I don't use any substitutes but was planning on trying Stevia as it is all natural. There is a lot of information on google about Stevia and has some cautions.

I tried using stevia. Sometimes it was okay. Other times, I could not stand it. I compromised by using less sugar and only having one cup of coffee. I drink sweetened tea, but I fill my cup 3/4ths full of water and then add the tea. I need to do better, but I have not got it together yet. If you try stevia, you may need to try different brands as they do not taste the same. Let us know how it works for you. You may get me to do better if you find something that you like.

Ive tried stevia also about 8-9 yrs ago wasnt to pleased with it.... For my coffee & hot tea I use splenda but it seems to make me more thirsty I cant stand sweet n low... As far as equal I used to use it til i heard a lot of stories with how whatever equal is made of messing with one who has fibromyalgia like myself I quit using it.... But still drink iced tea that has regular sugar in it I havent found a happy medium I guess u can say... I need to get better as well although my readings hover between 150-170..... thx for your reply

Many sugar substitutes can raise your blood sugar as well. Google it there is lots of information about this. I was told recently the reason for it is because of the way it works in the gut. IDK if that is why or not, it wasn't a doctor or pharmacist that gave me that tidbit of info, but it is well documented that it can raise your numbers 5-8% which is pretty dramatic when every number counts. I switched to unsweetened tea many many years ago and haven't looked back. It is an acquired taste when you're used to sweet tea. I live in Oklahoma where we LOVE our sweet tea. And I'll be the first to admit that everyone's tea is different too. I only drink water at home flavored with MIO and when I go family functions or outings I try to stick to my MIO water as well. It's only when we go out to eat I'll get an unsweet tea. Also just FYI caffeine can raise your blood sugars as well. Been a diabetic for over 20 years now and when I was first diagnosed I read well over a thousand pages of information on this nasty monster. And even tho I had the knowledge back then, I had my young age working my mind thinking it wasn't that important, and now I'm paying for it in all kinds of ways. I'm not on insulin because my pancreas wore itself out. I have retinopathy that has required a few laser treatments, and shots in my eyes every 3 months, I've been hospitalized in ICU, and a heart attack. I'M ONLY 41!! So take it from me, it's not worth the unneeded sugar. Eat as close to nature as possible. Fresh is best, or frozen before canned. Sugar is better than any substitute, but serious consideration needs to be made when using sugar, such as is this really necessary? Is there any other thing I can use other than this to get the sweetness, such as pure honey (still will raise the blood sugar but it's a bit better than sugar), or anything else from nature I can use like a fruit? My point is there are many things we can use to trick our taste buds if we must. I just quit the sugar in my tea and I don't regret it one bit. I've learned to love ice cold flavored water and on some hot days just unflavored water is what I crave. Anyway.. God bless everyone and enjoy this Sunday. :)

I never tried sugar substitutes; most have been banned by now.
Sugar is natural and when I do use it I know its and my limits. Just like sea salt it better than sodium any day. I try to stay healthy in my approach, but I know I'd over do something if I denied myself a couple of teaspoons of natural sugar in a huge glass with tons of ice and a sprig of mint when it's unbearably humid and HOT!
Sorry I'm so late in contributing...lots of stuff/pain/issues going on here. I really do apologize.
I hope that this weekend is good for all. Take care.

Stevia for me. I had to try several different brands to find one I liked.

Just be sure when using Stevia it's not the form/type that can cause blood sugar issues. There are different forms of it and several can. I just use sugar. It's tried and true, and as iwontbackdown said it's more reliable in figuring your blood sugars. Everything with moderation. :) Have a blessed day.

i didnt know that certain stevia can cause blood sugar issues... What do you mean as Im new to learning about it because Ive tried it 9 yrs ago I think it was truvia that Ive tried back then I didnt like the taste it left....

If you already have low to normal range blood sugar stevia in some forms (not sure which since I don't use sugar subs) can lower your blood sugar and insulin resistance. It's not yet FDA approved for such, but some studies in rats are showing some great results in this area. If you live in parts of the world that use other forms of stevia other than what is legally sold in the US you could be exposed to the other forms. Just google it and I'm sure you can find which forms exactly. Just remember it has not been tested on humans yet, so any side effects are unknown.

I use regular sugar, but only in percolated coffee and that is only 1 teaspoon. In tea and instant coffee, I do not use sugar. It is not sugar that we have to worry about so much, it is the carbs. If you count the sugar carbs as part of your daily intake, then you should be fine.