Do you know anything about this sweetener?

[Bertha Venation]

I started using it because of what I've read about Splenda. But now I'm thinking I should ditch it.

The nutritional info:

Serving size: 1/2 tsp
Calories: 5
Carbs: 2
Sugars: 2

I'm new to all of this, so whatever advice you can offer or thoughts you can share would be welcome. Thanks.

(I have type II.)

[TexasProgresive]

1. As a diabetic I would not use it because it is 50% sugar

Stevia is good but some don't like the taste. Anyway if you monitor your BG levels after using it and they don't spike go for it.

[Bertha Venation]

3. Thank you, T.P.

[TreasonousBastard]

2. TP above has the right idea...

You know what your carb tolerance is and if you can fit 4 per teaspoon into your diet, go for it.

But (there's always that "but"...)

Stevia is probably safe, but no one knows for sure right now, and refined sugar is still refined sugar with all of its other problems aside from carb content. You could buy your own bag of stevia and mix it with something to improve the taste. Even Splenda. Or a little maple syrup (probably very little).

Splenda's primary problem seems to be killing off some good gut bacteria, which could be a problem, but I'm not sure this is a reason to eliminate it-- maybe just reduce consumption. Another sweetener that got a bad name a while back is saccharine. Turns out that if you don't eat a pound or so a day it's not a carcinogen after all and if you can take the taste, it's cheap and OK.

I refuse, as much as possible, to consume aspartame (Equal) or sugar alcohols (all that stuff like erythritol that ends in "-ol&quot . Aspartame just freaks me out because it's so common but so little is actually known about it and sugar alcohols often trigger diarrhea. Aspartame might cause some temporary nerve problems, and I guarantee you that getting the runs is not a preferred method of dieting.

Some might consider the Mayo Clinic a bit too conservative and establishment for their tastes, but here's their introduction to sweeteners:

http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/artificial-sweeteners/art-20046936?pg=1

[Bertha Venation]

4. Thanks, T.B.

You've provided good info here.

I wrote off aspartame last year when I stopped drinking a 12-pack every two days. (Strangely, wonderfully, that stopped my incontinence problem. What a bonus!) (TMI? )

I guess I'll read more about Splenda. I'm not too worried about gut bacteria, as my nutritionist has me on probiotics.

I didn't know that Stevia has a bad taste. I'm going to try it anyway.

Thanks for the Mayo Clinic link. I'll read what they have to say.