Is Stevia a good normal sugar alternative?

[jenny25]

I want to cut back on the amount of sugar that I consume, so I'm looking for sugar alternatives. I really don't like aspertame and sweet-n-low and I'm not big on honey. I'm thinking about giving stevia a try, but just how natural is this product? Is it safe? Will the taste satisfy me like sugar does? I'm really on the fence about this one. I've heard both good things and bad things. I'd really like your thoughts on this one.

[speeddemon]

I don't mind Stevia. I definitely prefer it to aspertame and other artificial sweetners. That said, it does take some getting used to. It does have a verrrrry sweet taste, but not in the same way as refined sugar. Some people find this off-putting. I was a little on the fence at first with it too, but eventually I acquired a taste for it.

[madscientist]

Stevia is definitely better than apertame, sucralose and other artificial sweetners. I would say that it is the best sugar alternative. It is an herb and it has zero calories, so it is natural, which is great. Also, you don't really need a lot of it. Stevia is WAAAAAy sweeter tasting than sugar. The only real issue I have with it is that is has a metalic aftertaste that I'm not too wild about. However, as long as you don't care about this aftertaste, I really think it's the best sugar alternative if you want something sweet but need to cut back on the amount of sugar you consume.

[Penny]

I think Stevia is the best alternative, too. I wouldn't made a steady diet of it, but this can be said of any sugar really. My biggest problem wit it is I just find it's waaay to sweet (i don't like the flavor of its sweet) and I also really find find the metalic aftertaste disgusting. I know not everyone can do this (e.g. if you are a diabetic, etc.) but I honestly have just learned to control how much normal sugar I ingest in a day and make sure i don't overdo it. Eventually, you get used to eating less of it and you crave less of it, too. I'm not saying it's easy but it is achievable if you find you just can't stand sugar alternatives.

[bigbobby]

I really like Stevia. It was weird at first but I got used to the flavor and it's all I use now. I've pretty much cut out all refined sugars out of my diet. I would recommend giving it a shot, especially if you really want a 0 calorie sugar alternative that ins't aspertame, etc.

[bruceH]

Personally I think Stevia is gross and I think people rave about it more than they should. Simply because it's a 0 calorie sugar alternative doesn't mean it's good for you. It also doesn't mean it's good for weight loss.