Stevia is a popular sweetener harvested from the South American stevia rebaudiana shrub. At 100 to 300 times the potency of sugar, but with 0 calories, stevia can be helpful if you are diabetic, obese or prone to dental cavities. In 2008, stevia was approved as a food additive in the United States and is widely sold under several popular brands. Please consult with your doctor before substituting sugars in your diet with stevia.
Buy Stevia
Step 1
Read product labels in detail. Use caution when researching, because some of the popular stevia products contain chemical sweeteners or fillers other than stevia. Some brands add another sweetener called erythritol in addition to stevia's chemical rebiana to their product. These additional ingredients could have their own benefits and cons, so ask your doctor about each before trying.
Step 2
Read reviews on the product. Since different stevia sweetener brands add extra chemicals, the taste will vary. Some might be easier to mix into liquid than others, so you should read reviews online.
Step 3
Request a sample if possible. Some stevia products can be pricey over the long run, so you should request a sample or buy the smallest possible quantity to see how you like the taste before purchasing a large supply.
Use Stevia
Step 1
Try a small fraction of stevia for allergies. While stevia is regarded as safe and is approved as a food additive, it is always a wise idea when trying new chemicals to see what personal effects it might have on you.
Step 2
Mix stevia slowly into to your beverages. Since stevia is up to 300 times more potent than sugar, you might have to add only a small fraction.
Step 3
Add stevia to your baked goods according to your product's directions. When you bake food such as cakes, breads and cookies, you need an exact ratio, or the dish will flop. Stevia also cannot be used as an exact replacement for sugar because it doesn't caramelize when cooked, modify the texture of creams and provide food for dough-raising yeast.
Since some stevia products only take a small fraction to make something sweet compared to sugar, your baking can have a lack of volume and might require filler ingredients. For cakes, beating egg whites into very large stiff peaks can help restore the volume loss.
Things You'll Need
- A stevia-based sweetener
References
- "International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition"; Stevia (Stevia Rebaudiana) A Bio-Sweetener: A Review; SK Goyal; Feb. 2010
- American Academy of Family Physicians: Stevia Sweeteners: What You Need To Know
- University of Illinois Extension: Eating for Target Blood Glucose Levels
- Truvia: Product Label
- Pure Via: Our Product Range
- University of Nebraska Lincoln Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources: Stevia
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