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Anyone use Stevia as an alternative sweetener?


Just Kate
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I recently read this article about all of the fillers in stevia and how all types of stevia are not equal. I have been using Sweet Leaf stevia drops, but after looking more closely at the bottle I see that they contain "natural flavors" (whatever that means). I am curious to know what brand of stevia everyone else is using? Where do you purchase it?

 

One reason I'm concerned is that I have been having headaches in the morning after drinking my cup of coffee (containing stevia). I am wondering if those "natural flavors" are having a negative effect on me.

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I recently read this article about all of the fillers in stevia and how all types of stevia are not equal. I have been using Sweet Leaf stevia drops, but after looking more closely at the bottle I see that they contain "natural flavors" (whatever that means). I am curious to know what brand of stevia everyone else is using? Where do you purchase it?

 

I use Wholesome Sweeteners Organic Stevia. It contains Organic Stevia Extract, Organic Agave Inulin, and Silica. I buy it from my health food store.

 

One reason I'm concerned is that I have been having headaches in the morning after drinking my cup of coffee (containing stevia). I am wondering if those "natural flavors" are having a negative effect on me.

 

"Natural flavors" is often code for MSG. And MSG is known to cause headaches (and worse) for a lot of people.

 

Because of the way FDA regulations are written, certain food additives don't have to be listed separately on the ingredients list (e.g. actually listed as "MSG") if they're mixed with something else and the ratio is below a certain percentage (I had to research this for a health coach certification class I took a year ago - very eye-opening). There are at least 40 different ingredients that MSG is commonly combined with in processed foods, and manufacturers are increasingly leaving the term MSG or monosodium glutamate off the label because so many people are trying to avoid it now.

 

So yes, this could very well be the cause of your headaches.

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I didn't read the article yet, but I strongly prefer NuNaturals. I get the one without maltodextrin added as a bulking or flow agent. They sell one in a larger bottle that has maltodextrin or another bulking agent added, which makes it easier to measure, but I prefer the straight stevia. The bottle says NuStevia "pure white stevia extract." It is $13 or so for a teensy bottle at WFs, but you really only need the smallest amount to sweeten many things. I use it in combo with erythritol from global sweet when I bake. I just just the NuNaturals straight in tea, to lightly sweeten yogurt, etc.

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I recently read this article about all of the fillers in stevia and how all types of stevia are not equal. I have been using Sweet Leaf stevia drops, but after looking more closely at the bottle I see that they contain "natural flavors" (whatever that means). I am curious to know what brand of stevia everyone else is using? Where do you purchase it?

 

One reason I'm concerned is that I have been having headaches in the morning after drinking my cup of coffee (containing stevia). I am wondering if those "natural flavors" are having a negative effect on me.

 

 

I was curious because I just bought Sweet Leaf Sweet Drops. So I called the company. Per customer service there is no MSG in any of their products. Also no alcohol and no gluten. It's stevia, purified water, and essential oils used in the liquid stevia sweetner.

 

I always call the company and make them tell me everything in a product.

 

 

A friend of mine has tried pure stevia and every time she does she gets a bad headache. She can't have the stevia itself. Just a thought since it isn't MSG giving you the headache (unless from something else).

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I use krisda packets (which are much sweeter per packet than they say, at least to my tounge). The white powder is inulin, a clear dissolving non-thickening fibre supliment product. They also say "erythritol" and natural flavours. I wasn't expecting that... Looks like I've got some research to do.

 

I also have SweetLeaf 'tabs' which have only cellulose listed as added ingredient -- but they seem to leave just a touch of grit. They are also much sweeter to me than the manufactuer seems to think they are.

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I didn't read the article yet, but I strongly prefer NuNaturals. I get the one without maltodextrin added as a bulking or flow agent. They sell one in a larger bottle that has maltodextrin or another bulking agent added, which makes it easier to measure, but I prefer the straight stevia. The bottle says NuStevia "pure white stevia extract." It is $13 or so for a teensy bottle at WFs, but you really only need the smallest amount to sweeten many things. I use it in combo with erythritol from global sweet when I bake. I just just the NuNaturals straight in tea, to lightly sweeten yogurt, etc.

 

This is exactly what I use and how I use it.

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I use SweetLeaf brand. I use the pure extract powder (no fillers at all) for baking mostly. I also use the packets (added inulin fiber) and the drops, which a PP points out don't have MSG, and the 'tabs' which I absolutely love for hot coffee.

 

I think different people metabolize Stevia differently. I am very happy that it tastes good and works for me. I know some people don't like it because it has undertones of licorice (but I happen to like licorice, and I'm so used to it now I don't notice), or it seems bitter (I think whether or not it tastes this way is something akin to whether cilantro is wonderful or tastes like soap - people do have different taste receptors). I have a friend that can't perceive any sweetness at all from Stevia, which is bizarre to me, but maybe it shouldn't be because I am completely unaffected by caffeine (y'all are just making up this 'caffeine keeps you awake' thing - aren't you?). It could be you're sensitive to something in the Stevia itself (it is just a plant, as easy to have a sensitivity to that as to any other food), or maybe to one of the essential oils they use to flavor the drops??

 

I would never buy Stevia with any of those bulking agents like erythriol or maltodextrin, and I am really grossed out by the brands that add silica (you know, the stuff that comes in the 'don't eat this' packet) right into the stevia itself. Whole Foods and TJs brands both do this. :confused1:

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I would never buy Stevia with any of those bulking agents like erythriol or maltodextrin, and I am really grossed out by the brands that add silica (you know, the stuff that comes in the 'don't eat this' packet) right into the stevia itself. Whole Foods and TJs brands both do this. :confused1:

 

I agree with you on the erythritol and maltodextrin, but the silica is safe from what I can tell. Silica is actually a trace mineral in the body (just like zinc and iron) and it's found in various plants, herbs, and vegetables. It's even sold as a mineral supplement and has various health benefits.

 

The silica used in desiccant packets is made synthetically and often has other chemical additives that make it unsafe for consumption.

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I was curious because I just bought Sweet Leaf Sweet Drops. So I called the company. Per customer service there is no MSG in any of their products. Also no alcohol and no gluten. It's stevia, purified water, and essential oils used in the liquid stevia sweetner.

 

I always call the company and make them tell me everything in a product.

 

 

A friend of mine has tried pure stevia and every time she does she gets a bad headache. She can't have the stevia itself. Just a thought since it isn't MSG giving you the headache (unless from something else).

 

Thank you so much for that info! I feel like such a goof...I never even thought to call the company to see what their natural flavors are.

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Okay, now that's just cool. What climate does Stevia thrive in?

 

 

I have found out that stevia does not work well in home made ice cream. Nope. Sigh.

 

According to Wikipedia, Stevia thrives in tropical and sub-tropical regions from Western U.S. to South America. I live in Delaware; however, and can grow it just fine. It doesn't get as large as it typically would in a warmer climate, but it still typically grows to about 2 1/2 - 3 feet each summer. The only things I use it for are herbal/fruit/veggie waters, tea and fruit salads. I've never tried it in a recipe.

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