Stevia Herb

• Two low calorie sweeteners that are made from the stevia herb are Truvia and Sweet Leaf. The stevia herb comes from Paraguay, and is 250 to 300 times sweeter than sugar once it has been processed. Products made from stevia herb will include a conversion rate stating how much should be used in place of sugar. For instance, when you are baking with Truvia, you use 3/4 tsp. of Truvia in the place of 2 tsp. of sugar.
  
  

Splenda

• Splenda is a low calorie sweetener that is a derivative of sugar. Splenda has a baking version of the sweetener that is sold in a large bag at the grocery store. It is best to use Splenda in recipes that do no rely on sugar for substance, such as meringue, caramel and angel food cake. Splenda does alter the results you are used to seeing when working with sugar. When you mix Splenda in with liquid, it will fizzle and you will need to beat it longer than you normally would beat sugar. Also, Splenda products will cook faster, and need to be removed from the oven minutes earlier.
  
  

Whey Low

• Whey Low is a product that combines sucrose, fructose and lactose and is five calories per tsp. Recipes using Whey Low tend to cook faster, so normal baking temperatures need to be reduced by 10 degrees and watched closely to prevent burning. Whey Low has the benefit of increasing gut bacteria which helps absorption of vitamins and minerals that normally would not be absorbed, such as calcium.
  
  

Xylitol

• Xylitol is a sugar alcohol produced by many different foods such as mushrooms, corn, beets and even the human body after metabolizing. Xylitol is normally produced from birch trees or other hardwood trees when used for food. It contains 40 percent less calories than normal sugar and is slowly metabolized by the human body, and does not raise blood sugar. One of the most popular foods xylitol is used in is sugar free gum because it has a minty flavor. Because of this side effect, it is not the best to use for all foods.