March 2010

I love stevia, because it is natural plant-based sweetener, calorie and carbohydrate free!  Depending on the preparation and concentration Stevia sweetens up to 300 times more than traditional sugar – an ideal way of enjoying sweetness with no worries or added sugar calories.

Here is some background on stevia for your insight into this fabulous product.

The Stevia plant:

Stevia (stevia rebaudiana) is a wild plant that is native to South America. For hundreds of years, Stevia has been known as “honey leaf” to the original inhabitants (of Brazil and Paraguay) and used to sweeten tea and foods. There are indications that Stevia (or Ca-he-he) has been used to sweeten a native beverage called mate since Pre-Columbian times. However, a Natural Scientist names Antonio Bertoni first recorded its usage by native tribes in 1887.

Stevia in the kitchen:

Stevia can be used for cooking and baking. Industrial research in Japan has shown that Stevia and stevioside extracts are extremely resistant to heat and can be used in various ways for cooking and baking in the kitchen or to sweeten beverages.

Q) How has Stevia been used in food applications?

A) First, as a prepackaged replacement for sugar and artificial sweeteners. Second, it has been used in various food products, including the Japanese sugar-free versions of Wrigley’s gums, Beatrice Foods yogurts and even diet Coke. It has also been used in Japanese style pickles, dried seafoods, fish meat products, vegetables and seafoods boiled down with soy sauce, confectioneries and a host of other products. Whether it will reach into food applications such as these in the U.S. market depend largely on the FDA’s regulatory position and health industry efforts to re-classify Stevia as a GRAS (generally recognized as substance.

Q) Is Stevia safe?

A) See chapter 6 for a detailed discussion. In general, Stevia is an all-natural herbal product with centuries of safe usage by native Indians in Paraguay. It has been thoroughly tested in dozens of tests around the world and found to be completely non-toxic. It has also been consumed safely in massive quantities (Thousands of tonnes annually) for the past twenty years. Although one group of studies, perform 1985 through 1987, found one ofthe metabolises of steviosides, called Steviol, to be mutagenic towards a particular strain of Salmonella bacteria, there is serious doubt as to whether this study is applicable to human metabolism of Stevia. In fact, the methodology used to measure the mutagenicity in this test was flawed according to a follow-up piece of research which also seriously questioned the validity of the results. For myself, I intend to use the product with both confidence in nature and respect for the healthy moderation and balance which nature teaches us.

Q) Can Stevia replace sugar in the diet?

A) Yes. Refined sugar is virtually devoid of nutritional benefits and, at best, represents empty calories in the diet. At worst, it has been implicated in numerous degenerative diseases. Stevia is much sweeter than sugar and has none of sugar’s unhealthy drawbacks.

Q) How sweet is Stevia?

A) The crude Stevia leaves and herbal powder (green) are reported to be 10-15 times sweeter than table sugar. The refined extracts of Stevia called steviosides (a white powder, 85-95% Steviosides) claim to be 200-300 times sweeter than table sugar. My experience is that the herbal powder is very sweet while the refined extract is incredibly sweet and needs to be diluted to be properly used.

Q) Can Stevia replace artificial sweeteners in the diet?

A) Yes! I do not believe that humans should consume anything artificial in their diets. Stevia offers a safe, all-natural, alternative to these “toxic time-bombs.” And industrial usage in Japan proves that this substitution is both practical and economical.

Q) How many calories are in Stevia?

A) Virtually none. And the refined Stevia extracts are considered to be non-caloric.

Q) Will Stevia raise my blood sugar levels?

A) Not at all. In fact, according to some research, it may actually lower blood sugar levels. However, this research has yet to be confirmed and contradictory results make any conclusions premature.

Q) Can I use Stevia if I am diabetic?

A) Diabetes is a medical condition which should be monitored and treated by a qualified physician or health care practitioner. However, Stevia can be a part of a healthy diet for anyone with blood sugar problems since it does not raise blood sugar levels. If in doubt, ask your doctor. However, if they do say no, ask them politely for the current research to support their opinion.

Q) Can I combine Stevia with other sweeteners?

A) Most certainly. However, sweeteners in general should be used in moderation in a balanced healthy diet. And refined and artificial sweeteners should be avoided altogether.

Q) Will Stevia harm my teeth?

A) Apparently not. Two tests conducted by Purdue University’s Dental Science Research Group have concluded that Stevioside is both fluo-ride compatible and “significantly” inhibits the development of plaque, thus Stevia may actually help to prevent cavities.

Q) Can Stevia be used in cooking and baking?

A) Absolutely! Industrial research in Japan has shown that Stevia and Stevioside extracts are extremely heat stable in a variety of everyday cooking and baking situations.

Q) Does Stevia contain vitamins and minerals?

A) Raw herbal Stevia contains nearly one hundred identified phytonutrients and volatile oils, including trace amounts of Rutin (from the Callus) and B-Sitosterol (from the leaves). However, in the quantities typically consumed, the nutritive benefits will be negligible. The extracts of Stevia, being more refined, will contain far fewer of these phytonutrients and volatile oils.

Enjoy sweetnes without the calories or chemicals.

Much Bodylove, Ing

{ 1 comment }

I love food so much and one of my greatest achievements is being able to eat what I want, when I want and how much I want, without shame or guilt! The food I adore nourishes my mind, body and spirit.I passionately believe that the right food for our unique bodies is natural medicine that shifts how we feel, look and ultimately live.

Today, I am going to share my breakfast with you. After returning from my morning walk, I was ravenous! I took the time to ask my body, “what do you need to eat today? “.

I started with my usual chocolate coconut and raspberry smoothie but my body wanted more sustenance today. My body said,” This is not enough food Miss Ingrid!  Today you need more fat and protein so move onto something savory.” Within five minutes, I had whipped up a little bit of salmon in my wok (left over from last nights dinner), splashed in a dash of coconut oil, threw in an egg, threw in some sea salt and rosemary and crumbled a slice of goats feta and voila, I had stage two of my breakfast completed.

Make sure to listen to your body. Preparing meals doesn’t have to take a long time. 10 – 15 minutes in the morning is all you need from preparation to devouring your breakfast. If you have to set your alarm a tad earlier then do it. Your body will thank you with increased vitality, a calm attitude and a jiving metabolism. Eat HEALTHY and be MERRY!
Coconut and Raspberry Smoothie:
10 frozen raspberries
2 – 3 scoops of whey isolate protein powder
1 tablespoon high quality cocoa powder ( from my local health food store)
Sprinkle of stevia to sweeten
1 teaspoon coconut oil
¼ cup coconut milk
¼ cop water
handful of ice

Salmon & Egg Omelette

Cooked in a ¼ a teaspoon of coconut oil

100 grams of diced fresh salmon (You can use smoked salmon or canned. Please see notes below!)
1 organic egg
Dash of rosemary
Dash of sea salt
1 piece of goats milk feta

Add in coconut oil to wok or fry pan.  Add in salmon and cook for about three minute. Then add the egg, stir ingredients and add in salt and rosemary to taste but make sure not to over do the salt. I love fresh salmon because 1. Fresh is best and 2. There is little to no sodium.

Please note, that you should be able to find low sodium canned salmon and to lower the sodium in smoked products, soak salmon in water overnight. Then drain salmon and pat dry with paper towel.

Please note my food and recipes are UNI SEX so spread the word to men for them to enjoy also!

Have a fabulous day and eat good food!

Much Bodylove, ING xo

{ 5 comments }