STEVIA VS. SPLENDA

giag09
giag09 Posts: 203 Member
in Food and Nutrition
which is healthier?

Replies

  • melsinct
    melsinct Posts: 3,512 Member
    Neither are particularly healthy, it is sugar substitute after all.
  • Mrs_Hull
    Mrs_Hull Posts: 25 Member
    I would say stevia because it is natural, right? Splenda can cause all sorts of nasty health problems. We don't allow it anywhere near our house.

    With that said, I have not tried stevia. I am a tried and true fan of using plain old sugar or honey.
  • LabRat529
    LabRat529 Posts: 1,323 Member
    Both are fine. You should probably do some research yourself. Asking MFP is just going to start a long argument in which nothing gets accomplished. There are people who think splenda will make you grow two heads (okay... I exaggerate a bit). Look it up on webmd. Look it up on the Mayo clinic site. Look it up on Pubmed. I wouldn't trust a basic google search- you'll just get a bunch of people trying to scare you. There's a HUGE difference between the alarmist baloney you'll find using a basic google search and actual quality science.
  • seebeachrun
    seebeachrun Posts: 221 Member
    Splenda give me IBS symptoms. I try to stay away as much as possible. But I do have to admit that when I go to luncheons or meetings where they leave out snacks and coffee I will use the Splenda to give me an upset stomach so I won't eat as much. I know it's bad but I prefer Splenda to Sweet & Low and regular sugar which is usually all they have at those events anyway.
  • Mrs_Hull
    Mrs_Hull Posts: 25 Member
    Actually, I take that back. Apparently stevia can also cause side effects such as bloating, nausea, dizziness, muscle pain, and numbness.

    http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-682-STEVIA.aspx?activeIngredientId=682&activeIngredientName=STEVIA

    Splenda: http://www.3fatchicks.com/five-health-side-effects-of-splenda-sucralose/
  • LabRat529
    LabRat529 Posts: 1,323 Member
    I would say stevia because it is natural, right? Splenda can cause all sorts of nasty health problems. We don't allow it anywhere near our house.

    With that said, I have not tried stevia. I am a tried and true fan of using plain old sugar or honey.

    I object to the concept that a 'natural' substance is by default better than something that mankind has isolated or synthesized.

    And the 'nasty health problems' you mention have do not hold up to scientific testing. The bulk of the research, when taken all together, indicates that splenda is a safe substitute for sugar.
  • PeaceCorpsKat
    PeaceCorpsKat Posts: 335 Member
    Real sugar is healtiest... but no added sugar and/or sugar substitute is best.
  • bytemeeeeee
    bytemeeeeee Posts: 173 Member
    Hello...
    I've used Stevia for 6 years now...My holistic doctor who is also an oncologist recommended it...http://www.stevia.com/Stevia_Article/Frequently_asked_questions_FAQ/2269 you might find this link helpful...Splenda is NOT good for you...And for some might halt your weight loss...read this link http://www.splendaexposed.com/
    I hope this helped you some...:smile:
    Debbie~
  • Angie0rtiz
    Angie0rtiz Posts: 45
    Splenda give me IBS symptoms. I try to stay away as much as possible. But I do have to admit that when I go to luncheons or meetings where they leave out snacks and coffee I will use the Splenda to give me an upset stomach so I won't eat as much. I know it's bad but I prefer Splenda to Sweet & Low and regular sugar which is usually all they have at those events anyway.

    Weird you say that because I been using Splenda since the summer of last year and I started having SERIOUS GI problem in October. My GI specialist told me to have No sugar or natural sugar instead. Since then I did 1 tbs of sugar n 1 pack splenda. Still having issues but not as much.
    I recently switched to Stevia (in the Raw) and thru out all the splenda to see if it can get me to a normal state again. So with that said Stevia!
  • Angellore
    Angellore Posts: 519 Member
    I prefer the taste of stevia to splenda and for me that's the most important. I don't cut sugar out completely, but I use Stevia on cereal and in porridge etc.
  • pantsdailyon
    pantsdailyon Posts: 173 Member

    I object to the concept that a 'natural' substance is by default better than something that mankind has isolated or synthesized.

    And the 'nasty health problems' you mention have do not hold up to scientific testing. The bulk of the research, when taken all together, indicates that splenda is a safe substitute for sugar.

    QFT

    I use both (actually, a sucralose syrup without the maltodextrin that Splenda uses), different sweeteners for different uses.
  • Merrychrissmith
    Merrychrissmith Posts: 231 Member
    White sugar generic 15 calories. Substitutes are manufactured substancesand I find the unknowns about them are not worth 15 cals. 100 steps in a minute on my stair stepper burns 15 cals. Not worth the trade off for questionable substitutes, Others, no doubt, will castigate "evil sugar" but it is more natural and without the possible interactions of the substitutes. JMO
  • stellaskies
    stellaskies Posts: 161 Member
    I use honey when I can but if I need sugar I use a stevia or truvia packet. I can use 1 packet for just about anything and find it perfectly sweet. When I use regular sugar I always have to add a ton of it because it doesn't seem to sweeten as well.

    Splenda has a nasty aftertaste imo.

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