it starts out as a tropical plant but different suppliers do different things with it so I've had some that's just plain nasty. It often takes two packets where one saccharine pack would do.

In any case, it's sweet but not the sweetness you're used to if you've used saccharine for a while. You may or may not get used to the aftertaste it often has.

I don't know of any known or suspected health effects from the stuff, but saccharine has been pretty much cleared too. Splenda would by my sweetener of choice, but I still can't really trust it has no side effects.

I find it kind of bitter and off-putting. It's definitely healthier than Sweet & Low, however. I have a box of stevia-based sweetener in my pantry. I tried a different brand, hoping it would be better than the other brand I tried. No such luck. It only gets used when I run out of whatever else I am using.

There is a new sweetener out that's made from monk fruit called "Nectresse". It comes in an peachy-orange package. It tastes MUCH better than stevia, and probably comparable as far as "more healthy" goes. I like it a lot. It's pricey, but the cost is comparable to that of the brands using stevia. Also, a little goes a long way.

Use it sparingly, and it's fine. Over-use it and it can be somewhat cloying.

She's correct about Stevia being healthier than Sweet & Low.
I also avoid Aspartame as it has an aftertaste and gives me a headache.

However, any sweet that you consume will only create a craving for more sweet. Because sugar becomes fat and substitute sugars mimic the same chemical reaction in the body. If you want research let me know. Stevia is very sweet based on my experience when I used it, I did so sparingly. Ask your girlfriend to just stick her finger in whatever you need sweeter and then tell her it is way better than either sugar substitute. Let us know how that works out for you. Peace.
LMSP

I'd rather have my Vernors made in Detroit with Stevia.

First and foremost Stevia is a plant just like Sugar Cane. So Stevia is all natural and is processed into a 'sugar' product the same way as Sugar is. The other sweeteners like Sweet & Low, Nutrasweet and Splendia are all chemically processed.

I will be the first to admit that all Stevia does not taste the same. Older Stevia products did have a bit of an earthy taste but there are plenty out there that sweeten without giving something a funky taste. My favorite is Trader Joe's Stevia. I also like Stevia in the Raw products too - my favorite Coffee Shop uses that but you do have to ask for it.

The problem with Stevia is people use it like sugar. You put a Tsp of Stevia in a product you're using way too much. Usually a 3rd tsp is the normal serving of Stevia. Some products actually add extra filler so you can use the same quanitities of Stevia as you do Sugar.

I use to use Splenda all the time til I read about issues with Splenda and weight loss and found that using too much splenda may inhibit my ability to lose weight. I still use Splenda from time to time if Stevia is not available but my first choice is Stevia and I"ve started to pack a few packets of it to take with me should I buy a coffee somewhere other than my usual location.

RUMSFELD made millions between his Rethug government jobs by lobbying for Aspertame to get it out of the FDA logjam it had been in for years because of its hazards. Like a core Rethug he didn't give a whit about health dangers so long as there was cash to be made.

When Splenda first hit I thought it was a good alternative, but then found out it is HALF SUGAR.

I gave stevia another chance and I use the cheapest one with 80 green packets for $3+, and it dissolves fine, although it takes 3 packets for a serving to have a (barely) detectable difference for me.

HIs name was Stevia Ray Vaughan. Helluva guitar player! Gone too soon!



Bake

I like it a lot.

was of it cause they have had it in Japan for 30 years. He said it had not caused any health problems there.