There are five non- or minimally nutritive sweeteners compatible with the Cureality lifestyle that have proven to be benign and useful in our recipes. The safe and knowledgeable use of sweeteners allows us to re-create tasty cheesecakes, cookies, and pies without the problems associated with conventional sweeteners.

Definite sweeteners to avoid include sucrose (table sugar), agave, and high-fructose corn syrup, all substantial sources of fructose. Honey and maple syrup, while natural, also contain a substantial proportion of fructose, so should be used sparingly. We avoid fructose due to its potential to increase visceral fat, increase triglycerides, and failure to suppress appetite (because of its unique liver metabolism pathway).

The majority of people who are wheat-free experience heightened sensitivity to sweetness and desire for sweeteners of any sort diminishes over time. Sweeteners are therefore meant to be used sparingly, adding only enough to make your recipe slightly and pleasantly sweet. You may therefore need to adjust the quantity of sweetener used in recipes to suit your palate. Also be aware that an occasional person experiences increased appetite with the use of any sweetener and may need to be extra careful with use of sweeteners, even avoid their use.

Stevia

Stevia plants are naturally sweet, often called “sweet leaf.” Some people grow the plants and chew the leaves for their sweetness or add the leaves to recipes.

Stevia is available in pure liquid or pure powdered form. It is also widely available as powdered forms combined with other ingredients, such as erythritol, xylitol, monkfruit, inulin, or maltodextrin to add volume or to mimic the look and feel of sugar. Maltodextrin is the one additional ingredient to stevia preparations that should be avoided, as it raises blood sugar.

Some people experience a bitter aftertaste with stevia. This can be minimized by choosing the stevia glycerite form, choosing products using the rebiana isolate of stevia such as Truvía (combined with erythritol), or combining stevia with other sweeteners such as erythritol, monk fruit, or xylitol.

The quantity required to equal the sweetness of sugar varies from brand to brand. Two drops of the Stevia Clear sweetener from the SweetLeaf brand, for instance, equals one teaspoon of sugar, while some other brands require five drops for equivalent sweetness. Most preparations will provide advice on what quantity matches the sweetness of sugar on the product label.

"Sweetness" is a subjective measure and often varies for each person.  Here are four other less well-known "safe-sweeteners" that you may find to more closely suit your personal taste.

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