Hi all

I was given a bottle of Stevia by mum who is a huge fan of Sandra Cabbot's Syndrome-X diet. Anyway has anyone here used it? I was looking it up on Wiki and they mention how it actually improves insulin resistance which is great as I have a fairly severe borderline diabetic insulin resistance.

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

But what I need ot know is how much to use? Ie if a recipe calls for a cupe of sugar, what would that be in stevia equivilant? Also, if anyone has used it, did they notice an improvement in their insulin restisance and weightloss?

Thanks

I've had it in beverages before, it comes in a crystal form as well, one packet of Stevia = 1 packet of sugar. It seems to me to have the same nasty aftertaste/weird diet taste of other fake sugars like Splenda and Aspartame (both of which give me migraines), so I've stayed away from it since.

The bottle should have a table saying what it's sugar equivalent should be, no?

I've heard stevia like other sweeteners is sweeter in the same proportion as sugar, so I would use less. But I think if you google it, you'll probably find someone who has figured it out.

I've used stevia once or twice but to be honest, I'd rather just do without the sweetener in my drink or use raw sugar. But really, I just avoid whatever may have it.

I absolutely hate the liquid extract, if that is what you have. I have some that I wanted to try years ago long before stevia became "all the rage". It was so bitter & strong I couldn't stand it, and the aftertaste was horrid!

But now, I use powdered versions. The taste is so much better and I prefer it over any art. sweetener any day. There are some really good ones out there. I prefer the ones that say they're not bitter on the package. The latest one I bought is "In The Raw" brand, it comes in packets or a bag that's equivalent to 5 lbs of sugar, you measure cup for cup like sugar. So far it's pretty good.

I thought In The Raw was raw sugar. What is the calorie count on the packaging for it? I am currently using Truvia but am not completely happy with the taste..PLUS it has MSG in it.

Yeah, I don't like truvia either.

In the raw does have raw sugar but this is stevia made by the "In the raw" company.
The calorie count is 0 but I suppose it has some calories because it has maltodextrin in in to bulk it for cup for cup measuring. It comes in a green package. Here's the link to the site.

I cant remember if I can quote other sites or not, please remove it if this is against the rules.

thx for the info! sounds like a good option..I also like xylitol but have to be careful of getting too much of it...

Thanks so much for this info. I am an ex-equal "addict" who misses it badly. It will be good to learn about something new uto try and that there r different versions.

I use Stevia and Xylitol, the Stevia drops and the powdered containers.

Stevia is a nice alternative to sugar, it's sweeter than sugar and it's derived from a plant in Paraguay.

I admit when i first tried it, the after-taste was not great, but you kinda get used to it after a while. I use it in lemonades and teas. Yum! Haven't baked with it though :|