Need help from the long-time MFP-members, regarding Sugar and Stevia

No, as long as I am in calorie deficit, I lose weight. Sometimes water weight masks my progress, but I still lose weight, no matter if I"m using sugar, splenda, stevia, honey, whatever.

Saity, however, is a whole different animal, and you don't want to waste calories on foods that are not going to fill you up. I've switched from sugar to splenda in baking because I"m trying to lower the calorie count. I use Pyure stevia in my drinks for the same reason (especially since I found out that splenda does actually have calories, thanks to the filler they use )

Everything in moderation, or the 80/20 rule are pretty good rules to go by for sanity, based also on knowing yourself and what you can moderate and what you can't - though it sounds like moderation works pretty well for you.

Basically, if you are eating healthy - getting plenty of lean protein, vegetables, fruits, good fats, etc 80% of the time, then don't worry about the treats. Or look at it this way - make sure that at least 80% of your calories come from good foods, and you can guilt-free indulge the rest. Or make sure you hit your goals for the day, and whatever calories are left use for a treat. That's how I do it - I focus on getting my protein and my fiber in; once I hit those numbers, if I have calories left, I'll have a treat such as a piece of chocolate, fruit, sugar free jello, or even cookies or cake.

The thing is, there are a lot of studies out there that contradict each other, many that are filled with all kinds of holes and bad controls, and others that show a potential trend in one direction but get blowed all out of proportion by media. So unless you have a mitigating health condition that requires it, I wouldn't worry too much about those things if you have a good, solid, common sense plan with your CICO. Quality of life sometimes gets pushed to the side in importance when one is trying to listen to all the "shoulds" out there, but quality of life is what makes life worth living!

Sugar affects weight loss for me in that it packs a lot of calories compared to alternatives and sugary foods tend to be “addictive “ making me want to eat more of them. Both of those things elevate calories and hinder weight loss for me because it is difficult to balance out the calories in other areas.

A moderate amount of any food or ingredient means an amount that doesn't crowd out the other stuff you need while you are at the right calorie level.

I try to hit my protein and fiber goals while getting enough servings of vegetables and fruit. Outside of that, I eat what I'm in the mood for within my calories.

Other than rare instances, I'm far more likely to overeat crunchy/salty or cheesy than I am sweet foods. I often have a weighed out portion of ice cream, cookies, or kids cereal as an evening snack. But different people are satiated by and have issues controlling different foods. I don't think I eat anything with Stevia, but I drink a diet soda or water flavor almost every day. I have no blood sugar issues. I'm not aware of peer reviewed, replicatable science that clearly shows the need for those without a medical condition to micro manage insulin response by ingredient.

"I want to hear from the long term MFP-members, has sugar and stevia ever hampered your weight loss efforts or maintenance? "- No. My overall diet is high carb but I don't tend to eat a lot of sugar (I prefer savoury foods as a generalisation) - except when I'm cycling long distances then I eat a whole load of sugary foods.

"they are saying stevia isn't too great either because of the insulin response it sends out, which could also lead to fat storage" - They (whoever they are....) are talking nonsense. You gain fat in a persistent energy surplus - no surplus, no net gain of energy stores (fat). Think of your car's fuel tank - If you don't put more in than you use the level can't get higher.