Stevia vs Splenda

[tulsanurse1]

I just realized that I have 50 small packets of Stevia. I have no idea what to do with it. Could I use it to replace the Splenda that is called for in recipes? Would the amounts be the same? It says it 10-15 times sweeter than processed sugar but gives no info on the difference in sweetness between Splenda and Stevia. Whats your preference and what do u do with this stuff?

[TitianWasp]

Hey y'all - make sure you read up on Stevia before using it regularly. I am sure there are similar alerts on many products, but it never hurts to be as aware as possible when making choices:

FDA import alert on stevia used as food additive; Dole packaged salads recall

By: Kay B. Day Posted: 7:20pm, Tue 18 Sep 2007 Topics: Food & Drink Health & Wellness Politics & News


The U. S. Food and Drug Administration has identified certain products from companies in Japan, Korea and Brazil for automatic detention because the products contain derivatives of stevia leaves used in food products. Stevia is popularly used as a sweetener in the U. S. as in some other countries. But technically, stevia is only legal in the U.S. as a dietary supplement—it hasn’t been approved as a food supplement or sweetener.

FDA issued a revised attachment September 12 to an alert originally issued in 1996. Read more at Covering Florida.

Google "Stevia" and "FDA" before purchasing.

[des]

When sweetening anything with stevia, it's really trial and error. Add a little and taste to see if it's good enough. If you over sweeten, it tends to get a bitter taste, which kinda ruins it. A little goes a long way, and I find it's usually more potent than Splenda.

Stevia has properties that help the body to process sugars, and has no glycemic effect. So it's actually recommended for diabetics to complement a healthy diet. I found it took longer to get used to than Splenda. But now that I am, it's basically all I use. I prefer it in liquid form, but the powdered form is good too.

[susan423]

[QUOTE=TitianWasp]Hey y'all - make sure you read up on Stevia before using it regularly. I am sure there are similar alerts on many products, but it never hurts to be as aware as possible when making choices:

FDA import alert on stevia used as food additive; Dole packaged salads recall

By: Kay B. Day Posted: 7:20pm, Tue 18 Sep 2007 Topics: Food & Drink Health & Wellness Politics & News


The U. S. Food and Drug Administration has identified certain products from companies in Japan, Korea and Brazil for automatic detention because the products contain derivatives of stevia leaves used in food products. Stevia is popularly used as a sweetener in the U. S. as in some other countries. But technically, stevia is only legal in the U.S. as a dietary supplement—it hasn’t been approved as a food supplement or sweetener.

FDA issued a revised attachment September 12 to an alert originally issued in 1996. Read more at Covering Florida.

Google "Stevia" and "FDA" before purchasing.[/QUOTE

And while you're at it, Google Splenda. Scary stuff.

[Grant]

Originally Posted by susan423

The only thing I can think of is maybe when Dr, Atkins was doing his study, stevia wasn't very well known.

I agree with this, I think if Dr. Atkins was stil around he would probably have included Stevia an a new edition.

Originally Posted by susan423

Most folks on this board take the drs advice as gospel and they have trouble thinking for themselves.

Nice.

[des]

Originally Posted by Grant

I agree with this, I think if Dr. Atkins was stil around he would probably have included Stevia an a new edition.

Perhaps. However, while I do believe that Atkins did intend to help people with the system, and of course that it really does work, I also think this has a lot to do with money as well. Atkins developed some kind of partnership with Splenda. Marketing is involved here. Stevia is an herb, not a product created by primiarily one large company. So the oportunity to make money from a partnership just isn't there.

[chewtoy45]

Stevia is the only sweetner I use. It's great! But don't forget to count the carbs (1 per packet).

[kate58]

Bear in mind that just because something is natural and from a plant/herb does not mean it is automatically safer than something manufactured. Digitalis is natural and from a plant and can kill you.

[des]

Originally Posted by kate58

Bear in mind that just because something is natural and from a plant/herb does not mean it is automatically safer than something manufactured. Digitalis is natural and from a plant and can kill you.

Very true. So is cocaine for that matter.
However, stevia is not really a new fad, and it has an incredible track record. So it is one "natural" product I'm not so worried about. All things in moderation, of course. But hands down it's a better alternative to sugar, aspartame, and even Splenda. We know what sugar does to the body. Aspartame destroys the liver and can cause cancer. And Splenda is molecularly identical to chlorine. Stevia has not shown any evidence thus far of having any such negative side effects.

[Debi2007]

I have a box of Stevia in my kitchen. I have used it once. I don't bake or add sugar to anything. I don't use artificial sweetners at all. They are very dangerous. I like that there is such an awareness on this board for being healthy.