Why I don’t use Stevia and only use Real Sugar

Hi All,

I normally post a recipe, but today I thought I would share with you what I learned about myself when I went through my weight loss journey.  Now take it in mind, this is just about me and every body is different.

I wanted to share with you why I don’t use Stevia anymore and why I use only real sugar in my baking.  I get asked a lot, why do you use all that sugar and not just use Stevia or Splenda?  Well to answer that question, I can simply say it made me sick.  Yup, it’s true.  When I discovered Stevia, I was buying it by the pounds to use in cookies, smoothies and all sorts of recipes.  I was loving baking because it had no sugar in it. No guilt when I would eat 3 , 4 or 5 cookies.   I didn’t notice the after taste like a lot of people did.  But what I noticed is it made me obsessed with eating sweets.  I had it in my mind that it was healthy for me.  I felt I could eat as much as I want.  However, for over a year I felt like I had an empty stomach and I thought I was hungry.  Then my stomach issues progressed.  I was gaining weight like there was no tomorrow, which freaked me out.  I gained about 20lbs in a few months.  I went to the doctor and had a ton of tests done.  I even got tested for thyroid problems.  For 3 months, my doctor put me on 3 different kind of diets; vegetarian, gluten-free and dairy-free.  Here are the results:

• Vegetarian diet – I gained 5lbs in a month and had no energy and realized that this diet is not for me.  I needed my meat.  I also discovered I am allergic to soy.  I almost ended up in the hospital because of soy.
• Gluten-free diet – I gained 5lbs.  This diet was not for me, but I felt it was doable, if I had to do it forever.  I would just need to learn to eat more properly on it.
• Diary-free diet – I lost weight, and felt good.  If I didn’t have to give up cheese or butter, I could live a dairy-free life.

But still had that horrible feeling in my stomach.

I found out from my doctor I have a very slight tolerant to dairy products.  I can’t have ice cream, yogurt (only mixed with lots of fruit, I can have it) or things made with lots of cheese.  You know, those hot cheesy dips.  I can eat frozen yogurt, warmed milk in coffee and cheese, as long it wasn’t an over abundance amount as in cheese dips.  So thank goodness I can still have them.  But that horrible feeling was still in my stomach, these are my symptoms I was having.

• Gurgley stomach, which made loud enough noise to interrupt meetings at work
• I felt hungry all the time
• Craved sweets
• Occasional diarrhea (how embarrassing)
• Weight gain (I gained 20lbs in a couple of months, and that was with eating healthy and exercise)

So I thought what was the one thing all of these diets have in common?  Coffee, yes, but I can’t give up coffee.  Heck no!  I would die without coffee!  Then it hit me, Stevia!  So I stopped using Stevia.  Just dropped it cold turkey.  Guess what happened?  I lost 15lbs within 2 month and the stomach issues went away.  I feel wonderful now and even though I haven’t exercised as much as I used too, not even comparable, I am still at my comfort weight zone.  When I lost weight I couldn’t lose anymore and I believe that is where my body wants to be, and I am still there.  🙂  So now it’s all about being healthy, now that I know what I need to do.  I’ll share that in another post.

Now that I don’t use Stevia this is how I feel emotionally.

• When I do eat cookies, etc.. with real sugar, I am satisfied and I don’t need to have more.  Moderation is the key.
• I’m not hungry all of the time and I lost weight and is keeping it off
• I just feel generally more happier.
• No more complaints about the after taste in my baking.  Which makes me happier.

Now I know that some people have to use Stevia or Splenda etc.. I get that and I say do it, if you have health reasons or other personal reasons.  I am just sharing with you why I don’t use it.  I also am sharing this with you because one thing I love to do is bake and now my recipes have real sugar in it.  I also use honey and maple syrup in recipes whenever I can, to keep it more natural and less processed.  When I use sugar in recipes, I do try to cut it back, so if it is one cup, I’ll use 3/4 cups.  I try to make cuts wherever I can and also make the portions smaller.

If anyone has stomach issues like I said above, and you use Stevia, try to cut out of your diet for a month and see if it goes away.

One last thing, Please know I am NOT condoning sugar!  It isn’t healthy for you for reasons such as weight gain, diabetes, rotting teeth, no nutrients, bad for the liver, and so much more.  So please don’t think that I am.  I don’t use that much sugar, and try to stick to natural sugars such as in fruits, honey and maple syrup.  I just wanted to know that if I need sugar for a recipe, I use regular old granulated sugar or coconut sugar!

I know this is an odd post, but it is about being healthy and I am pretty open and honest and I felt the need to share this with you.

Have a wonderful day!

Toodles,

Jennifer

Photo taken from PopSugar