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Stevia


stevia
I adore agave nectar, however, there are times when I want something sweet and don't want to increase my blood sugar level. This is when I reach for stevia, an herb 300 times as sweet as sugar with a glycemic index (GI) of 0.

This low glycemic, low carbohydrate sweetener is widely used in Japan. In the U.S., the sugar lobby has long fought to ban this miracle sweetener; it is currently classified as a dietary supplement, though not as a food additive. Take note, that in Japan, stevia accounts for 40% of the sweetener market and is used in everything from colas to candy.

Stevia comes in various forms. You can buy it as a tincture or powder. The only drawback to stevia? It sometimes has a slightly bitter, licoricey aftertaste.

I tested at least half a dozen stevia products and found astraya stevia to have the best flavor and to be reasonably cost-effective. To purchase astraya stevia, click on the image of the bottle.

During these chilly days and nights, I enjoy a few drops of stevia in a piping hot cup of tea!


6 comments leave a comment

  1. DEAR SIRS /MADAM :

    WE ARE A CHINESE STEVIA SUGAR PROUDCER , IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN THE STEVIA PRODUCTS , PLEASE COTNACT ME.

    WITH REGARDS

    SCOTT /

    JINING YICHAGN STEVIA PRODUCGS CO.,LTDS

  2. Obese

    The government wants us to use sugar and chemical sweetners for our own protection rather than a safe natural healthy alternative.

  3. JENNIFER

    I use Stevia Extract in the Raw and LOVE it! I highly recommend this product for sweetening your drinks as well as baking. Check out their site - they have some recipes on there too! http://www.steviaextractintheraw.com

  4. AMelia Egerer

    Do you have dairy free, no fruit, no gluten or yeast recipes with stevia as only sweetener?

  5. Avoiding Sugar During the Holidays — Wasabimon! @ wasabimon.com/archive/avoiding-sugar-during-the-holidays

    [...] out refined sugar, consider natural sweeteners for yogurt, coffee, etc. Great alternatives are stevia, honey and agave [...]

  6. brigitte

    i've been on an anti-candida diet the past two months, and in so doing have discovered stevia, xylitol and yacon syrup (agave is prohibited on the diet as it is still processed by the body as a sugar). i never imagined i could have my cake and eat it too - my voracious sweet tooth is satisfied, and my blood sugar is stable, no more afternoon lulls. i adore your site and would love to see more recipes using these sweeteners!

  7. Pat K

    I would love to see recipes using stevia as the sweetener as I also have diabetes. You are terrific, as are your recipes, both on line and in your book. Thank you!

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