Agreed on all counts. I get along with stevia, which points up how substitutes can work, or not.

A lot of the artificial sweetener choices out there are labeled to mislead people about the actual carb content. I find they will either upset my digestive system or create cravings.

For me, eating a Lily's chocolate square does not set off the cravings I would be expecting from many other low carb choices; but with sweeteners I know will not work for me. I rely on whey protein mixed in Greek yogurt, which also does not trigger cravings. But then, I have learned to choose my whey powders carefully, too.

Substitutes because it's better than the real POISON, no? Substitutes to kill a craving, not feed it. Like my lowcarb hot chocolate, which is cocoa, heavy cream, and hot water. That is sweet enough for me, because I like to have a good "sweet detector."

Carrots in tomato sauce are like candy to me now.