Safe Sugar Alternatives

Part 2 on sugar subsitutes covers safe alternatives to sugar. The only sweeteners I now use other sugar is Stevia and Xylitol.

Stevia is the leaves of an herb and member of the chrysanthemum family which grows in Paraguay and Brazil. It is 30 times sweeter than sugar, but has 0 carbs and 0 calories. It has been used by the Guarani Indians of Paraguay for hundreds of years. Here is more information on Stevia.

Xylitol is a naturally occurring sugar found in the fibers of many fruits and vegetables, and is a five-carbon sugar alcohol. It was first derived from birch trees in Finland in the 19th century as a safe sweetener that wouldn't mpact insulin levels. It has no aftertaste and is advertised as safe for diabetics because sugar alcohols have less impact on blood sugar than regular sugar. One teaspoon of Xylitol contains 9.6 calories and 0 net carbs/ One teaspoon of sugar has 15 calories and 4 net carbs. Xyliyol is also said to help prevent tooth decay.
Here is what Wikopedia has to say about Xylitol.

I have used both Stevia and Xylitol separately, and personally I prefer a product containing both of them called Xylitol Plus. I think Stevia alone has a slight aftertaste, or maybe it's just because it is so sweet. Xylitol used in large quantities can cause temporary diarrhea. But together they make a very good tasting and safe sweetener, and you can also bake with either of them.