In a day and age where sugar intake is becoming a health concern for many populations, sugar substitutes are popping up in the market all the time. Unfortunately the more common, such as aspartame, are artificial and come along with their own list of potential health concerns. Stevia, a plant-derived,  non-caloric sugar-substitute, is one of the healthier options available today. Due to the chemical structure of stevia, it is not digestible in the body, thus it provides no calories. This also means that it does not affect the insulin response and blood sugar levels in the way that table sugar does. Actually, studies have shown stevia may improve insulin sensitivity and even promote insulin production meaning that, in addition to doing no harm, stevia intake may actually be beneficial for type 2 diabetic populations. It is important to note that diabetics taking insulin should consult their physician before consuming stevia because of the sweeteners potential to lower blood sugar levels.

Stevia initially gained popularity as a sweetener for beverages, such as coffee, tea, and soda, however more recently is being used in baking. The constituents in stevia are not broken down in the baking process making it superior to the non-caloric and artificial sweeteners typically used in sugar-free recipes. Take into account that stevia is about 8x sweeter than sugar so when using it in a recipe, use two tablespoons of stevia for every cup of sugar the recipe calls for.

Recently having met my goals in education to complete a dual masters degree in exercise physiology and nutritional sciences I am in an exciting place in my life where I am ready to share the jewels of nutrition and wellness knowledge accumulated along my journey. I have worked specifically in sports nutrition and preventative medicine and, with an undergraduate degree emphasizing biopsychology, understand the integral relationship between mind and body. I firmly believe that when a person chooses to embrace their health, they make the choice to transform their life!

Among other things I am currently working as a Nutrition Editor at http://FOODPICKER.org where I along with other professionals in my field are building the biggest nutrition and diabetes website on the internet! Please check out the site and explore how it may help you in becoming healthier and living longer!