Cutting back on sugar.....sugar substitutes ?

IKE

IKE

Well-known Member
Location
Oklahoma....U.S.A.
I use regular white granulated sugar in my 3-4 cups of coffee in the morning and my two big glasses of ice tea daily and I'm wanting to start using a artificial sweetener and from looking around there must be 8-10 or more different brand names....I'll also be cutting way back on edible sweets.

I'm not locked in yet to any one brand name but I'm leaning towards Stevia because it's supposed to be a "natural" plant substitute sweetener....is anyone using Stevia and does it have that terrible artificial sweetener aftertaste that normally goes along with sugar substitutes ?
 

Try to make an effort to reduce/eliminate sugar without trading one potential problem for another.

Nothing wrong with using a half or quarter spoon of sugar as you gradually eliminate it.

Having said all of that I use small amounts of Splenda for baking, seasoning fresh fruit, etc… but many people are horrified by the thought of it. I started using it as a concession to the restrictions of a diabetic diet.

Good luck!
 
Artificial sweeteners "trick" the brain into wanting more. It's far better to try to just cut back on your sugar consumption. I've been using artificial sweeteners containing Aspartame as an ant repellent/killer in the Summer....works good,

Besides, if you watch people at the grocery store, the Obese always seem to have "diet soda" in their cart.
 
Aunt Bea said:
Try to make an effort to reduce/eliminate sugar without trading one potential problem for another.

Nothing wrong with using a half or quarter spoon of sugar as you gradually eliminate it.

Having said all of that I use small amounts of Splenda for baking, seasoning fresh fruit, etc… but many people are horrified by the thought of it. I started using it as a concession to the restrictions of a diabetic diet.

Good luck!
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Aunt Bea I'm Type II.

IKE - how much sugar do you add to coffee and tea?

Twostep a level teaspoon in coffee and probably twice that or so in my ice tea.
 
IKE said:
I use regular white granulated sugar in my 3-4 cups of coffee in the morning and my two big glasses of ice tea daily and I'm wanting to start using a artificial sweetener and from looking around there must be 8-10 or more different brand names....I'll also be cutting way back on edible sweets.

I'm not locked in yet to any one brand name but I'm leaning towards Stevia because it's supposed to be a "natural" plant substitute sweetener....is anyone using Stevia and does it have that terrible artificial sweetener aftertaste that normally goes along with sugar substitutes ?
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I started not to answer this question, since I haven't used Stevia, but twice in the past 2 years, I've had a UTI, and both of those came after daily use of artificially sweetened powered drink mixes. I will never know whether or not artificial sweeteners caused the UTI's, but I won't use them again.

I still use powdered (lemonade flavored) drink mixes, but I went back to using regular sugar when mixing them. At first, I used 1½ cups of sugar for a 32 ounce pitcher, then gradually decreased the amount of sugar with successive pitchers until reaching ½ cup of sugar per pitcher. My taste adapted along the way, and I'm now I'm satisfied with using only that amount.
 
Yes, I use Stevia and Splenda, I have found that Stevia does have somewhat of an aftertaste so I mix Stevia and Splenda for my coffee....I'm not a diabetic, just very close.. trying hard to avoid it and sugar is the main culprit, no matter what anyone says....the numbers don't lie. Do some research.
 
If you use Stevia, read the label. Some Stevia is cut with dextrose and other things. Look for pure Stevia.Organic if possible.
Allulose seems to be the new thing. I like it. You have to use more but I like the taste.
I use erythritol here and there but I don't think I'll replace it when it's gone.
We grow Stevia, dry it, and I make a tincture. I use that the most.
I would also recommend you gradually cut down on sweeteners in general but good luck in your quest!
MHO, stay away from Splenda and all the ones in packs at restaurants. I bring my own Stevia packs.

I think all sweeteners are generally safe and necessary for diabetics, but just not too much which is the exact same thing with sugar.
 
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IKE said:
I use regular white granulated sugar in my 3-4 cups of coffee in the morning and my two big glasses of ice tea daily and I'm wanting to start using a artificial sweetener and from looking around there must be 8-10 or more different brand names....I'll also be cutting way back on edible sweets.

I'm not locked in yet to any one brand name but I'm leaning towards Stevia because it's supposed to be a "natural" plant substitute sweetener....is anyone using Stevia and does it have that terrible artificial sweetener aftertaste that normally goes along with sugar substitutes ?
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I've tried Stevia sodas years ago when my sister with diabetes was visiting here. It is more natural but it definitely has that gross aftertaste that I've always hated. I don't use any sugar in my coffee, but I do use a lot of Coffee Mate creamer.

I think Aunt Bea has very good advice, better to cut way back on the regular sugar to a smaller amount, use a measuring spoon if it makes it more easy and doable. Good luck.

I've been drinking Spindrift flavored seltzers in cans, they sell them at Kroger and Safeway, no sugar, good taste, healthy seltzer drink. I like the Blood Orange Tangerine and the Lime best, but the other flavors aren't bad.
 
I think I've become used to the taste of stevia. I don't get the aftertaste anymore but I also don't use a lot. A squirt in a glass of tea.
The Zevia Sodas were way too sweet for me, but mixed half and half with a Spindrift or La Croix works.
 
I phased out sugar in my coffee over a few weeks. Now I don’t use it.

When I bake cookies (not a frequent occurence) I cut the recipe sugar amount by 30%. Nobody notices that. Not even one person, Not ever. If something needs sweetening I sometimes will add a bit of sugar and bit of an artificial sweetener. Rarely. Works for me. Might work for others.
 
I've used Stevia (drops) in the past. It's not too bad, takes a little getting used to. I use Sweet-n-Low, which I've used for years. When I run out, that's when I'll pull out the Stevia.
 
My thanks to everyone that took the time to reply....much appreciated.

Went to the grocery store with mama a little bit ago and while there I picked up a 40 packet box of Truvia-Stevia for $3.36....the 80 packet box would have been a better value cost wise but I didn't want to get stuck with a lot of it if I end up not liking it.

I'll give it a taste test later with my ice tea and again in the morning with my coffee.

truvia.jpg
 
I wasn't fond of stevia when I tried it, but that was many years ago so it might be sold in a better form/mixture now.

I use the blue packet sweetener, aspartame, and I don't notice any negative effects. I think the fear mongering about it tricking a person's brain into wanting more is ridiculous, if it does I can't notice it, but real sugar and refined carbs do have that effect very strongly.
 
I don’t mind Truvia. It smells like cotton candy and is as sweet as cotton candy. If I need a substitute that has the same texture as sugar then I’ll use it but generally I prefer to use honey or maple syrup.
 
HoneyNut said:
I use the blue packet sweetener, aspartame, and I don't notice any negative effects. I think the fear mongering about it tricking a person's brain into wanting more is ridiculous, if it does I can't notice it, but real sugar and refined carbs do have that effect very strongly.
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Exactly - this might be an effect for some people but certainly isnt universal.

My husband and I both have drinks with aspartame and he uses Equal sweeteners in coffee - we don't notice any wanting more food or cravings effects and I eat no more food than before switching.

This is another trial and error individual thing - try them first and see if this is the case for you. If it is, dont use them

If it isnt, no problem.
 

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