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]

Re: Stevia question

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

[Sweet Strudel]

Re: Stevia question

Oh Crap!

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

[liv]

Re: Stevia question

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

[Sweet Strudel]

Re: Stevia question

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]

Re: Stevia question

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.com/forums/atkins-low-carb-dieting-faqs/77561-addicted-sweets-cephalic-phase-insulin-response.html

[Aways2Go]

Re: Stevia question

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]

Re: Stevia question

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]

Re: Stevia question

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]

Re: Stevia question

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.

[Slapshot]

Re: Stevia question

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. . .

I had a similar feeling. However, I tried a few drops of liquid stevia I found at Whole Foods and the bitterness wasn't there.

[Aways2Go]

Re: Stevia question

RE: stevia drops in coffee -

Ha, I'll have to try that. Once I ruined a few cups of coffee with the powdered stevia, I never attempted the drops in coffee and just learned to love unsweetened coffee. Occasionally it might be nice for a flavored dessert coffee, though.

I used the drops mostly to add a little flavor to water, which was about my only drink for the last several years besides coffee. I used flavored stevia drops sometimes, and sometimes used the unflavored drops and a squeeze of lime juice. I prefer fresh lime juice, but used a plastic squeeze bottle type sometimes too. A Whole Foods near me carried a brand of bottled lime juice (seems like it was a plastic bottle shaped like a lime) that had the zest or oils from the rind added to it - gave it a really intense and fresh flavor, SO much better than any bottled lime juice I have ever tasted otherwise. It was on the shelf in the aisle with canned goods or juices if I remember - worth looking for!

[yoda]

Re: Stevia question

I love stevia! My preferred brand is SweetLeaf Sweetener Stevia. I have learned that it has 0 calories, 0 carbs, and a 0 glycemic index--the only stevia brand or sweetener on the market with all three of these properties! I have also heard that it has no effect on insulin levels. Why the intake of this would need to be limited, I have no idea! Oh, and it has no aftertaste!!

[vmartennis]

Re: Stevia question Stevia is mentioned in DANDR

So, I looked in the "Artificial Sweeteners" section of DANDR...page 128. "The FDA has approved the herb stevia for use as a supplement, not as a sweetener." I read the first DANDR in 2000 (the '99 edition). I don't see a mention of stevia at all. I don't think there was much interest or knowledge of stevia back then. There is much interest and knowledge now. I think the diff b/w splenda and stevia isn't a lot... but I am concluding that since splenda is derived from sugar and stevia is an herb I will trust stevia @ this point. I don't care crave sweets anymore, I can live without them (except @ Christmas and Thanksgiving) I'm human. But there are some things that need sweetener. Ok... Later...V

[yoda]

Re: Stevia question

The FDA has approved stevia as a sweetener as of about December 2008. That's why there is so much more interest now.

As for the differences between splenda and stevia, yes, stevia is an herb, but splenda is basically (as I undersand it) sugarized chlorine (--I don't think their slogan "It's made from sugar, tastes like sugar, but is not sugar is competely honest--it was originally used as an insecticide).

Just some friendly info.!