Original email for context: I would prefer to use stevia, but the problem is that I can’t seem to find one that actually taste good. Can you recommend one that taste good and that doesn’t leave a bitter after taste?
I will try my best to notate out a few ideas.
Many stevia do indeed have a weird bitter aftertaste. While it does seem to require a taste-bud adjustment regardless, there IS a big difference in flavors and aftertaste of the many stevia brands though, so it may be worth trying some of what I mention below.
Liquid stevias, especially liquid flavored stevias, seem to have less of a weird aftertaste than powdered stevia.
Re powdered stevia:
When my favorite powdered stevia (that I use EVERY SINGLE DAY for like years) that did not have the bitter aftertaste of many brands, began to be processed differently and I no longer liked it, I went on a search for my new favorite stevia – and guess what, there was only 1 that was even close to my previous favorite powdered stevia.
Trim Healthy Mama Stevia – 1 oz bag – you can small bag to try and if you like they also sell a larger 4 oz bag at a savings (they do not sell this on amazon btw). I tried quite a few powdered stevias – the best selling brands on amazon, and I did not like any of them, and this is coming from someone who has been using stevia daily for like 8 years now.
Liquid Stevia
As I mentioned, these seem to have less strange aftertastes overall no matter what brand, over powdered. I’m not sure why. Here is a clear liquid stevia to try by one of the best tasting brands of liquid stevia’s and my favorite flavored ones as well.
- Sweetleaf Clear Liquid Stevia
- Grape liquid stevia
- Chocolate liquid stevia
- Watermelon liquid stevia
- 5 Variety Pack – cheaper smaller bottles – Caramel, Chocolate, Vanilla, Coconut, Plain
Flavor Enhancers – a little more “real” tasting
There is one more option as well that is even more tasty/palatable to the general populace, and that’s Stur Flavor Enhancers – these have stevia, but they also have small amounts of fruit juice and natural flavors so that it tastes more like a regular sweet item instead of so stevia-ey (new word for dictionary anyone?)
My favorites:
- Fruit Punch Flavor – 5 pack. This is my favorite flavor.
- Grape Acai flavor – 5 pack. My also most favorite flavor.
- 5 Bottle Variety Pack
You just put a couple of squirts into a 1 quart jar of water. I also add a little more plain stevia to mine to sweeten it further- but I have a sweet tooth. A squeeze of lemon makes it even more divine.
ERYTHRITOL SUGAR-FREE SWEETENER
This sweetener is a sugar alcohol and has a few calories but overall is considered a sugar-free, almost calorie free sweetener. I would be okay using it in small amounts during P2, but it’s not something at this point I would say to use daily in larger amounts without risking weight loss issues. You can try but just definitely pay attention and gauge how you seem to be reacting to it. Because it can kind of effect your digestion and make you have the runs or gurgles in larger amounts and because of what I mentioned previously about it, my preferred way to use it is combined with stevia- this again creates a more “real” sweet taste that more people would find acceptable, while at the same time, keeping the use of the erythritol fairly minimal.
So as example of exact amounts, in a smoothie, I typically use 1 tsp of erythritol, combined with however many shakes of powdered stevia it takes for the sweetness level I like. I try not to use more than 1-2 tsp of erythritol at a time in any one serving I give myself. Just my own decision. Not a rule!
Here’s a couple brands of erythritol that I use in my own life from non-gmo sources:
- Swerve Erythritol – granular- good for hot beverages where the granules will melt
- Swerve Erythritol – confectioners – better for cold foods
- Swerve – pack of 2 – one each of confectioners and granular – at a savings than buying each separately
- Pyure Brand – granular
If you try these options and still don’t like them, then I’m out of suggestions for ya, sorry! I can say that I used to hate stevia as well and over time, but continuing to use it, my tastebuds just changed, and now it’s my mainstay in life.
