stevia-related stories
SUSTA is Sweet on Your Tummy and Gut
Diet & Weight Loss, Reviews & Products
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| Photo: www.nxtnutritionals.com |
At five calories per serving, SUSTA's nutritional profile features inulin, fructose and probiotics, including vitamin C, B vitamins and other key nutrients. The inulin (prebiotics/soluble fiber) and added probiotics can allegedly shore up your digestive and immune systems, while its low-glycemic quality means no sugary, blood sugar-raising high.
In comparison to available artificial and natural (stevia) sweeteners on the market, SUSTA has one dietitian intrigued. "I feel like this is a pretty different product, and in comparison, a pretty darn good one," says dietitian and ADA spokesperson, Dawn Jackson Blatner. Before speaking with That's Fit, she'd never heard of SUSTA -- now she has sent away for samples. Blatner explained SUSTA's bitter melon, cinnamon and chromium have blood sugar-reducing effects, and pairing inulin with probiotics is positive synergy for the digestive system. "Low sugar, plus fiber, plus these extracts equals potentially good blood sugar control in a non-artificial sort of way," explained Blatner. We're intrigued too, but until we see more studies (and taste it!), we'll stick to natural sugars in moderation.
If this therapeutic sweetener tastes as good as it sounds, artificial avoiders may be reaching for SUSTA over the all-natural sweetener, stevia.
Stevia - The New "Green" Sweetener?
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Some think stevia might just be that. Stevia comes from the plant of the same name (it's sometimes called the sugarleaf plant), and its extract is 300 times sweeter than sugar. Because it comes from a plant, it can be marketed as "all-natural." Truvia, one of the brand names stevia is sold under, even comes in a pretty little green packet that screams "natural," especially when placed next to Sweet 'N Low's pepto pink.
Stevia's been around a while -- it's been heavily used in Japan for years -- but was only approved by the FDA for use as a sweetener late last year. Now it's poised to go up against other no-calorie superstars like Splenda, Equal and Sweet N' Low. The competition is tough, but given stevia's "all-natural" claims, it's poised to find a niche in the market. Truvia and Purevia, two brand names, are showing up in cleverly-named products like Sprite Green and Trop50 (orange juice, water and stevia).
Sweet Stevia May Soon Dive Into Your Diet Soda
Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
Big Beverage is waiting. They're standing by for the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) decision on the plant-based sweetener stevia (STEE-vee-uh). If the FDA gives a green light, get ready for a new zero-calorie soda sweetened with stevia, a sugar substitute derived from a shrub. Yet serious health concerns remain regarding stevia -- it's banned in much of Europe, and the Center for Science in the Public interest is calling for more testing.No doubt a South American shrub sounds healthier than a lab, and a natural diet sweetener could prove Big Beverage's Holy Grail, says one industry expert. If the FDA approves it, analysts are betting Big Beverage won't reformulate their main diet products with stevia, but they are expected to utilize stevia in new products or existing brand extensions. Now that I know how this sweetener is pronounced, I keep thinking it'd be a great name for Stevie Nicks' next worldwide tour.
So far, we have little yellow, blue and pink packets of artificial sweeteners, namely Splenda, Equal and Sweet 'n Low. If shrubbery stevia goes mainstream, I'm guessing that little packet will be light green, as Sugar In The Raw already called brown. I just hope it's truly safe.
The Daily Turn On! Nix the soda and lose weight, really!
Life is too short not to be fully "turned on." The Daily Turn On! energizes all aspects of "you." Every Monday The Daily Turn On! with That's Fit Life Fit expert Laura Lewis will provide you with ideas and tips to awaken your mind, your body and your life as you journey through each day of the week! Check in each Monday to get your tip for Turning On every day of your life.I've never been a big soda drinker. Thank goodness my Mother wasn't one of those that would buy cases of the stuff although we did have "Tang" (Anyone remember the instant sweet orange beverage that supposedly astronauts drank? I loved it) yet it was a treat and not something we drank daily. Water was our beverage of choice. It is for my kids as well. And boy would I love to see more people dropping diet sodas and getting on the water band wagon!
Water is essential for optimal health. When you are well hydrated your memory is better, you have more energy, asthma and allergy symptoms may be lessoned, your joints are not as stiff, you metabolize nutrients more efficiently, you'll have less fatty deposits, better digestion and less constipation... just to name a few of the benefits! Soda is a poor substitute for water. Plus, it will make you fat. Even diet soda. This week, I want you to "turn on" your desire for healthy substitutes for the bone leeching, fat causing, chemical beverage YOU call soda. Are there great alternatives? You bet! Read on...
Zevia: Nature's answer to diet soda
Organic, Reviews & Products, Alternative & Green Health, Nutrition & Supplements
Xylitol isn't the only natural sweetener. Have you heard of stevia? This South American calorie-free herb is purported to be 300 times sweeter than the white crystals we're trying to rid our bodies of, namely sugar. Stevia is legally available as a dietary supplement (it's on grocery shelves), but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is concerned over its safety and has not approved stevia as a food additive, says Julie's Health Club's recent blog.
Hence, you can swirl it in your tea, but you won't currently find an official diet soda sweetened with stevia ... yet. Coca-Cola and Cargill are jointly developing a stevia product called Rebiana, and they'll likely be knocking on the FDA's door to allow it as a food additive. Japan's been using stevia as a food additive in products for years.
In worries over artificial, chemical sweeteners, I gave up regularly downing diet soda months ago. But I miss fizzy pop. Wouldn't it be great to have a natural alternative not sweetened with a chemical from a lab? Enter Zevia. With a tagline, Nature's Answer to Diet Soda, Zevia cannot be labeled as a soft drink, but it's stevia-sweetened and has no food dyes, phosphoric acid or artificial flavors. No sugar, carbs, sodium or fat, either. Zevia's Cola, Twist and Orange flavors come in aluminum cans (environmentally-friendly) and are currently available in a dozen states and over the internet. Wanna try it? Right now, you can order a Zevia six-pack on the internet for free --if you pony up the shipping and handling.
For the sweet love of Rebiana
Diet & Weight Loss, Reviews & Products, Nutrition & Supplements
Finally, there may be something on the horizon capable of sweetening our food and drink without adding to the chemical craze that keeps us wondering if sugary additives will one day poison us. It's called Rebiana, and it might just be the sugar substitute we've been waiting for.
Rebiana, a plant from Paraguay that uses leaves from the stevia plant, is unlike other additives: It begins its life as a living, breathing organism. Wow, it's natural -- and reportedly tastes good too.
Rebiana is currently spending its days under the microscope to ensure it's up to task of widespread use in the United States. Stay tuned for more developments.
Rebiana, a plant from Paraguay that uses leaves from the stevia plant, is unlike other additives: It begins its life as a living, breathing organism. Wow, it's natural -- and reportedly tastes good too.
Rebiana is currently spending its days under the microscope to ensure it's up to task of widespread use in the United States. Stay tuned for more developments.
Life Fit Chat with Laura Lewis: Natural alternatives to chemical sweeteners
Life Fit Chat with That's Fit Life Fit Expert Laura Lewis brings conversation provoking tidbits to your table, served up with a touch of spice! Byte-sized information that pack some punch, brought to you every Wednesday, and Thursday!Are you addicted to to those little pink, blue and/or yellow packets available at every conventional restaurant and super market? Do you suffer from any of the following symptoms?
- systemic lupus
- fibromyalgia symptoms
- spasms
- shooting pains
- numbness in your legs
- cramps
- vertigo
- dizziness
- headaches
- tinnitus
- joint pain
- depression
- anxiety attacks
- slurred speech
- blurred vision
- memory loss
If Splenda® tends to be the packet you pick most frequently, you may find yourself suffering from the following symptoms:
- skin rashes/flushing
- diarrhea
- muscle aches
- intestinal cramping
- bladder issues
- stomach pain
The good news is there are natural alternatives. Stevia is an herb that is native to South America and has been used as a natural sweetener for hundreds of years. Stevia is actually 30 times sweeter than refined sugar but has no calories or negative side effects. Date sugar and sugar from dehydrated cane juice are also healthful alternatives to refined or artificial sweeteners. The next time you feel compelled to reach for one of those pretty pastel packets try a natural alternative instead.
Stevia: Not as great as we thought?
Diet & Weight Loss, Reviews & Products, Nutrition & Supplements
I've heard so much good stuff about Stevia, even on That's Fit. So it caught my eye when our friends at Diet Blog asked the question is stevia safe? Turns out the FDA sent a letter to Hain Celestial Group Inc. about their use of stevia as a food additive in some of their products. Now, according to the FDA, stevia is fine as a food supplement, but not as a food additive. Why? Because the FDA considers stevia as unsafe as a food additive. Moreover, they claim that there is insufficient data to support that stevia is safe.
Concerned yet? I am. For more info on stevia, read the full article.
Do you use stevia?
Concerned yet? I am. For more info on stevia, read the full article.
Do you use stevia?
You Are What You Eat: Refined sugar, oh sweet poison
Each week, we'll be offering original recipes and unique ways to use those Super Foods that pack nutritional power. After all, you are what you eat -- make it count!Today we take a bit of a detour from highlighting healthy foods to remind you why eating sugar is not such a fabulous idea.
My family and I went to a fair today, a seasonal activity not to be missed here in New England. However, evil lurks at every corner at these fairs. Sprinkled in amidst the animal shows, cattle barn and spinning demonstration (and I mean yarn, not the exercise craze) are food booths. Lots and lots of food booths.
So by the time we left the fair, we had partaken in myriads of junk food, from the sugary-sweet Kettle Corn to soft-serve ice cream. Dinner out left my toddler sucking down Jello for dessert at a local buffet, so his day was completely shot.
Mind you, we are not people who ever eat refined sugar, and I really mean never. How did our systems react, you ask?
Reduce inflammation in your body naturally
Healthy Habits, Vitamins and Supplements, Womens Health, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Alternative & Green Health, Nutrition & Supplements, Men's Health
Inflammation is the body's response to tissue damage and infection. There are many conditions that cause inflammation. Genetics play a role, so does the environment. Environmental factors include diet, exposure to toxins, germs, pollutants, and inhalants. Some people have a genetic predisposition to heightened inflammation which can cause them to have an illness such as rheumatoid arthritis. But a commonly overlooked cause of inflammation is poor diet.Foods that cause inflammation are sugar, simple carbohydrates, and certain fatty acids and oils. To reduce inflammation avoid junk foods such as donuts, pastry, and sugared drinks. Insufficient consumption of fish, fruit and vegetables is as bad for human health as smoking.A diet that reduces inflammation consists mostly of vegetables and fish. In my opinion, the foods that cause the least inflammation and are the most anti-inflammatory are fish such as halibut and salmon, and all kinds of vegetables. Make changes slowly and accept the fact that there may be times when you binge on unhealthy snacks and foods.
There are many other herbs and nutrients that could be taken to reduce inflammation. For instance using curry and cinnamon when cooking is great. Use a variety of herbs and spices. Many of them have antioxidants and other beneficial compounds. For instance, curry has curcumin, rosemary has rosmarinic acid and ginger has vanillin and zingerone. All of these compounds have health benefits. Basil, bay leaves, cumin, chili powder, coriander, dill, fennel, garlic, ginger, oregano, pepper, rosemary, sage, thyme, and garlic appears to protect against fungal and bacterial infections, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, blood clots and even cancer. Bee pollen, pomegranate, goji, mangosteen, graviola, green tea extract, and spirulina, are great herbs and additions to add to the body. A calcium supplement is recommended for postmenopausal women.
Cutting down or cutting out your sugar intake is a must to cut down on inflammation. Stevia, a no calorie natural herbal sweetener, is available in liquid or powder in health food stores. Reduce your intake of artificial sweeteners such as aspartame and saccharin also.
Daily Fit Tip: Switch to Stevia
Let's face it: sugar is bad for us. It's comprised of empty calories that don't give up an energy and end up being stored as fat. We know this by now. So what's the alternative for those of us that have a serious sweet tooth? Artificial sweeteners? Nah – they're often said to be just as bad for us, even toxic, and I find that they leave me feeling bloated. But there's a natural low-cal sweetener out there that you may have heard of: Stevia. So if we could switch from sugar to stevia, we would probably see a pretty big change in our weightloss. What do you think?
Stevia is a non-toxic, natural sweetener
Healthy Kids, Diet & Weight Loss, Celebs & Entertainment, Reviews & Products, Alternative & Green Health, Nutrition & Supplements
You've seen all the knocks against sweeteners by now. Refined sugar is causing a diabetes epidemic. Aspartame is a toxic manmade chemical and people are finding it's better used as ant poison than as a sweetener. And Splenda is proving to be as problematic as other artificial sweeteners, because it contains chlorine.
So are we stuck? Must we go through our lives without anything sweet ever again? I certainly don't plan to.
I found a sweetener that is not only completely natural (comes from the leaf of a plant) but it also stabilizes blood sugar and acts as an antiviral agent, in that it can stop the onset of cold or flu. It's called stevia (pronounced STEE-vee-uh or STEH-vee-uh).
