490308 Sat Feb 16 12:44:48 -0800 2008 2 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 3404449 I am no friend of artificial sweeteners, but I know there are people out there who need them for health reasons. I tried Wholesome Organic Zero http://www.wholesomesweeteners.com/brands/wholesome/Wholesome_Sweeteners_Organic_ZERO.html at the Fancy Foods show and it was the closest thing to sugar I have tasted. It is made of erythritol, which I have read doesn't have the same laxative effects as mannitol or xylitol. Sat Feb 16 12:44:49 -0800 2008 13564 Snackish 1 3410939 but what effects DOES it have? What effects does it have that we don't know about, and won't know about for years. The big question is: How does our body metabolize the things we put into it? When we put in artificial foods, or modified "foods" into our body, how badly does it screw things up? What about natural foods that have been raised on chemicals, petrochemicals, pesticides, herbicides, hormones, steroids? How nutritious do you think it's going to end up being for us? Mon Feb 18 17:56:01 -0800 2008 3404449 167161 ChefDude 2 3412612 I only use Stevia which is natural .........and it is GREAT. Tue Feb 19 08:33:06 -0800 2008 3410939 134710 taboo