Truvia/stevia??

[maksmom]

I have been put on a "no concentrated sweets" diet by my ob, due to the fact that I barely passed my 3 hour glucose test, in addition to the concern that the baby boy had consistently measured in the 95th percentile for his size. So, no big deal, I can do with out sugar if I have to, but I do miss my sweet fix every once in awhile.

I have always tried to avoid artifical sweetners while preggo or nursing, but I'm curious about Truvia. I did some googling, and it looks interesting. Does anyone have any thoughts?

If I did use it, it would be on a very limited basis, only one to two packets a day. Maybe in some plain yogurt with berries, or in some decaf coffee.

[cc1003]

Stevia, Xylitol, Agave Nectar...those are some natural sweeteners that come to mind. I happen to think that Stevia is disgusting, but it is safe and natural!! Hope that helps.

[MadHatter]

I use Stevia. I have the dropper bottle and put some in my tea. You only need like 2 drops b/c it is very concentrated and if you use too much it gets bitter.

[JudyJudyJudy]

I would try agave nectar first, but I'm pretty biased. I had a horrible reaction to stevia. After having the reaction (why didn't I think to do it before?), I researched it and found out that it is a close relative of ragweed. Since I'm very allergic to ragweed, it makes sense that I'm also allergic to stevia.

[maksmom]

So agave nectar won't raise my blood sugar and is ok to use while pregnant?

[Michele]

http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA400431/Is-Agave-Nectar-Any-Good.html

[JudyJudyJudy]

Oh, damn. Thanks, Michele.

but the reviewers cautioned that pregnant women should avoid it because some species (more than 200 have been identified) contain anordin and dinordin, steroids with contraceptive effects that could lead to miscarriage

[maksmom]

Great link. Thanks. Do you know if it is ok while nursing? It sounds like a great sugar sub for weight loss, which I'm sure I'll need in a few months. ;)

[JudyJudyJudy]

Most websites I'm seeing say that stevia shouldn't be used during pregnancy, either.

[JudyJudyJudy]

Some of the sites outright say not to use stevia. This one is isn't as straightforward. I wouldn't be comfortable using it.

http://www.swedish.org/110955.cfm

Animal tests and the extensive Japanese experience with stevia suggest that this is a safe herb.5,6 Based primarily on the apparently incorrect belief that stevia has been used traditionally to prevent pregnancy,5 some researchers have expressed concern that stevia might have an antifertility effect in men or women. However, evidence from most (though not all) animal studies suggests that this is not a concern at normal doses.

[maksmom]

Thanks Judy, the sites I looked at did not say anything about pregnancy, but then again I did not add pregnancy to my search criteria, duh...

[JudyJudyJudy]

What do you eat on a regular basis that requires sugar? I'm currently on a diet (for health reasons) where I can't eat sugar, either, and I'll admit that I'm craving sweets. I wouldn't consume artificial sweeteners like aspartame and sucralose even if they didn't make me sick; besides, they're contraindicated on this diet anyway because of the chemicals. I haven't tried the agave nectar because I'm allergic to so much, and I know that I'm allergic to stevia, so I'm very limited. I'm going to make a dessert with heavy cream and organic berries tonight and see if that helps.

[cc1003]

What about xylitol?

[maksmom]

I do like the occassional candy bar and I love a bowl a cereal. But I can give up a candy bar, and I picked up some Kashi 0 sugar cereal today, and with some berries or necatarines I think I'll be happy. I try to eat some yogurt and oatmeal, just about, everyday, and plain yogurt and oatmeal with just some fruit added, well let me say that I really want a sprinkle of sugar to go with it. I also miss it in my decaf coffee, not that I have that everyday.

Isn't honey supposed to be better for your bloodsugar? I may just use a tsp of honey once in awhile.

[JudyJudyJudy]

What about xylitol?
It may a good alternative for maksmom; is it safe for pregnancy? I haven't tried it because the only time I've ever tried sugar alcohols in the past, they made me feel sick.

[JudyJudyJudy]

mak, if I were choosing between honey and sugar, I'd go with honey. It does have a little lower glycemic index than typical sugar. Also, your body basically uses all of the honey. Only you can decide what you think is best for you, but if I were in your shoes, I'd use a little honey when I just had to have something but would limit myself on sweet foods in general.

[maksmom]

I am a little wary of sugar alcohols, because the last thing I need right now is MORE gastric disturbances, lol.

[sam011287]

i just bought Zerovia Stevia Natural Sweetener online! i highly recommend it..

go to www.zerovia.com

[StillSingingMom]

When I was on the gestational diabetes diet, I figured that for me personally, it was safer to occasionally use an artificial sweetener than to take in some sugar.

Do you have a blood glucose monitor? You may find that even sugar alcohols can have more of an effect on your blood sugar than you would think. Alas.

I found during my second pregnancy that FOR ME personally, the Mediterranean diet was extremely effective at controlling blood glucose levels. Of course, I exercised like a mofo as well. I never want to deal with diabetes again, it way incredibly sucked, and knowing that my baby's health was affected by every single bite of food I ate was really stressful.

If you are borderline, you might want to talk about a Med style diet with your doc. My dietician was adamant that a carb was a carb and it didn't matter- she had me on basically an Atkins diet, which I hated. But there are studies that show it works. I was always hungry (so hungry, I could cry. HUngry in the middle of the night. Hungry always.) and my sugar was always high. The Med diet didn't give me that agony.

[kohlby]

If you do use honey, just make sure to balance it out. Eat something high in protien at the same time and/or extra fiber. I still had my morning coffee - but I had eggs as well. Having cereal is a big bowl full of carbs. I have insulin resistance and there's no way I could do cereal. I am able to do more carbs later in the day, but morning is too tricky. Later on, I just make sure to balance it. An apple is full of sugar - but has fiber. I'd only have an apple if I had a piece of cheese with it. All juices were banned. I was on a lower carb diet while pg and am for life, but low carb doesn't mean no carb. It's about limiting carbs and balancing them out. (This isn't for weight loss for me. I gained 50 lbs during my last pg on a lower carb diet - which is less than usual. I gained 70lbs my other two pgs. I lose the weight by exercising a lot).

[Mommy2Ella]

I use Truvia in my tea every morning. I love it! I used to love Splenda, but I am so glad I switched to Truvia. I love the taste and it is FDA approved and considered safe for pregnancy. Truvia is the only stevia brand to have that label.