Which sweeteners are you using?

[Bassetmommer]

I am on a journey to discover the best sweetener for me and my husband. I love to cook and bake and I am learning a whole new level of cooking for CKD and diabetes. My question today is what, if any artificial sweetener do you use?

I am experimenting with Stevia. I actually have a plant I have grown but I find there is an aftertaste with using either a leaf or manufactured product. I bought years ago a box of "Truvia", but then got scared off because of what I read. Now I am reading that it is actually good to use and ok for the kidneys.

Agave is a great substitute for syrup use, but it does add calories. I also have used a product called "Sweet Leaf" which also has additives, but none that I can say are harmful.

I have attached a comparison chart. I am struggling with finding any evidence based research on the impact of natural alternative sweeteners and the kidneys.

I am looking for a product for cooking and baking. I do not consume "diet products" such as soda and I do not add artificial sweetener to my coffee. So this is a product I can add that will hold up for cookies, or cakes or (really hard to find) frostings.

kidney.org/news/keephealthy...

nowfoods.com/now/nowledge/n...

[Bet117 NKF Ambassador]

Hi Bassetmommer,

Hope your Thanksgiving was great!

In regard to your question, I use Stevia and have had no issue.

I cook with it and add it to tea if necessary.

Hope this helps..

Bet

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador in reply to Bet117]

HI Bet,

Thanksgiving was great. Is there a particular Stevia product you use and have you ever baked with it?

[Bet117 NKF Ambassador in reply to Bassetmommer]

Hi Bassetmommer,

I buy Stevia in packets at the market. I add it into foods as I would sugar. An example:

I taught my brother how to make mom's stuffed cabbage, so I would have water, lemon juice and 3 Stevia packets as part of the broth.

My feeling is that trial and error is the key.

I used to make dad cheese cake using Sweet and Low

( in the day) and it worked fine.

Hope this helps.

Bet

PS..I did answer your PM☺

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador in reply to Bet117]

Hi Bet....long PM back to you. Write when you can.

J

[Charlene_Coxhead]

Have you tried coconut sugar it's ok for kidneys but I'm not diabetic so not sure of the impact it would have there. I know coconut flour is good for diabetic as it's low in carbs as my sister made a birthday with it for her partner as he is type 1 diabetic. It's a drier flour so you use more eggs in recipes.

Have fun experimenting

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador in reply to Charlene_Coxhead]

I looked up coconut sugar. It is only very slightly less in the glycemic impact than regular sugar. But I am going to look at the flour.

Thanks for the information.

[Dunsouth]

Local honey. We use it for 90% of our sweetening. Bonus...my allergies have disappeared pretty much entirely. It does add calories, but that's why we stay active and workout at least 3 days a week.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador in reply to Dunsouth]

I use honey once in a while. It does raise blood sugar and it is expensive. Congratulations on it helping with your allergies. That's a total win.

[Hidden]

Stevia is recommended but I use raw, unprocessed cane sugar because it is natural . Just saying what works for me -- so far.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

My stevia is very natural.... I grow my own

[RWH28]

Eryrhritol closely mimics the taste of sugar. contains almost no calories.minimally affects blood sugar levels.

causes significantly less digestive problems than other sugar alcohols.

good for your teeth.