Diabetics have to keep a watch on their food intake to prevent the sugar levels from spiking. Having something sweet can be a nightmare and diabetics need to control their sugar consumption. It is becomes essential to substitute sugar with other alternatives that don’t spike sugar levels in the blood. Artificial sweeteners can help in controlling and preventing diabetes and associated complications.
Earlier, sugarfree was the only artificial sweetener available but in recent times, Stevia has also gained immense popularity. Let’s have a look at both the alternatives and which one is a better choice.
Sugarfree
Sugarfree is being used for years in Indian households for diabetes management and keeping weight in Check. Sugarfree is available in powder and tablet form and can be used in Tea, Coffee, and other items such as sweets and desserts. It has been widely accepted by people as one of the best sugar substitute. Sugarfree contains Sucralose and Aspartame. It offers the desired sweetness without adding to the calories unlike sugar.
My parents are diabetic and we have been using sugarfree for Tea and Coffee for years. In fact, we have also made Gajar halwa and Barfi using sugarfree. The taste differs a bit but it still serves the purpose and most importantly, helps manage diabetes. Apart from diabetics, it is a great choice for people that keep a watch on their weight and avoid sugar for several other health benefits.
Stevia
In the recent years, Stevia has emerged as an alternative to not only sugar but also other sugar-free products. Many studies have been performed that state how artificial sweeteners can have harmful effects on our health in the long run. Stevia has been around for more than 1500 years, but it gained popularity in the recent years. Stevia is a natural ingredient as it is extracted from plants. In fact, it is said to be 10 times sweeter than sugar.
Experts say that Stevia can be an essential part of a healthy lifestyle and solution to several diabetes and obesity related issues. Stevia is a zero- calories natural sweetener that offers immense benefits to diabetics. It is comparatively safe as it is backed by thorough scientific research and studies. Regulatory agencies across the globe have verified the purity of stevia extracts and they are safe for human consumption. Stevia can be consumed by pregnant women, children, and diabetics. Some studies claim that Stevia can successfully control sugar levels but also help controlling blood pressure, decrease cholesterol and has anti- inflammatory properties.
Verdict
Stevia seems more promising as compared to artificial sweeteners in the long run. It is safe and does its job well. It might take some time for more and more people to accept Stevia and replace sugarfree with it. However, some change can be witnessed as some brands are offering sugarfree sweets and confectionery made from Stevia.
However, be it sugar or sugar substitute, moderation is the key! Just like the consumption of sugar can be dangerous, overindulgence in any artificial sweetener can be harmful. Till more research establishes some facts, it is better to use them in moderation. The idea is to add some sweetness to the beverages and sweets but not over-consuming them like we used to add sugar.
It is recommended to add 1 teaspoon or 2 grams of Stevia to a cup of Tea. Stevia is available in both powder and liquid concentrate forms. For 1/4th teaspoon of Stevia, 6 to 9 drops is sufficient.
Share about your experience with sugar substitutes and which one you find better.
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So, I have had a chance to work in a stevia manufacturing company 5 years back outside India. It’s a pretty decent replacement of sugar, but everything depends on how sensitive your taste buds are. I have tried a lot of Stevia brands too but Magicleaf Stevia has worked the best for me and my uncle. My uncle is diabetic, I tried stevia just to cut down on Sugar. They have some good stevia blends for making cakes, cookies and sweets. I don’t like the sweets version but Magicleaf Perfect Bakes is a great product, so anyone having a diabetic family member can try it. The glycaemic index is 0 and it provides a good texture. If you are only looking for only making tea and coffee, then Liquid Stevia can be a good choice too. The great thing about Magicleaf, as per their advertisement, is that they grow and manufacture it themselves in India, which is rare, it is not China imported. Other brands that are also decent are Zevic and So Sweet.
Please do not use Sugar Free, it is dangerous in the long run even for diabetics, because they use chemicals. Even if you don’t want processed stevia, stevia leaves can be good choice for sweetening tea, coffee, and other beverages, but Sugar Free, please say no to it. Their marketing is good, but no the back, you can see they use artificial sweeteners like aspartame, which are highly dangerous in long run.
If you want to know more, let me know. I’d be willing to help.