Is Stevia a Better Choice?

I'm concerned about the artificial sweeteners in the beverages I drink now.  My Crystal Lite, Diet Snapple, Protein Drinks and sugar free syrups all have either Aspartame or Sucralose, and so does the Equal or Splenda I use in my hot tea.   I try to ge****er in, but it still doesn't fully sit well with me. 

Anyone know if there are any benefits to buying Stevia instead?  Is it better for you?  Does it metabolize the same?  Does it still taste good?

Thanks!

I did a little research because my aunt told me last summer that stevia was bad for you.  The side effects taht go with Stevia are making you feel full and lowering blood sugar.  At the time I was pre-op and thought, perfect side effects!  the problem with Stevia is I don't like the way it tastes. I've used the liquid and didn't care for it.

I can't drink straigh****er either, so I stick with sucralose almost exclusively.  But if you like Stevia and don't have any issues with low blood sugar, i don't see why it would hurt you.  

Please note, I am not a doctor, so if you have major concerns ask your doctor! 

Thanks for that, Deanna - great tips.  I think I'll put it on the grocery list and see if I like it or not.    

Anyone else have any thoughts about Stevia vs. Sucrolose?  (I try to avoid Aspartame whenever I can.)

Hello, I bought the stevia liquid and the granules, I think the granules taste much better.

Cheers flaxie

Forgot to add, if you want a protein powder with Stevia, there is Jay Robb which I like, but I like this one better: BodyLogix Natural Whey

They sell it at GNC and Walgreens. When Walgreens puts it on sale it is like $22 for a big container. Walgreens regular price is cheaper than GNC too. They also make one that is all isolate, but you need to buy that on the internet.

Ah stevia.... I have tried many brands in the name of science...hahahaha. Skinny girl has a liquid one you can get in a lot of places that I think is pretty good. Powdered this is the best I have found so far- Nu Naturals, GNC or the Internet(don't care for their liquid) NuNaturals

Just started using Sucralose again... bought the liquid, because even though the powdered is zero calories, it does have carbs and it can add up if you use multiples.... anyway according to the low-carb websites ... SucraDrops

The one I use for baking is Swerve. It is pricey, I can buy it locally or on Amazon. They have a confectioner's sugar one I buy on Amazon.
Swerve I pay $7-9 at my local Stop n' Shop in the health food section (depending if it is on sale)

Lastly for the Brown Sugar taste I use Brown Sugar Truvia. It does have some molasses in it. But it is moist like real brown sugar not Granular.
Brown Sugar Truvia I also buy that in my local Stop n'Shop by other sweeteners and it is cheaper than that Amazon price.

So is it really healthier? I don't know...but I figure it is healthier to be thinner, so whatever works.

My dietitian recommends Stevia and claims it is a better choice, but I don't have a scientific explanation for you. I don't mind the taste. You just have to be really careful because using too much makes it taste bitter. I try to limit my sucralose because high levels can be harmful, but there is no real data showing that low levels are harmful, just a lot of speculation.

Thanks Maria!

It tastes very bitter to me. My suggestion is go to a kinda health food coffee shop and pick up a drink and try it. 

Unfortunately, to me stevia leaves a taste of licorice and I hate licorice.