The Sweetener Stevia

[GrrrPenguin]

I was wondering if anyone had heard of or used the sweetener stevia. It is okay to use this sweetener while doing Atkins? It is a noncaloric herb, and I bought it labeled as a dietary supplement at a local health food store. The package says that it contains 1/2 g carbohydrate per serving, but I know some articial sweeteners such as aspartame aren't allowed so I wasn't sure! The website http://www.stevia.net offers more info too.

[Enchantedraisin]

Stevia is perfect for Atkins.

It has kind of a bitter taste though. It's a nice filler when used to Splenda. Stevia is also good for you.

[sadie147]

It's the main sweetener i use (and i'm also growing it in my backyard..though i'm not sure what to do with it? LOL)

I don't find it bitter, but i do find it has a very different taste than artificial sweeteners. I'm so used to it i actually can't use anything else in my coffee..I love it. But it took a while to get used to.

I use pure stevia powder, not the packets. the packets have fillers which is where the carb count comes from. pure stevia does not. it's 32x sweeter than sugar so you need very very little when using the pure powder (I probely use an eighth of a tsp for my coffee if that).

For bakiing i use liquid stevia, i usually do add some splenda or liquid sugar twin (sodium cyclamate) as well..i think baked goods taste better if you mix your sweeteners.

Stevia is pricey, but my $11 bottle of powder has lasted me 2 months so far..and i use it every day.

[ThePrisoner]

I, as well, use only stevia as a sweetener in anything I make that I want sweetened. You will find that not all brands of stevia taste the same. You will have to try different brands until you find the brand that does not have or have as much of the aftertaste that many say they detect. I have tried a few brands and found one which my taste receptors really like and there is virtually no aftertaste. KAL Pure Stevia Powder is the one I use and love. It actually enhances the flavor of everything I use it in.