I'm going to have to give up Splenda for a while and my Doctor doesn't want me to use Equal either. I believe I may have an allergy to these substitutes.

Does anyone have good information they can share with me about Stevia? I know nothing about it, except that it is a natural sweetener substitute. I'm not even sure where I can purchase it or how it can be used.

I'm thinking my first stop with be GNC (General Nutrition Center health store). Any advice would be appreciated.

I have used it in the past. You have to be careful because it's sweeter and it doesn't take as much.

They have it in liquid form or in little packets. I have ordered it online and also purchased it at Whole Foods. I think I even saw it at the grocery store one time (over in the health foods section) but can't be totally sure.

Personally, I don't like Stevia. I like xylitol better.

I've read that it can have a licorice taste which I would hate. I guess I'll go off splenda for equal for the time being.

I haven't experienced the licorice taste. I used it quite a bit during my initial weight loss and thought it gave good results. I never baked with it, just used it on oatmeal and tea and things like that.

Did you use the liquid or the powder. Some reports I've read say the liquid is less bitter. I haven't tried to shop for it yet. I'm making my corncakes tonight and using splenda. I'll probably be sorry but I'm afraid the equal will get bitter when I fry the cakes.

I had the powder. Mine came from sweetleaf.com but I don't think they're in business anymore.

I'm a fan of SteviaPlus - it's way sweeter than many other fake sugars and using too much can leave a bitter aftertaste. FYI Sweetleaf.com is still in business - they have recipe ideas at their website, too.