometimes which I believe has aspartame. Once in awhile I drink a diet soda. I am trying for only natural sweeteners other than sugar (I am a diabetic) and I am on a no sugar no simple carbs weight loss program. I plan on trying agave. I have found diet drinks at Whole Foods that are sweetened with Steevia. They are called Zeevia. The raspberry is delicious.
  • finallyproud
    finallyproud Posts: 154 Member
    I use Apriva (Kroger Brand)..same stuff as Splenda and no calorie, but a whole lot cheaper!!!
  • snookeroo
    snookeroo Posts: 2,068 Member
    I have been sampling Purevia, Truvia and Stevia In The Raw. All those companies graciously sent me samples and coupons.
    In my opinion, as far as taste, Purevia and Truvia are the clear winners (in that order). To me, Stevia in the Raw leaves too much of an after taste, although not unbearable. In fact, I bought a 50 ct box and I will certainly use it all. However, my next purchase will probably be Purevia. None of the sweeteners did I use a whole packet...always half at a time. Oh yea, I am only using them for coffee.

    I am interested in trying "Ideal No Calorie Sweetener". It contains xylitol instead of stevia. (I read that xylitol is supposed to be benificial for healthy teeth. (maybe I'll try this one next)
    I am really interested in finding a zero calorie sweetener. But I have heard very good things about Sun Crystals. It has 5 calories per packet. I'll probably try this one, too.

    Before all this, (and after sugar) I had been using Equal. Could always go back to that...
  • bksonj
    bksonj Posts: 2
    One swallow of any sweetener containing anything artificial and I have a raging migraine. Aspertame is the worst. Terrible what those artificial sweeteners can do to a person! Sugar or honey for me, just in moderation.
  • snookeroo
    snookeroo Posts: 2,068 Member
    One swallow of any sweetener containing anything artificial and I have a raging migraine. Aspertame is the worst. Terrible what those artificial sweeteners can do to a person! Sugar or honey for me, just in moderation.

    Stevia and Xylitol aren't artificial!
  • bksonj
    bksonj Posts: 2
    I am so frightened by my response to anything other than honey and sugar that I don't even try any more. I trust that those are natural but stick to what I know works for me. Like I said, moderation is often the best route. Thanks for the clarification, didn't mean to upset any stevia or xylitol followers.
  • Sweetie_Pie92
    Sweetie_Pie92 Posts: 314 Member
    I just use plain old regular sugar in moderation :D I have a box of Stevia...and I just don't like the way it tasted XP
  • Nich0le
    Nich0le Posts: 2,906 Member
    Raw sugar, I try to keep it as close to the source as possible. Stevia is a good option but the artificial sweetners have to go, lots of studies showing poeple who use artificial are heavier than non artificial users. My two cents.
  • ianconway
    ianconway Posts: 185 Member
    Organic Dark Brown Sugar that is Fair Trade Certified. No chemicals. I would also search for Organic Honey, the darkest you can find.

    I will say that it does take a while to get used to compared to chemical filled sugars. It's not as sweet as those artificial sweeteners. But, that's part of making better choices and eating the right things.
  • sparkles321
    sparkles321 Posts: 107
    I use regular sugar, pure maple syrup, or honey. I won't touch anything synthetic anymore, I just don't trust it. And other "natural" alternatives are just as bad for your body as sugar, but cost 3-4 times as much. If I'm going to put the poison in my body, I choose the cheap stuff. :wink:
  • TwentyTen
    TwentyTen Posts: 585
    I really do not understand the need for artificial sweeteners and I cannot stand the taste of any of them. Raw sugar and honey for me, and maple syrup. Now that I have cut down on the sugar, I find a little goes a long way, and the calories are nearly negligible.
  • princessfiona
    princessfiona Posts: 23 Member
    I am diabetic, so I use artificial sweeteners... I mostly use Splenda; if I'm baking I sometimes use half Splenda and half sugar, since I haven't seen the Splenda baking blend in Canada... I also use Splenda for making ice cream. I once made it with Sugar Twin, and it was so bad I threw it away! I want to try xylitol, and have read about agave nectar and whey low, but have not tried any of these as I live in the middle of nowhere and these things are not readily available, and I haven't been interested enough to find them on the net yet. ;)
  • I see alot of people on here go for honey. Do you use it in any recipe in place of sugar? I'm wanting to make a cake today and I'm curious.
    I've started using Stevia. But so far, I've just bought the small packets, they are on sale with a double coupons, can't beat the price.
    Sometimes I get a craving for some Kool-aid. The last time I made it I used Splenda, wow, way too sweet! Sweeter than using regular sugar.
    I have never heard of Whey Low. And I work in a grocery store. I'll have to check into it more closely as I hang sale tags on Tues night.
  • snookeroo
    snookeroo Posts: 2,068 Member
    I have been sampling Purevia, Truvia and Stevia In The Raw. All those companies graciously sent me samples and coupons.
    In my opinion, as far as taste, Purevia and Truvia are the clear winners (in that order). To me, Stevia in the Raw leaves too much of an after taste, although not unbearable. In fact, I bought a 50 ct box and I will certainly use it all. However, my next purchase will probably be Purevia. None of the sweeteners did I use a whole packet...always half at a time. Oh yea, I am only using them for coffee.

    I am interested in trying "Ideal No Calorie Sweetener". It contains xylitol instead of stevia. (I read that xylitol is supposed to be benificial for healthy teeth. (maybe I'll try this one next)
    I am really interested in finding a zero calorie sweetener. But I have heard very good things about Sun Crystals. It has 5 calories per packet. I'll probably try this one, too.

    Before all this, (and after sugar) I had been using Equal. Could always go back to that...

    Well this morning I tried "Ideal No Calorie Sweetener".

    HOORAY! YAHOO! AT LAST! We (or at least I) have a WINNER!
    "Ideal" is great! NO AFTERTASTE!!!!!! And cheaper than the others. If you are looking for the PERFECT no calorie sweetener, give this one a try.

    I requested samples from the company and they glady sent me a couple of packets to try. I have seen this on the shelf at ACME, (the local super market).

    And for those who may frown at "articial sweeteners", look up xylitol. As I have read and the way I understand, it is natural, even produded in our body and is even in strawberrys. It is reported to have health benefits for teeth.
    "Ideal No Calorie Sweetener" claims to be more than 99% natural.

    I'm switching to this one!

    Oh, and did I mention, NO AFTERTASTE?!!!
  • snookeroo
    snookeroo Posts: 2,068 Member
    :drinker: :happy:
This discussion has been closed.