splenda vs stevia

[liv]

Re: splenda vs stevia

I think the authors of that book are models. One of them do have a master degree in holistic medicine from an unaccredited institution obtained by correspondence I think
I don't know if there is such a magazine as Consumer's researcher's magazine. Joseph Mercola is a know activist and very anti -Splenda. Not very high on my list of authorities on anything. But that is my point of view of course.

Now that does not mean that I don't think we should be careful about what we eat.
And there is arsenic present in a lot of our food items. Not an uncommon "ingredient"

[warmsummerfall]

Re: splenda vs stevia

Thanks so much everyone for all the info. You have all given me some great info. I do realize I need to cut down on my splenda intake. BIG TIME. I am going to try stevia. I am also going to try the liquid splenda, Thank you for giving me so much information on all the sweetners, I know for me it is a huge part of my losing the weight I have lost thus far. I am going to have to order the liquid on line so thank you for providing the sites for me to be able to do that. I have been extremly dissapointed with the chocolate truffles and other desserts using splenda. I dont know if it was bcause I did not adjust it accordingly. I will be trying new recipes when I am able to get to those rungs.

[Desertthorn]

Re: splenda vs stevia

I cant find liquid sweetner. Is it in the sugar isle?

It seems to be difficult to find. Splenda use to make the liquid but I can't find it anymore.
I don't think any of the artificials are good for you. Stevia at least is natural but I don't like the flavor except in Yogurt for some reason.

[atkinsgal08]

Re: splenda vs stevia

>>Splenda use to make the liquid but I can't find it anymore.>>

They still make it ... it's just never been available to regular consumers.

The versions that you buy, like DaVinci Simple Syrup, or products like FiberFit and SweetFreeze are diluted.

>> I don't think any of the artificials are good for you. >>

That's fine.

[NewKim2009]

Re: splenda vs stevia

http://www.americanchiropractic.net/Sweeteners/Potential%20Dangers%20of%20Sucralose.pdf

This is the article by Dr. Mercola. Quack, maybe. All a bunch of Bull, Maybe. If so then I am missing out because I LOOOOVE splenda!

As far as the Skinny Bi*** book this article is the only source they list for the splenda bashing, but to me thats ok, because like I said the book is mainly about promoting veganism as well as stopping the cruelty to animals etc., with one chapter about sugar and all sugar substitutes not just splenda. They site 226 sources for all information in the book, which is only 224 pgs. That tells me that the book is mainly based on research, so I would say they do, do their research and their information is probably more credible than not. But thats my opinion and I understand opinion is not a fact.

Follow the money is right. It was for aspartame to. The FDA appoved the use of aspartame in our foods even though there was evidence of the dangers because the FDA is in bed with ALL of these companies. The FDA does not care about the public's health, they are in it for the money. Why do you think they have not approved Stevia for use in foods we eat? Its all money and politics. Your right. I just know I don't want to be one that falls victim to the long term effects of using splenda or sucralose, if there are any. I am no expert, I only say what I "think". It doesn't mean it is factual.

I have spent the last few hrs reading online (and for now have to be done as life duties call), and while yes the sugar companies are a GREAT source of bashing splenda and other sweetners, they did file suit against the makers of splenda, in a gist, simply because they are misleading the public to think that splenda is pure and made from sugar, and thats false. Its not. It is in fact a chemically altered product. I personally do believe that, otherwise there would not be such a debate over it. If the actual chemical components can be listed, etc, its not pure it is a chemically altered substance.
I have been trying to slowly eliminate anything from my diet that is not as close to nature as possible, for my own beliefs in how these things can affect our health.
While the statements from readers in this article above are questionable and drastic, and most all of us here don't have these issues with splenda, I do believe that anything chemically processed for sale to the public can and probably is hazardous to your health, whether is now or 20 years from now. There must be some truth to it in all reality. And, separating what opinion from science is easy for me, to me there is enough science alone in the actual components of splenda to sway me. Its this simple, if there is ANY chance that this substance can be harmful to my health or my families health, it goes in the garbage, and I spent a lot of time trying to get my mom and sister and friends to switch to splenda. I was a Splenda cheerleader!

I'll end the anti splenda parade now... LOL I hope I didn't start a splenda war that wasn't my intention. I am also sorry for the long posts, I was asked to try and back it up and so I was trying to do that as best I could. Although I think I more was defending my feelings on the subject....

So back to the main point of this thread, I prefer stevia for all reasons readings, ad Opinions listed above.

With that said, Happy New Year!

[NewKim2009]

Re: splenda vs stevia

I think the authors of that book are models. One of them do have a master degree in holistic medicine from an unaccredited institution obtained by correspondence I think
I don't know if there is such a magazine as Consumer's researcher's magazine. Joseph Mercola is a know activist and very anti -Splenda. Not very high on my list of authorities on anything. But that is my point of view of course.

Now that does not mean that I don't think we should be careful about what we eat.
And there is arsenic present in a lot of our food items. Not an uncommon "ingredient"

Liv - your right. Rory Freedman, is a former AGENT for Ford Models, and Kim Barnouin, is a former MODEL who holds a masters degree in holistic nutrition.

I don't think that discredits them at all though..their former occupations for me are obsolete, and don't have anything to do with their cause. They became full fledged Vegans, and jumped on the book writing bandwagon because of their passion for the stopping of the inhumane treatment of animals, as well as the public's health related to eating animal products and artificial or as they call it "fake food".
While I myself am not a Vegan, LOL I do support their cause and applaud what they are trying to do as far as the animals are concerned. I also appreciate their sharing the information with me "us" about the artificial sweetners as I may have not known or become aware of the possiblity of their harmfulness.

[not2late]

Re: splenda vs stevia

Like Liv, I'm not a fan of artificial, either. But I wouldn't use stevia with abandon, anymore as I would use other "natural" sweeteners like cane sugar, maple syrup, honey, or even fruit with abandon. I think safety/healthfulness of any food depends on moderate use.

[Georgiana]

Re: splenda vs stevia

Sucralose has been found to cause diarrhea; organ, genetic, immune system, and reproductive damage; swelling of the liver and kidneys; and a decrease in fetal body weight.

There are a few questions I'd have before trusting the source (of course, that's just me). Were the studies done on humans or animals (I see in the reference that is was animals)? What was the quantity of sucralose used?

For example, some studies done on animals have shown that a low carbohydrate diet may cause heart disease. Do we trust them? One of the main argument against these results was exactly the fact that they were done on rats.

As far as I know, there are few studies on stevia, too. Just because it comes from a plant it does not automatically make it safe.

I wouldn't use stevia with abandon

I agree with you, Megs. Even though SweetLeaf and liquid stevia have no net carbs, I only use stevia occasionally and, when I do, I always follow the "maximum 3 packets/servings per day" rule.

[Aways2Go]

Re: splenda vs stevia

I trust stevia as a natural product more than I trust splenda. I do try to use the stevia (both liquid and powder form) more than I use splenda. I try not to use either one to excess. There are few studies done on stevia because as a natural product, no company stands to gain the profits off of it like they would some artificial concoction. Now they have started adulterating it with other additives, etc, and making their own "formulas" out of it to sell, which I find totally unnecessary and do not purchase. I purchase the most plain versions I can locate. The fact that stevia (the essentially plain version, not these new concoctions using it) has been used for long periods of time by some populations does give me some comfort.

That said, I do find splenda "easier" to use sometimes because you don't have to worry about getting such a bitter taste if you overdo it, etc. And I honestly do think splenda tastes more like actual sugar. However, I also keep in mind that no one said sugar was the only measuring stick to judge by, perhaps it is a learned taste, so if I continue to not use sugar and to sweeten occasionally with stevia, maybe my tastebuds will re-learn and want to judge sweetness by how much something sweet tastes like stevia, LOL!

And as mentioned, all things in moderation.

[not2late]

Re: splenda vs stevia

I trust stevia as a natural product more than I trust splenda. I do try to use the stevia (both liquid and powder form) more than I use splenda. I try not to use either one to excess. There are few studies done on stevia because as a natural product, no company stands to gain the profits off of it like they would some artificial concoction. Now they have started adulterating it with other additives, etc, and making their own "formulas" out of it to sell, which I find totally unnecessary and do not purchase. I purchase the most plain versions I can locate. The fact that stevia (the essentially plain version, not these new concoctions using it) has been used for long periods of time by some populations does give me some comfort.

The adulteration is what worries me the most about any natural product. Does anyone remember a herbal tea made from kava? It became very popular and fell out of favor quickly when it was shown to cause liver damage (I think it was liver damage.) Anyhow, that was because some kava tea manufacturers included the kava stems and other toxic kava plant parts. So good plant + unscrupulous manufacturers = bad thing.

[Shrew2u]

Re: splenda vs stevia

The adulteration is what worries me the most about any natural product. Does anyone remember a herbal tea made from kava? It became very popular and fell out of favor quickly when it was shown to cause liver damage (I think it was liver damage.) Anyhow, that was because some kava tea manufacturers included the kava stems and other toxic kava plant parts. So good plant + unscrupulous manufacturers = bad thing.

Good anything + unscrupulous manufacturers = bad thing...see: various Chinese manufacturers of pet food products, certain Chinese milk suppliers to manufacturers, description of turn-of-the-century American industrial meat processing practices in The Urban Jungle, Peanut Corporation of America.

The more processed an item is, the greater the possibility of contamination. I'd be a happy Shrew if I could have a farm to raise my own fruit and veg and reasonable access to a Glatt butcher and a reputable mom-n-pop Italian deli. Barring that, it's pretty awesome that in this WoE, I can rely upon food that is either whole when I buy it or sourced and processed locally. As to the whole Splenda v Stevia debate, I have no substantive contribution. Snarky comments aplenty, but nothing to throw in that's peer-reviewed and published.