by K. Hanley

Created on: December 12, 2009

When it comes to finding an alternative to sugar, looking at chemicals to produce our substitute is not a healthy solution.  Aspartame substitutes have negative repercussions on the body.  However, if you are seeking an alternative to avoid the negative impact of sugar, take a look at the little herbal plant, stevia.  Stevia, a small herbal shrub native to parts of Brazil and Paraguay, has been used for hundreds of years, and it’s sweetening capabilities outsmart sugar by nearly 30 times. Also in its favor is stevia’s natural effect on the body.  Unlike sugar, honey, or even some artificial sweeteners, it will not alter insulin levels or give you a sugar high and low.  And best of all, there is no caloric intake with stevia.

The plant has small green leaves that are either boiled down to a liquid extract or dried and refined to a white powdery substance.  Depending on the brand and level of refinement the plant has gone through, stevia can substitute one cup of sugar by only a teaspoon or two. 

When cooking, it is helpful to experiment a little, as too much stevia can actually give the food a tangy, bitter aftertaste.  In my cooking, I use Stevita brand steviain the powdered form.  When making a pumpkin pie or cherry cobbler, I usually add 1 ½-2 tsp. of stevia.  As a word of warning, stevia works best in baked goods with fruit or custard bases.  Cakes, brownies, and cookies do not seem to mesh as well with stevia.  However, mixing a little stevia with warm honey or raw Turbinado sugar is also a good alternative to refined white sugar.

Also note that powdered stevia does not do well if unheated.  Sprinkling it on cereal or buttered toast doesn’t work.  However, if you mix it will a little hot water, the extracted solution can be used in almost anything. 

Overall, stevia is an excellent substitute for sugar: it can be used in hot drinks, fruity desserts, or baked breads.  You can’t go wrong with this little herb, beneficial for diabetics or those who just wish to live healthier lifestyles.

Here is a simple berry crisp recipe: try it for yourself.

Filling:

7 cups of fresh or frozen mixed berries (if the berries are frozen, thaw and keep the juices)
1 1/2 tsp. powdered Stevita stevia
3 TB  Tapioca
1/4 tsp almond extract

Topping:

 1 cup rolled oats
2/3 cup flour
1/2tsp powdered stevia
1/3 butter crumbled into the flour mixture

Preheat the over to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9 x 13" baking dish.

Pour the fruit mixture into dish and top with crumb topping.

Bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour. If the topping gets done before the berries bubble on the sides, cover pan with foil the last 15 minutes of baking.

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