Stevia
Posted: May 19, 2010
So with all the hype of Stevia-What really is it?
Here is the scoop on Stevia!
Many countries have used the leaves of this plant for over 200 years as a natural sweetener. It has taken awhile to make its way over to the United States. Now it is here and marketed in different brands that we can find in our local grocery store. Some brands that you may see in the baking aisle of your local grocery store are Purevia and Truvia. Both brands have been approved as GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) as a sweetener.
How many calories does it have?
Zero!
Will Stevia raise my blood sugar levels?
No not at all!
So what do I do with it?
You can use Stevia as you would
use sugar. You can sweeten your coffee or tea or even use it in place of
sugar in your favorite recipes. Stevia is heat and pH stable and
therefore can be used in cooking and baking.
How much do I use?
Below is a conversion table:
| Sugar | Stevia |
|---|---|
| 1 teaspoon | 1/2 packet |
| 2 teaspoons | 1 packet |
| 1 tablespoon | 1 1/2 packets |
| 1/2 cup | 12 packets |
| 3/4 cup | 18 packets |
| 1 cup | 24 packets |
For an easy to print newsletter and recipe go to:
http://extension.psu.edu/diabetes/publications/DWD%20April%202010%20Notes.pdf/view
