Amid concerns for artificial sweeteners, more products are coming into the bariatric world that contain either stevia or monk fruit, which are naturally derived sweeteners. Stevia is actually a shrub. Monk fruit is an Asian melon and may be listed as luo han guo on the ingredient list.

Several powder and liquid forms of water flavors now use stevia. These are easily available in grocery stores. Stevia can be plain stevia or listed as Truvia, which is a combination of stevia and erythritol. Erythritol is a naturally occurring sugar alcohol and will have a few calories. For powder forms of water flavors, look for the Crystal Light Pure and the Great Value version from Walmart. Crystal Light Pure does have four grams sugar per half-packet, so some patients may not be able to tolerate this product. In the liquid drop form, brands to look for include MIO with stevia, Great Value version, Skinny Girl, Sweet Leaf and Stur.

Add enough of these products to taste right for you. Too much can get super sweet in a hurry. For protein powders, look for Jay Robb and Syntrax Nectar Naturals. Even yogurts are joining in the natural sweeteners trend. Look for the Greek style yogurts Chiobani Simply 100 (has stevia and monk fruit) and Oikos Triple Zero (has stevia, look for black label). Experiment with different stevia or monk fruit sweetened products to see what you like.

Good information. However, please keep in mind that most of the cancer causing claims of artificial sweeteners have been debunked. Turns out they have never been proven to cause cancer in humans. In fact, manufacturers are not even required to put a cancer causing warning on these products anymore. In a nutshell what was found was that in studies artificial sweeteners caused bladder and urinary cancer in mice. However, it was later revealed that mice have a completely different urinary system than humans and the reason why they developed cancer is because of their unique urinary system. No such cancers have been linked in humans.

Also, keep in mind that "natural" does not equate to better or safer. Many naturally derived substances are poisonous or toxic.

All this aside, stevia and monk fruit show great promise as use in sweeteners.

I've tried several different stevia brands, but I always find that stevia leaves a bitter after taste. I am back with Splenda which to my palate is the most neutral. Hopefully I can find a brand/process for stevia that is not so bitter.

I don't like the after taste of stevia, and I struggle with splenda.

Weeks ago I stopped using Equal. Mainly because it can stimulate sweet cravings.

Got used to Stevia, and now only use it for a sweetener, mainly in my coffee.

My sugar cravings have stopped!

My blood sugar levels are not roller-coasting anymore!

Stevia is now my best friend in my weight loss journey

Stevia made me sick so I switched to organic coconut sugar.

Thanks for sharing this! I can't have anything with sucralose (Splenda) because it gives me a terrible migraine. I love stevia & erythritol.

Hey, more options for me! Aspartame tends to trigger my migraines, and I've had the same problem from Splenda. I'd love to find more monk fruit sweeteners, personally, but it looks like we're headed in the right direction. I also use cinnamon to sweeten some things, like plain yogurt. My palate has been adjusting after surgery, and I find lots of sweet things, especially artificial sweet to be cloying.

Are stevia sweeteners allowed on the 2 week pre-surgery diet?