| Stevia is a plant native to South America. The | | | | and figure out how to make delicious recipes with |
| leaves of this plant are used to make the stevia | | | | stevia. There are also some stevia cookbooks |
| powder and extract. Stevia has a sweet taste | | | | that can help you if you want to substitute sugar |
| and can be used as a sugar substitute. Stevia | | | | with stevia in your favorite desserts. Use, for |
| doesn't affect the blood sugar level hence it can | | | | example, "Stevia Sweet Recipes: |
| prevent the insulin resistance that leads to weight | | | | Sugar-Free-Naturally" by Jeffrey Goettemoeller, |
| gain. Unlike sugar and other artificial sweeteners | | | | "The Stevia Cookbook: Cooking with Nature's |
| like aspartame (this is the technical name for | | | | Calorie-Free Sweetener" by Ray Sahelian and |
| brand names like "Splenda", "Sweet n' Low" and | | | | Donna Gates or "Stevia: Naturally Sweet Recipes |
| others) it doesn't have negative side effects. | | | | for Desserts, Drinks, and More" by Rita Depuydt. |
| Moreover it contains a number of phytonutrients, | | | | Search the for more stevia cookbooks. |
| doesn't add calories to the food and doesn't | | | | There are some speculations that stevia is not |
| contribute to tooth decay. Stevia also has | | | | good for reproductive system and may even |
| beneficial effects on the pancreas. | | | | cause some cancers but these speculations are |
| Use stevia to sweeten your shakes, smoothies, | | | | mainly due to the fact that artificial sweetener |
| teas and coffees however do not substitute it in | | | | industry has a high lobbying power especially in |
| different desserts recipes. Unlike sugar stevia is | | | | North America. Stevia has been used for ages |
| stable at high temperatures so you will not get | | | | without any side effects. Right now it is widely |
| the same texture or taste of your favorite | | | | used in Japan. For example, it is used as a sugar |
| baked goods. They will also have a dark green | | | | substitute in "Diet coke". |
| color. However you can experiment with cookies | | | | |