What's the best artificial sweetener?

[jekajekalynn]

I'm thinking about trying to lose several pounds, and I was wanting to know what is the best (and safest) fake sweetener you all use?

I don't use sweet n Low and nutrasweet cause of their more toxic nature. Splenda is 'meh". I just want a lower calorie sweetener that is safer then some of the other stuff and yet one that tastes more like sugar NOT 500 times sweeter then sugar which I think is a mistake of alot of fake ones. heh

TIA

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Agave nectar hands down.

It isn't aritificial--it is real, it is low glycemic (diabetics can have it). Use it in moderation of course.

It is liquid so it requires some trial and error in substitutions as you have to compensate with other liquids. You can google recipes though where folks already figured out the proper ratios in recipes.

Our Publix here sells it and it can also be found at places like Wild Oats, Whole Foods, and trader joe's.

My kids like to mix it with unsweetened coconut--darn near tastes like the middle of a mounds bar (or almond joy if you add almonds to it.)

I lost 17 pounds on South Beach and used Agave without issue for the times I needed a sweetened kick in something.

 

[Minniemama350]

What about stevia? It's supposed to be natural. Not sure about the taste. However, I think you are better off with real sugar in smaller quantities, fewer and farther between. Your body doesn't recognize artificial sweeteners. Studies are coming in that say you won't lose weight with them. I lost 30lbs on weight watchers. I didn't use sweeteners. I ate more fruit and veggies and in general more fiber. I did not crave the sugar as much. I pretty much didn't drink soda. Good luck!

 

[JoiseyMom]

What about stevia? It's supposed to be natural. Not sure about the taste. However, I think you are better off with real sugar in smaller quantities, fewer and farther between. Your body doesn't recognize artificial sweeteners. Studies are coming in that say you won't lose weight with them. I lost 30lbs on weight watchers. I didn't use sweeteners. I ate more fruit and veggies and in general more fiber. I did not crave the sugar as much. I pretty much didn't drink soda. Good luck!

I use stevia, and really like it. It is real, non chemical! I like stevia in the raw!

 

[lawsonsontour]

i agree....real sugar just in smaller amounts...

 

[motherhen17404]

I have been using Splenda for several years now, and I like it, but am kind of getting burned out on it. I do not like the flavor of it in hot things like coffee and tea. I just found a new sugar substitute that I like. It is called Ideal. Not all stores carry it because it is new. And right now it is very expensive when you compare it to Splenda, but I hope that will get better with time. Here is a link to their site.http://idealsweet.com/

 

[a1tinkfans]

I use splenda...............

 

[Christine]

I have been using Splenda for several years now, and I like it, but am kind of getting burned out on it. I do not like the flavor of it in hot things like coffee and tea. I just found a new sugar substitute that I like. It is called Ideal. Not all stores carry it because it is new. And right now it is very expensive when you compare it to Splenda, but I hope that will get better with time. Here is a link to their site.http://idealsweet.com/

This is xylitol (sp) which is what they've been using in gum and other products for a long time. I believe it is a sugar alcohol. I don't think it is unsafe but can cause some digestive issues in larger amounts.

 

[DarthKTrava]

Most times I just use sugar. Unless either Equal or Splenda is available.

Edit: I don't use sweet n low 'cause it's NASTY.

 

[kirbsam]

i echo stevia.

 

[2bearsmom]

I stay away from all fake sugars, sucralose is no different even though the marketing assures it is safe and just like sugar, it's far from it. I don't use much sugar, really two teaspoons in my coffee or tea in the mornings. I started buying organic agave necter and really like it. It's super sweet so I only need 1 tsp in my coffee ( 1 Tb is a serving). I tried Stevia but didn't like it at all, to me it had a fake sugar-like after taste and was too sweet for me, even using just a sprinkle from a packet was too sweet tasting.

 

[bicker]

Real sugar is one of the unsafe options IMHO, even in smaller quantities. There is more research showing how unsafe sugar is (in how eating too much contributes to diabetes and obesity), than any alternative.

I would strongly recommend you reconsider Sweet & Low. It is demonstrated among the safest of the artificial sweeteners and does a great job sweetening things.

Sucralose isn't bad, but there aren't quite as many decades of research showing that it is as safe as Sweet & Low.

I consider all the cheerleading for real sugar and the condemnations of the artificial sweeteners to be nothing more that fear-mongering.

 

[tink_n_pooh]

There is a ton of newer research that shows artificial sweeteners don't assist in weight loss and may actual cause more harm than good, or at least as much harm as sugar in equal amounts. I think the problem is that since people see that there are no or fewer calories they go over board.

Anyway, IMHO agave is probably your best option (over actual sugar)

 

[Free4Life11]

I use Splenda, but am going to try Xylitol -- this is the kind Jillian Michaels recommends. Stevia is also natural and fine, but personally I find it a little bitter. So I would use either Xylitol or Stevia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xylitol

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stevia

 

[npmommie]

Agave nectar hands down.

It isn't aritificial--it is real, it is low glycemic (diabetics can have it). Use it in moderation of course.

It is liquid so it requires some trial and error in substitutions as you have to compensate with other liquids. You can google recipes though where folks already figured out the proper ratios in recipes.

Our Publix here sells it and it can also be found at places like Wild Oats, Whole Foods, and trader joe's.

My kids like to mix it with unsweetened coconut--darn near tastes like the middle of a mounds bar (or almond joy if you add almonds to it.)

I lost 17 pounds on South Beach and used Agave without issue for the times I needed a sweetened kick in something.

I agree Agave Nectar...........all natural and you only need a small amount. I buy it at stop and shop or trader joes.

]Real sugar is one of the unsafe options IMHO, even in smaller quantities. [/COLOR] There is more research showing how unsafe sugar is (in how eating too much contributes to diabetes and obesity), than any alternative.

I would strongly recommend you reconsider Sweet & Low. It is demonstrated among the safest of the artificial sweeteners and does a great job sweetening things.

Sucralose isn't bad, but there aren't quite as many decades of research showing that it is as safe as Sweet & Low.

I consider all the cheerleading for real sugar and the condemnations of the artificial sweeteners to be nothing more that fear-mongering.

bolded red.........link for the research please

There is actually research out there that also says that over use of artificial sweeteners can lead to diabetes later in life as well as use of artificial sweeteners causing weight gain due to the reaction in the brain from the sweetness.

I think real sugar in moderation, and that is the key, small amounts is perfectly fine. the problem seems to be sugar is added to almost everything now, if you read labels, you will be shocked to see where sugar is that it doesn't need to be.
spaghetti sauce comes to mind, why put sugar in there???

anyway, i think the safest thing is all natural, but that is my opinion. I am not keen on using the fake chemical sweeteners.

 

[Angelhalo]

I've used Splenda for years and love it

 

[Free4Life11]

bolded red.........link for the research please

You ask for a research link, but he was stating his opinion (IMHO). Then you turn around and mention research, but provide no links....where are YOUR links?

 

[npmommie]

You ask for a research link, but he was stating his opinion (IMHO). Then you turn around and mention research, but provide no links....where are YOUR links?

oops reading too fast, missed that it was his opinion, my bad!

I will post the links, hang on a sec

 

[Free4Life11]

LOL hey now I want to find some links!

 

[Free4Life11]

I meant to ask, has anyone tried Truvia? I think it's pretty new and is made from stevia.