Stevia powder comes from the Stevia rebaudiana plant, native to Paraguay and Brazil, and has been used for centuries in many parts of the world as a natural sweetener. It is calorie-free, won't cause cavities and does not raise blood sugar levels, so it can be enjoyed by diabetics or anyone on a low glycemic index diet, according to the website of the Weston A. Price Foundation. Unlike sugar, which is basically nutrient-free, and artificial sweeteners, which are toxic to your body, stevia, especially a whole-leaf extract of the herb, is a healthy alternative and can be used in place of sugar or other sugar substitutes.
Instructions
1. Substitute stevia powder for the sugar or artificial sweetener you normally use in tea and coffee. Because stevia is 200 times sweeter than sugar, use just a pinch of it.
2. Add a pinch of stevia to a glass of plain, carbonated water to make a healthy soda. Add lemon or lime to give it flavor. For lemonade, add a teaspoon of stevia to a pitcher of freshly squeezed lemons.
3. Blend one cup of strawberries, one banana, one cup of milk, a few ice cubes and ¼ tsp. of stevia to make a delicious smoothie.
4. Add 1/2 tsp. of stevia per cup of heavy whipping cream and blend until stiff peaks form for fresh whipped cream. Alternatively, drizzle cream over a bowl of raspberries or strawberries and dust with a pinch of stevia powder for a sweet but sugar-free berries 'n' cream treat.
5. Add ¼ tsp. of stevia powder to a cup of plain yogurt to sweeten it without the negative effects of sugar or artificial sweeteners.
6. Sprinkle just a pinch of stevia powder onto your tongue to diminish a craving for sweets. It dissolves easily and leaves a sweet taste, which may curb your sweet tooth.
7. Substitute stevia for sugar in most baking recipes. As a general rule, 1 tsp. of stevia equals 1 cup of sugar. However, to make up for the lost bulk of sugar, for every teaspoon of stevia used, add 1/3 cup of water, applesauce, yogurt, fruit juice or whatever other liquid is already in the recipe.
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