Stevia question

[Sweet Strudel]

So, I just bought some liquid stevia the other day and since its not an artificial sweetener like splenda...do we count it towards our sweetener intake on induction. I know we are allowed maximum 3 packets of splenda a day then.

Could this perhaps be a "free" food?

Just wondering because I am doing induction again for a week and I want to try and do it by the book this time.

Thanks!

[JulieB]

No such thing as a free ride! (Yes, it counts against the max 3/day)

[Sweet Strudel]

Oh Crap!

Thanks Julie...you party pooper! Just kiddin of course!

[liv]

have you tried the Stevia yet? I bought some too but did not try it yet.

[Sweet Strudel]

Hi Liv

Yes I did try it.

I bought some at the health food store the other day. Liquid Stevia (NOW brand). It says it is certified organic liquid extract.

I have used it today in my peppermint tea. I only used 3 or 4 drops and it made it slightly sweet and I didn't notice the after taste that I had gotten from the powdered stevia I had tried in the past.

I was confused after reading some posts on here about stevia so I thought I would throw it out there and ask.

I notice in another post that Sherri said it was zero carbs. So if it has zero carbs why can't we use as much as we want, besides its natural not artificial.

I wonder if Dr. Atkins addressed stevia in the book...I don't remember, heck maybe it wasn't even being sold like this back then.

Well, anyone with anymore information, please post.

[liv]

I bought a tiny bottle to try it out. I will once I get back to sweeteners.
Stevia is not in the book. It was a not a recognized sweetener when Atkins published it.
The interpretation we have here and it is confirmed by quotes in the book (and it is also what the atkins.com website is doing) is limiting all sweeteners to three a day whether they have carbs or not. I think it is because even artificial sweeteners may trigger an insulin response .

There is a faq post on it
http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...-response.html (Addicted to Sweets? The Cephalic Phase Insulin Response)

[Aways2Go]

I love the powdered stevia packets in all things I have tried it with - except coffee! For some reason, it seems to make it bitter to me, to the point of undrinkable. Granted, I am very particular about my coffee. . .

Been using stevia for years with no problems noted otherwise - powder, powder with extra fiber, unflavored drops, and flavored drops. Usually located in the supplements aisle of the store alongside fiber tablets, vitamins, etc.

[GRAPES]

I clearly remember Dr. Atkins discussing Stevia in books passed...it was the sugar substitute he recommended, but how he counted it, I do not recall.... I just purchased Truvia, a granule version of Stevia, I like it; it tastes like sugar to me.

[GRAPES]

FWIW, I found this quote in a few places on line...Robert C. Atkins, M. D.
From Dr. Atkins "Health Revelations" Newsletter, April 1994
"Stevia has virtually no calories. It dissolves easily in water and mixes well with all other sweeteners...I used it myself in delicious homemade ice cream that is extremely low in carbohydrates."

[3drcsmith]

The best thing about using stevia is that is does NOT affect your insulin levels. It is a herb that is naturally sweet. I have used it for years. I love it. I will not use the Truvia because they did something to it but I have yet to figure out what. The only thing I have not done with stevia yet is bake.