Stevia

[sophia_corvino]

I don't know if this is an appropriate post, but does anybody use the product Stevia?  If so, is it good? Bad? Better than sugar?

I've noticed it for a while but never paid it too much attention -- mostly because my name is Stevie and it looks like my name out of the corner of my eye, lol!

Thanx in advance!

Comments

[uchikikun]

Stevia is the only sweetener I use. I use the extract to sweeten my oatmeal, and that's all I ever really sweeten. Some people say it's bitter or has an aftertaste, but I don't notice it.

The regulation of stevia is kind of weird in the USA, and some people say it's bad, but last year the WHO (World Health Organization) released a report that recognizes it as safe. It's kind of expensive, but I really can't justify the calories and lack of nutrition in regular sugar. That's my take anyway!

[_unsure]

I've tried stevia-sweetened tea and bought some "chocolate" stevia liquid flavoring, and I didn't like either very much... it has a distinctive weird taste that I can't ignore.

The whole foods near me sells individual bottles of stevia-sweetened tea - maybe try something like that to see what you think before you buy a whole package?

[monkee_madness]

Stevia is an herb that I find tastes sweet IN something like tea, but slightly bitter if I just taste it by itself. My friend has an herb garden and has given me some fresh in the past, but I also use the powder. I find that the powder is easier to dissolve in something (faster than sugar!) and it is definitely healthier than sugar (which adds more empty calories to whatever you put it on).

I recommend looking in the bulk herb section of a health food store and trying it that way--less packaging and you don't have to buy a ton :)

[saffroncisco]

A (non-vegan) friend of mine is on a no-sugar, low-glycemic-index diet, and she loves her Stevia. She uses it for baking, making hot cocoa, etc.

Me, I'm a little suspicious of it... I'd be more comfortable using things like brown rice syrup, maple syrup, etc.

[jaymzeecat]

I had gotten some packets of Stevia from Trader Joes that I really didn't care for. It seemed like I needed more of it than I thought I would to sweeten my coffee and it did have a funny after taste. But... I recently tried a different brand sold at our local health food shop and it was really good and much sweeter. It was called "NuStevia". I also bought some in liquid form, but I haven't tried it yet.