What is the best artificial sweetener?

biggestloser · 01-11-2013, 02:50 PM

I just made a cheesecake with a cup of Splenda. It tastes pretty good, but there's a super weird aftertaste. Any suggestions for a sweetener that doesn't taste like chemicals?

Omphaloskeptical · 01-11-2013, 03:05 PM

Based on what I've read and done in my own baked good, a combination of sweeteners always yields the least aftertaste.

Combinations of at least 2 of the following taste the best and do not have that weird aftertaste, in my experience:
Splenda (Sucralose - which is artificial)
xylitol
erythritol
stevia
(xylitol, erythritol and stevia are not artificial)

I personally really like the combination of erythritol and stevia (i.e. Truvia packets. You can buy each in bulk, make your own mix and save a lot of money.

clackley · 01-11-2013, 03:29 PM

I think it really depends on what you are making. For cheesecake, I follow Jamie (of 'the lighter side of low carb' fame) of 2 to 1 of cup erythritol to xylitol. Liquid sucralose is my favorite for most other things.

Becky · 01-11-2013, 03:37 PM

I like Stevia but have heard it is an acquired taste. Splenda was fine with me when I was using it with my last Atkins kick.

theLossgirl · 01-11-2013, 03:47 PM

I usually use liquid stevia.

solarpluvia · 01-11-2013, 04:00 PM

I've found that the aftertaste from splenda is not from the sucralose, but from the maltodexitrin they use to bulk it up. The liquid sucralose doesn't have that aftertaste. And maltodexitrin is carby.

marieze · 01-11-2013, 07:47 PM

Swerve!

Dredaye9 · 01-11-2013, 10:12 PM

Ezsweetz

Janknitz · 01-11-2013, 10:26 PM

I like erithrytol and xylitol, but I don't agree that they're "natural". They are highly processed, but IMHO much better than manufactured sweeteners. And to me, there's no unpleasant aftertaste like stevia, Splenda, etc.

lterry913 · 01-12-2013, 07:03 AM

I think a lot of the after taste is due to the fillers used in powdered splenda and any powdered sweetener. Try liquid sucralose(ez sweetz) and the problem is gone. I also believe in the combo method mentioned above...use multiple sweeteners and you get less of an aftertaste.

I think truvia in store bought form has less fillers...just erythritol and stevia...it works well in a pinch but can recrystallize after baking, sometimes giving food a sugary crunch.

Becky · 01-12-2013, 02:56 PM

I've had numbness in my hands and feet lately (for almost a month) and on a whim looked up "numbness in hands stevia" and sure enough it is a side effect! I do use too much, 4 packets per coffee (I love it sweet!) times 4 per day, plus a few packets per day in my made per glass lemonade. I'm quitting it for 2 weeks to see if that is really what it is.

MaryMary · 01-12-2013, 04:19 PM

I have been using the liquid flavored stevia bottles. I don't see an after taste so if it is coming from the maltodextrin, that would explain it.

CindyCRNA · 01-12-2013, 04:23 PM

Truvia!!

alonewithyou · 01-13-2013, 10:10 AM

I like liquid splenda for most things. I also like a mix of stevia, splenda and erythritol for all baked things.

spoiltmomof2 · 01-13-2013, 10:12 AM

I like liquid Splenda the best. To me Stevia has a really bad aftertaste. I think you just have to try them all out and see what you like best.

Bobbin · 01-13-2013, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clackley

I think it really depends on what you are making. For cheesecake, I follow Jamie (of 'the lighter side of low carb' fame) of 2 to 1 of cup erythritol to xylitol. Liquid sucralose is my favorite for most other things.

I use this too - as well as her cheesecake recipe! - none of my non lc friends could taste an artificial aftertaste.

alonewithyou · 01-13-2013, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobbin

I use this too - as well as her cheesecake recipe! - none of my non lc friends could taste an artificial aftertaste.

What does that mean? 1 cup x and 1 cup e? Won't that leave an icy taste?

ravenrose · 01-13-2013, 01:59 PM

yeah, if you can taste the Splenda as something other than just sweet, you are using too much.

01-11-2013, 02:50 PM	#1
biggestloser Senior LCF Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 94 Gallery: biggestloser Stats: High Weight 244 in Feb 06, Current:212/205/190 WOE: Atkins Start Date: December 18th, 2012	What is the best artificial sweetener? I just made a cheesecake with a cup of Splenda. It tastes pretty good, but there's a super weird aftertaste. Any suggestions for a sweetener that doesn't taste like chemicals?

01-11-2013, 07:47 PM	#7
marieze Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Lake Oswego, Oregon Posts: 1,820 Gallery: marieze Stats: 361/225/180 WOE: My way low carb! Start Date: July 11th 2003	Hands down.... Swerve!

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01-11-2013, 03:05 PM	#2
Omphaloskeptical Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 99 Gallery: Omphaloskeptical Stats: 5'7" - 236/225/short term 215/long term 150-159 WOE: High fat/moderate protein/low carb Start Date: January 1, 2013	Based on what I've read and done in my own baked good, a combination of sweeteners always yields the least aftertaste. Combinations of at least 2 of the following taste the best and do not have that weird aftertaste, in my experience: Splenda (Sucralose - which is artificial) xylitol erythritol stevia (xylitol, erythritol and stevia are not artificial) I personally really like the combination of erythritol and stevia (i.e. Truvia packets. You can buy each in bulk, make your own mix and save a lot of money.

01-11-2013, 03:29 PM	#3
clackley Chatty Cathy Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Toronto Posts: 12,999 Gallery: clackley Stats: 228.5/168/125 WOE: N.K.=vlc/hf/moderate protein & organic/pastured Start Date: Restart Oct 18 2009	I think it really depends on what you are making. For cheesecake, I follow Jamie (of 'the lighter side of low carb' fame) of 2 to 1 of cup erythritol to xylitol. Liquid sucralose is my favorite for most other things.

01-11-2013, 03:37 PM	#4
Becky Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: MA Posts: 2,893 Gallery: Becky Stats: 172.8/172.8/140 5'3" 46 years old WOE: Low carb/low glycemic Start Date: Start date: April 6, 2013	I like Stevia but have heard it is an acquired taste. Splenda was fine with me when I was using it with my last Atkins kick.

01-11-2013, 03:47 PM	#5
theLossgirl Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 951 Gallery: theLossgirl Stats: 144/131/129 (5'5") Age 44 WOE: HF/MP/VLCarb Start Date: Weight Loss start 6/12; Goal (first time) 8/12	I usually use liquid stevia.

01-11-2013, 04:00 PM	#6
solarpluvia Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Olympia, WA Posts: 109 Gallery: solarpluvia Stats: 220/175/140 5'5" 36yo WOE: HFLC Start Date: 3 July 2011	I've found that the aftertaste from splenda is not from the sucralose, but from the maltodexitrin they use to bulk it up. The liquid sucralose doesn't have that aftertaste. And maltodexitrin is carby.

01-11-2013, 10:12 PM	#8
Dredaye9 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 590 Gallery: Dredaye9 Stats: Sw171/cw113.5gw11o WOE: LC Start Date: 2010	Ezsweetz

01-11-2013, 10:26 PM	#9
Janknitz Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 1,754 Gallery: Janknitz Stats: 254/195/150 WOE: Low Carb High Fat, No Grains Start Date: June 16, 2011	I like erithrytol and xylitol, but I don't agree that they're "natural". They are highly processed, but IMHO much better than manufactured sweeteners. And to me, there's no unpleasant aftertaste like stevia, Splenda, etc.

01-12-2013, 07:03 AM	#10
lterry913 Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,515 Gallery: lterry913 Stats: 5' 11" 238/174/170 WOE: Atkins Start Date: 12/1/2010	I think a lot of the after taste is due to the fillers used in powdered splenda and any powdered sweetener. Try liquid sucralose(ez sweetz) and the problem is gone. I also believe in the combo method mentioned above...use multiple sweeteners and you get less of an aftertaste. I think truvia in store bought form has less fillers...just erythritol and stevia...it works well in a pinch but can recrystallize after baking, sometimes giving food a sugary crunch.

01-12-2013, 02:56 PM	#11
Becky Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: MA Posts: 2,893 Gallery: Becky Stats: 172.8/172.8/140 5'3" 46 years old WOE: Low carb/low glycemic Start Date: Start date: April 6, 2013	I've had numbness in my hands and feet lately (for almost a month) and on a whim looked up "numbness in hands stevia" and sure enough it is a side effect! I do use too much, 4 packets per coffee (I love it sweet!) times 4 per day, plus a few packets per day in my made per glass lemonade. I'm quitting it for 2 weeks to see if that is really what it is.

01-12-2013, 04:19 PM	#12
MaryMary Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Land of Patriots Posts: 5,664 Gallery: MaryMary Stats: Then 376 lbs / Now 154.4 lbs/ Lost 59% Body Weight WOE: GS NMW! Start Date: Jan 2001	I have been using the liquid flavored stevia bottles. I don't see an after taste so if it is coming from the maltodextrin, that would explain it.

01-12-2013, 04:23 PM	#13
CindyCRNA Always on, slightly off Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Midwest Posts: 5,269 Gallery: CindyCRNA Stats: 152/132/121 Currently 120's lbs, 5'7" 51 years old WOE: 40%/25%/35% (F,P,C 1700 calories/day) Start Date: Raising carbs 1/10	Truvia!!

01-13-2013, 10:10 AM	#14
alonewithyou Senior LCF Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 537 Gallery: alonewithyou Stats: 5'4, 150 lbs WOE: Atkins >20 carbs a day Start Date: September 2010/October 29-2012/January 10th 2013	I like liquid splenda for most things. I also like a mix of stevia, splenda and erythritol for all baked things.

01-13-2013, 10:12 AM	#15
spoiltmomof2 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: TX Posts: 510 Gallery: spoiltmomof2 Stats: 230/164/138 WOE: Lap Band/LC	I like liquid Splenda the best. To me Stevia has a really bad aftertaste. I think you just have to try them all out and see what you like best.

01-13-2013, 01:59 PM	#18
ravenrose . Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: California Posts: 9,071 Gallery: ravenrose Stats: lost 130 lb so far, and miles to go before I sleep WOE: low carb controlled calorie Start Date: June, 2009	yeah, if you can taste the Splenda as something other than just sweet, you are using too much.