Photo of Stevia plant from Pixabay
by Elizabeth Magee, LRD
Not everyone is a label reader. I ignore them sometimes or don’t check every time if it’s something I buy regularly. Lately, however, I’ve noticed some products indicating they’ve switched from artificial sweeteners to Stevia—or maybe they’ve always used Stevia but have decided to market that.
But why? That’s what’s running through my head, right now. I switched to Stevia, although I don’t remember why. It could be that it was cheaper, though I’d like to think I had better reasons.
I have to believe that more consumers are looking for natural alternatives to man-made products when it comes to things we consume.
Is Stevia a better choice? Let’s compare.
Stevia
- Plant-based – from the Stevia plant
- No calories 😊- could aid in weight loss for those seeking it
- For people watching blood sugars, it won’t raise them
- You can bake or cook with it – check on ratios if you're switching from something you previously used. Stevia is really sweet, like 200 times sweeter than regular sugar
- Pure Stevia is recognized as safe by the FDA
- Taste – in my opinion, it’s sweet. Some claim it has a licorice aftertaste, but I don’t notice that
- Eco-friendly
Artificial Sweeteners
(Equal – Aspartame; Splenda – Sucralose; Sweet’N Low – Saccharin)
- Made in labs
- Pretty much zero calories
- Some you can cook/bake with, some you can’t
- Depending on which you pick, 100-700 times sweeter than sugar
- Some cause headaches and/or stomach upset in some people
- All are considered safe in moderation
- Some can have a bad aftertaste, but again, it depends on the person
- Not as eco-friendly due to being manufactured in a lab
Those are the main differences, choose how you want!
I wonder all the time if I didn’t have diabetes, if I would use regular table sugar to sweeten my coffee and other things. But, growing up with a dental hygienist mom, I may not have due to cavity concerns.
Pick the one you like based on your goals, what is available to you, and what you like. Try them in different ways. I don’t think there’s a right or wrong here. It comes down to preference, and that’s pretty sweet! 😉
Elizabeth Magee is a licensed registered dietitian. Her posts appear monthly on OYT.
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Editor's note: For a deeper dive, visit the FDA's web page on artificial sweeteners