Stevia / alternate sweeteners recipes ?

[Wifezilla]

Sugar is sugar, especially to a diabetic, unfortunately.

THAT. And sugars that are mostly fructose are the worst.

 

[lorihadams]

I tried to do Sweetleaf in my coffee and blech. So I am just trying to really cut back on how much sugar I add to things and I am really trying to cut out processed foods cause I know they have a ridiculous amount of sugar and I am purposely trying not to buy things with high fructose corn syrup, I don't care what the commercials say that stuff is crap. I do still use sugar for my kombucha though and I have cut back the amount in my coffee by half.

Better than nothing, right?

 

[Wifezilla]

It is progress

 

[freemotion]

As long as your kombucha does not taste sweet, the sugar is all gone, converted by the scoby. Same with wine and other ferments. I back-sweeten with stevia after all the sugar is gone. These things don't impact me like other sugars do.

I think it is wise to pick a couple of things to avoid at a time, until you develop new habits and tastes. Then add another. Trans/hydrogenated fats, including mono- and diglycerides, are about the most poisonous. Soy is a close second for fast harm to the body systems that takes a long time to undo. HFCS is easy to avoid and still allows sweet things in your diet until/if you want to ultimately reduce or eliminate sugar. Any step in the right direction is good for you. I certainly took a few years to get where I am, and am still working on it! Commercial meats are the newest thing we are working on eliminating, and we are growing more veggies than ever.

 

[madbrain]

I pay it. The alternative for me is obesity, high blood pressure and out of control blood sugar. I only use it occasionally though so it doesn't cause a huge problem for my budget.

I don't have problems with BP or obesity, at least not at this time. My weight is higher than I would like, though but BMI is 25 which is considered OK. I have a very sweet tooth and I know too much sugar is not healthy. I may try to use half real sugar and half erythritol in recipes.

 

[madbrain]

freemotion,

I pay $22 for 8 oz of stevia, but it lasts me for several months.

I paid about $12 for 8oz of liquid stevia. And I expect it to last a long time. The stevia is affordable enough. But not consistent enough for banking.

I also have raw wildflower honey that cost me $90 for a 60# pail and a half gallon of pure maple syrup for $20. The last two last me a year....oh, I gave a gallon of the honey to my folks, and a bunch was used in making mead. I can't tolerate the sugar alcohols, unfortunately.

Really, some things are worth the extra cost, and when you consider what you are saving by making your own treats and drinks it really is quite cheap. When you consider long term health costs it is really nothing!

Thanks, but will skip the honey, even more calories than sugar ...
Stevia is fine for drinks. Just not suitable for baking. Even the powder isn't since you have to use so little of it.

 

[abifae]

I do not like stevia heated. i like it cold. Very good with creamy foods like yogurt and custard!

 

[freemotion]

Where did you get stevia so cheap??? Do tell!!!! Wait....is it the one with glycerine? Or the pure stevia extract? A lot of the ones I've seen "water" it down with glycerine to make it look cheaper. But if you are getting pure stevia extract for about half what I am paying, I want the address!

When I make a dessert that is baked, I use a little honey and some stevia. I make oatmeal cookies, brownies, cake, etc on occasion. They come out great. Even people who don't like "healthy" food like them.

Items that are fermented, like mead, no longer have calories from the honey if it is all fermented out.

 

[dragonlaurel]

I grew a few plants of stevia and dried then crumbled the leaves last year. Love it in my green tea.
Got 2 plants this year. I want to try making a liquid out some, for an experiment. Any tips?

 

[freemotion]

Someone posted about that a couple years ago....can't remember.....alcohol extract, maybe?