Choose Wisely – Stevia
The market for Stevia has started blossoming into quite the selection as many manufacturers are jumping on the Stevia bandwagon. Most grocery stores and even corner markets now carry some form of Stevia. But before you just purchase a package of Stevia, make sure you check the ingredients. Many brands have added ingredients that are harmful to our bodies. Today I’m focusing on the white powder form, usually found in little packets.
Although Stevia is not technically a sweetener, it’s an herb that just happens to be sweet. And since Stevia is not a sugar it does not affect blood sugar levels, in fact it is proven to regulate blood sugar and is also known to help lower blood pressure. It’s the only “sweetener” I believe you can consume every day.
Choose This:
SweetLeaf is the only chemical-free, zero-calorie, zero-carb, zero-glycemic index, 100% natural sweetener there is. It’s made by taking the highest quality leaves of the Stevia plant and extracting their naturally sweet taste with only cool, purified water. No chemicals. No alcohols. No additives that cover up the great taste nature created. It has been said that Stevia may help individuals improve insulin production (great for diabetes sufferers) and can help with hypertension (high blood pressure).
Do not choose this:
Stevia in the Raw – has Dextrose and Maltodextrin listed in the ingredients. There are other bad choices on the market, including Whole Food’s 365 brand so make sure you check the ingredients before purchasing.
Why do these companies ruin such a good thing? Here is an excuse, ha-em, explanation, of why Stevia in the Raw is using these ingredients. (www.steviaextractintheraw.com)
What is dextrose and why is it added to Stevia Extract In The Raw?
Maltodextrin, like dextrose is a natural carbohydrate derived from corn. Many “cup for cup” sugar substitutes in powder form contain maltodextrin because it is a natural ingredient that does not change the flavor of the sweetener in the blend. In our cup for cup product, maltodextrin is used to dilute the very potent Rebiana extract to make it measurable for consumers in cup for cup sweetening equivalency as a sugar replacement; it does not alter the naturally sweet flavor of the Stevia. The truth is that both of these ingredients are harmful for us. I could write a whole blog post on just this topic, but for now I’ll just give you the skinny version. Dextrose – Dextrose is simply a form of glucose. Some food packagers like to use “dextrose” on their packaging instead of “glucose” because consumers have negative associations with glucose. Dextrose is derived from starchy food ingredients like rice, wheat, or potatoes but it is usually GMO (Gentically Modified Organism) Corn. Maltodextrin – It is produced from rice, potato or corn starch. It is known to contain MSG and it doesn’t need to state that on the ingredient label. It is also known to affect blood sugar levels and cause tooth decay. I also do not recommend Truvia because it is a blend of Stevia, erythritol and natural flavors. Erythritol is classified as a sugar alcohol. Sugar alcohols are sugar substitutes that are either extracted from plants or manufactured from starches. Sugar alcohols are not completely absorbed into your body and therefore can cause gas and bloating. The process in which manufactures make erythritol is usually by fermenting sugar in GMO corn. Nothing processed like this is good for our bodies. I understand there is some controversy on these sweeteners and many say you can have them, in moderation of course. But I find it interesting that many doctors will tell diabetics not to consume these at all and only have Stevia. So, my view on this is why consume something that will effect our bodies in a negative way when we can simply choose to enjoy the benefits that Stevia has to offer? Remember, it’s all natural, and should be closest to nature as possible and Sweet Leaf Stevia will give us exactly that. So, choose wisely and buy Sweet Leaf Stevia!
Where is a good place to get the Sweet Leaf stevia? I’ve checked with my local “health food” store and they can probably get it for me. Just want to get the best price I can for this product. Thanks Carol! Paula
Paula look online and compare prices.. You might be able to get is cheaper from Amazon or VitaCost over buying local