Ingredients ?

[Matt'sgirl]

Hello,
I was browsing the recipe section and I'm not sure of some of the ingredients
could someone tell me about: stevia and splenda?
I'm only just starting and am wondering about these products.
Thank you.

[r.mines]

Stevia is a herb with a sweet-tasting leaf. The leaf can be refined into a white powder that's up to 30 times sweeter than sugar. I think it's also available in a liquid form. Consumption does not affect blood sugar level - it has virtually zero carbs. You should be able to buy it at a health food store.

I should add that stevia has a slightly licorice-like aftertaste, which not everyone likes (I don't).

Splenda is a low-calorie (and low-carb) artificial sweetner made from sugar. It tastes a lot like sugar and is stable at high temperatures. It also comes in powdered form for table use. I'm not sure of its availability in the States; you might have to mail order it.

Both stevia and Splenda are sometimes 'padded out' with a filler so that they can be used more like table sugar. There are carbs in the filler, which can quickly add up, so keep an eye on these.

Rachel

[agonycat]

Splenda is available in most grocery type stores in the states now in it's powered form. It's were the regular low cal sweetners are.