stevia

[Guest guest]

Hi there. Is stevia a legal sweetener? A nutritionist told me that it

is an excellent alternative to saccharin. She said the affects of

saccharin are questionable and most likely damaging.

Just looking for something other than honey!!!

Alison

[Guest guest]

Alison,

Here is post by Marilyn about stevia.

Marilyn Alm is writing a forthcoming cookbook about the cuisine of New

Orleans.

Mimi

Stevia * caution * (list) Stevia is an herb native to South America,

and is now grown and cultivated throughout the world. Stevia belongs

to a family called Terpenoids. According to The Organic Constitutents

of Higher Plants by Trevor , 2nd edition, page 158, " This

class of glycosides (terpenoids) often have physiological effects on

mammals and microorganisms. "

Elaine has noted on the adult listserv that, " Its molecular structure

resembles a steroid. It is not SCD legal. " However, on the Elaine's

Children list, she indicated that it might be used in strictly limited

quantities for those children who absolutely cannot tolerate either

honey or saccharin.

Powdered stevia should be approached with extreme caution. At least

one manufacturer of organic stevia includes " erythritol " which they

claim is a " natural free flowing agent " . Erythritol is what is called

a sugar alcohol. Sugar alcohols include things like mannitol, xylitol,

and sorbitol which are used in a lot of commercial " sugar-free " stuff.

They're allowed to get away with that because normally, our guts can't

digest those sugar alcohols. But the bad bugs in our guts can, and

will have a field day on them.

If you elect to use stevia as a sweetener, read all ingredient lists

very carefully, and research all ingredients. " All natural " or

" organic " does not mean " SCD Legal. " If you are using stevia, and do

not appear to be gaining any ground on SCD, it would be strongly

recommended to eliminate the stevia for several weeks and keep a food

log.

-- Marilyn (New Orleans, Louisiana, USA)

> Hi there. Is stevia a legal sweetener? A nutritionist told me that it

> is an excellent alternative to saccharin. She said the affects of

> saccharin are questionable and most likely damaging.

> Just looking for something other than honey!!!

>

> Alison

>

>

>