Stevia question

[ConstantCraving]

Being new here I haven't seen anything much about the sweetener Stevia. I did look back some but didn't really find anything about it.

I tried it yesterday and I really liked it. Where about's does it fall the Atkins protocol. Do you still count a packet as a carb as you do Splenda? I found that Stevia is much sweeter than Splenda and where it would have taken 3 packets of Splenda, half a packet of Stevia gave the same level of sweetness.

It's one of those "hmmmmmm" things for me.

Thanks
Cathy

[Sherri]

Hello,
As far as i'm aware, stevia has o carbs. Here's a great site cooking with stevia.
Stevia Conversion Chart
Sherri

[brandywine1241]

It's not the sweetener that has the carbs but the fillers. If you are using powdered stevia, count 1 carb like for splenda. If you're using liquid, it's 0 carbs.

[brightstar7801]

Yep I use the liquid and it has zero carbs. Two drops go a long way.

[KellySmith]

I think I'll be switching to liquid stevia too. I have tried it in the past, but thought it had an after taste. However, maybe my taste buds have changed. I think I'll give it a shot tomorrow.

[ConstantCraving]

Interesting about the Stevia. I looked at the package of the powder packets in the supermarket and the health food store that had rice maltodextrin in it. Says 0 carbs however the pure Stevia powdered packets said 1 gram of carbs per pk. The liquid in the dropper bottle said 0 carbs so, I'll take the advice of you here and get the drops.

Thanks

[brightstar7801]

Originally Posted by KellySmith

I think I'll be switching to liquid stevia too. I have tried it in the past, but thought it had an after taste. However, maybe my taste buds have changed. I think I'll give it a shot tomorrow.

You have to look at different types of splenda. Some do have a nasty aftertaste. And then again if I use too many drops I'll get that slight licorice taste (). So I really don't overuse it.

[KellySmith]

Originally Posted by brightstar7801

You have to look at different types of splenda. Some do have a nasty aftertaste. And then again if I use too many drops I'll get that slight licorice taste (). So I really don't overuse it.

I really like Splenda...It's the Stevia. However, I did use the liquid drops this morning and it tasted okay. I think I will take your advice and try a different brand though.

I just really like the fact that the liquid stevia has 0 carbs.

[steady as she goes]

you can get flavoured stevia too! the vanilla is a staple of mine. add it to club soda, and it tastes like cream soda.

[woodym]

Originally Posted by brandywine1241

It's not the sweetener that has the carbs but the fillers. If you are using powdered stevia, count 1 carb like for splenda. If you're using liquid, it's 0 carbs.

Stevia powder can be pure and super-strong too, like the liquid, such that a dash or two out of a shaker sweetens as much as a few drops of liquid (for recipes this can sweeten on the order of as much as as a cup of sugar).

It's when the powders of stevia or Splenda seek to have cup-for-cup, or teaspoon-for-teaspoon equivalence to the sweetness of sugar, that the fillers factor in and they will have carbs.