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Stevia: The Calorie-Free SweetenerEasy Ways to Use a Natural Alternative to SugarStevia is a perfect substitute for sugar that can easily reduce the calories in many treats so that one may indulge without guilt.
Stevia rebaudiana is a plant from South America belonging to the daisy family. It is significantly sweeter than table sugar, thus making it one of the most powerful natural sweeteners available. South America and Japan have used the plant for years to sweeten a variety of foods. Countries such as China, Malaysia, Taiwan and South Korea all use stevia regularly in their diets and none have reported adverse health effects. This sugar substitute comes in a variety of forms: there are the leaves which can be chopped or dried and also a green stevia powder. Both tend to have a mild licorice aftertaste. White stevia powder and liquid concentrate are more popularly used in recipes and stocked by health food stores; these two refined forms are three hundred times sweeter than sugar and have little aftertaste. It is best to experiment with different brands since intensity can vary among white stevia powders. Generally, if there is less of the product packaged in a container, there will be more concentrated sweetness per serving size. A little definitely goes a long way. Anywhere sugar goes…Stevia is a great alternative for those who are attempting to cut back on sugar for weight management. It reduces the overall calorie count of many tasty treats, yet satisfies the need for dessert. The sweetener may be used in cookies, cakes, muffins and any other treat where sugar is normally used. However, it does not have to be reserved for baking alone; it can be added to anything that requires sweetening. Drinks of any kind, both hot and cold including coffee, tea, soda, smoothies, almond milk, etc. all benefit from the added sugar alternative. Stevia may be mixed in with sauces, soups and salad dressings to balance flavor. Ultimately, the natural sweetener makes it easy and fun to create healthy and delicious snacks. Simple Stevia Recipes:Citrus Pop:
Mix together. Serves two. Pop is a refreshing alternative to sugar-laden soft drinks. Chocolate Yogurt:
Mix until smooth. Add more cocoa and a bit more stevia if a richer taste is desired. This single serving gives a chocolate lover a healthy way to enjoy a normally sinful pleasure. Since people vary in their preferred cocoa to yogurt ratio, it is easiest to repeat the above in separate bowls for each new serving. The sugar substitute has so far proven to be safe. As with all things pertaining to diet, if used wisely and in reasonable amounts it can be a wonderful alternative for those looking to satisfy a sugar craving.
The copyright of the article Stevia: The Calorie-Free Sweetener in Nutrition is owned by Sarah Mojtahedi. Permission to republish Stevia: The Calorie-Free Sweetener in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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