Sweeteners and substitutions

[easytoforget]

Hi all,

I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions for a person like me who just cannot seem to come around to artificial sweeteners.  I am opposed to the taste and feeling produced by the artificial sweeteners I have tried.  I'm worried about long term changes because I know I will eventually want to venture into making and having desserts and sweet drinks again (I've almost exclusively done away with all sweets except for the occasional sf jello to take my vitamins lol yes, I'm like a child). I LOVE raw honey to sweeten tea and fresh fruits juiced in my home juicer, but have had none thus far. I don't know how to substitute these things.  Has anyone dealt with this? Any suggestions?

[umpa]

I do not use artificial sweetener.Mine are 100 % natural.They are xylitol which is birch bark and stevia which you can grow,Stevita and Sweetleaf Stevia are the best.

[easytoforget]

Thank you Umpa!

[umpa]

There is nothing we can't replace easytoforget If I don't know I will find it for ya!

[lowcarbrocks]

I am so happy to see this post, I wanted to stop using Splenda (my personal choice) anyway, Umpa where can I purchase these sweetners and can I bake with them?

[umpa]

Almost all grocery stores  and health food stores sell stevia.I like stevita or sweetleaf little packets the best.The stuff in a jar is too sweet for me.Truvia is just about everywhere too.The liquid stevia is really sweet too.
Xylitol you can buy from health food store usually by the vitamins.It is really good for your teeth.I buy mine in 15 pound bags because I write cookbooks to save money, but you just need a small bag .Netrition and amazon both carry it.
Netrition sells a sugar free honey that I love that is made with xylitol.And its in a bear! I use it everyday and I make elderberry syrup with it

[gpod97]

Umpa, how can honey be sugar free???

[umpa]

Its made with xylitol. It taste just like "real"honey.

[jersch]

What is the difference between Xylitol and Erythritol powder?  I bought a 1 pound bag of Erythritol powder from a local health food store to use as my sweetner substitute.  Is this much different then Xylitol?  Also, I just noticed my almond flour is blanched.  Is that going to be a big issue?  I will get unblanched next time, but want to use this bag up first if possible.  Total carbs say 6g per 28g serving.  3g fiber and 1g sugar, 6g protein.

[umpa]

Use what you bought it is fine.Its all a matter of taste. ;)Welcome Jersch! I am Umpa,Dougs wife if i can help you please ask.I have a column on the homepage called ask umpa where I can convert your favorite foods to Fat to skinny friendly.

[Marty]

Welcome, Jersch! Come have fun with us while you lose weight!

[Kim P]

Back when I was looking to remove sugar from my diet & unhealthy artificial sweeteners I tried it all.  Like Xylitol and Erythritol though the "itol" sweeteners can cause tummy distress sometimes.  My fav is liquid stevia.  Sweetleaf is the bomb and I order it on Amazon.  There are different flavors also like Vanilla Creme - YUMMY!!  Also chocolate & root bear ~ You can use the rootbear stevia in sparkling water to make root bear ~ Again Yummy!!  Anyways, I just wanted to share 

[umpa]

Stevia is great! I like to grow it and put it in salads

[Doug Varrieur]

My fav is also Sweetleaf I'm testing Sweetsfreez now  

[Barb sugarfree!]

where do I get the xylitol?