Which sweetener do you like best?

[maryannie]

I'm curious, I'm trying to find a good sweetener. I usually use stevia but don't like the bitterness to it. I have used xylitol before and it doesn't bother my system once I get used to it. What sweetener do you all like best that is not too expensive and low in carbs? Where can you get it? I'm not sure where I can even buy any of these different sweeteners, we don't have much for natural food stores where I live.

[Desertthorn]

Re: Which sweetener do you like best?

I am a Splenda gal myself, but I find that I use different sweetners for different things. When you get to yogurt level, try stevia in it, it's really delicious.

[maryannie]

Re: Which sweetener do you like best?

I wonder how safe Splenda is though, I was concerned about that.

[locarbman]

Re: Which sweetener do you like best?

I'm curious, I'm trying to find a good sweetener. I usually use stevia but don't like the bitterness to it. I have used xylitol before and it doesn't bother my system once I get used to it. What sweetener do you all like best that is not too expensive and low in carbs? Where can you get it? I'm not sure where I can even buy any of these different sweeteners, we don't have much for natural food stores where I live.

Hi maryannie,

I like making my own liquid stevia, 2 ounces (18 teaspoons) of NOW Brand Stevia Extract that I order online from Vitaglo.com mixed in 1/2 cup NOW Brand Vegetable Glycerine also available from Vitaglo.com for a solution which measures 1 cup sugar equivalence per 1/4 teaspoon and doesn't require refrigeration as the glycerine is naturally antibacterial. It takes several days heating and stirring occasionally before all of the stevia goes into solution. 1/8 teaspoon in my 16oz mug of coffee is perfect for what I call my 'coffee syrup' ;-)

I also like making my own liquid sucralose mixing a $38 2 ounce packet of Quick Sweet Sucralose Powder available online from ahfni.com in 1 cup less 2 teaspoons water for a solution which also measures 1 cup sugar equivalence per 1/4 teaspoon but needs to be refrigerated. I use this half and half with liquid stevia in my homemade ice creams for that synergistic sweetening effect...

I have just found that Neotame Powder is now being sold at ahfni.com for $48 per ounce and have placed an order. It is 13 1/3 times sweeter than Sucralose Powder (Neotame 8000 times sugar, Sucralose 600 times sugar). I plan to mix 1 teaspoon Neotame Powder in 7floz water for a solution which also measures 1 cup sugar equivalence per 1/4 teaspoon and needs refrigeration...can't wait to give it a try...

Happy Sweetening... ;-)

PS: I've been using liquid stevia and sucralose (Splenda) for 9 years now with no problems...the only sweetener that seems to be a problem for some is Aspartame, which I avoid... ;-)

[sallyseachange]

Re: Which sweetener do you like best?

Splenda and liquid saccharin are the ones I use.

[maryannie]

Re: Which sweetener do you like best?

Wow! Do you have a chemistry degree??? I think ice cream would be great to make, my husband buys low carb ice cream bars but they are soooo expensive. Do you have a recipe?

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Which sweetener do you like best?

>>I wonder how safe Splenda is though, I was concerned about that.>>

What exactly is your concern? And where have you been reading that it isn't safe.

It's been safe, and tested, in Canada for over 20+ years ... and The Joint Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)/World Health Organization (WHO) Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) have endorsed the safety of sucralose (Splenda).

If you're reading "stories" about it on the Internet, make sure you know the agenda and the $$ behind the website.

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Which sweetener do you like best?

>>my husband buys low carb ice cream bars but they are soooo expensive.>>

These aren't allowed on Induction anyway.

And ... low carb junk food is still junk food.

[Elizellen]

Re: Which sweetener do you like best?

You can make your own induction-legal icecream.

Doing a forum search for 'ziplock bag' icecream should find some recipes.

[locarbman]

Re: Which sweetener do you like best?

Wow! Do you have a chemistry degree??? I think ice cream would be great to make, my husband buys low carb ice cream bars but they are soooo expensive. Do you have a recipe?

LOL! I was a chemistry major in my undergraduate years at UCLA and was a management engineering consultant with hospitals in Iowa and Nebraska for 10 years, providing efficiency studys, etc.

Here is my favorite ice cream recipe that I use in my 'new' 2qt Cuisnart ice cream maker:

Basic Sugar Free Syrup Ice Cream Recipe:

2c Heavy Cream (13.2 carbs)
1c DaVinci, Atkins, or Torani Sugar Free Syrup, choice of many flavors (0 carbs)
2c Sugar equivalent sweetener (1/2t Liquid Splenda or Liquid Stevia is 0 carbs) I use 1/4t of each ;-)
2T Vegetable Glycerine (0 carbs)
3T Lecithin Granules (1.5 carbs) [or 3 egg yolks for a custard mix]
1/4t Xanthan Gum (0 carbs)
1/8t Salt (0 carbs)

You may wish to add 1/3c pecans and 1/3c SF chocolate chips or 1 cup of fruit to your ice cream.

I mix all ingredients in a 4 cup measuring cup with a hand mixer, place in a covered plastic container (4 cup size), let age overnight in the refrigerator (or use immediately ;-) and then place in my 1.5qt (or my new 2qt) Cuisinart ice cream maker and freeze. Makes ~4 cups of ice cream that will be spoonable days later, right from the freezer...only 14.7 carbs... ;-)

Hope this helps...

[Eno]

Re: Which sweetener do you like best?

Here's a great list of food additives and their safety from Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI).

It lists most of the common (and some not so common) additives, including sweeteners.

Food Additives ~ CSPI’s Food Safety

[maryannie]

Re: Which sweetener do you like best?

Much things I've heard so I've tried to avoid it. I am so happy to know it's probably safe because I really like it!

[maryannie]

Re: Which sweetener do you like best?

That food additives list is very helpful, I'll bookmark that one!

[yoda]

Re: Which sweetener do you like best?

>>I wonder how safe Splenda is though, I was concerned about that.>>

What exactly is your concern? And where have you been reading that it isn't safe.

It's been safe, and tested, in Canada for over 20+ years ... and The Joint Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)/World Health Organization (WHO) Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) have endorsed the safety of sucralose (Splenda).

If you're reading "stories" about it on the Internet, make sure you know the agenda and the $$ behind the website.

Um.. I believe there are more than just "stories" on the internet that tout adverse reactions that may be atttributed to splenda. Just because there is a website describing the possible negative effects of splenda, does not automatically mean that those behind the website are in a conspiracy to make money at splenda's expense. Maybe they just want to relay important information.

Now of course, a website could have an agenda, but it is not a given. Have you thought that a website that just touts how safe splenda is could have an agenda and be influenced by money as well? The same can be said on both sides of the controversy.

My advice is for everyone to do their own research, and not take anyone's word on it, and just see what they think.

Personally, I stay away from splenda, but eveyone should come up with their own educated choices...but they should be educated choices.

[liv]

Re: Which sweetener do you like best?

You can find similar agenda pages against meat on the internet. All kinds of silly people out there who have no need for facts.