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Looking For Healthy Natural Sweeteners? Try These! & GIVEAWAY

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Concerned about sweets in your diet? Research supports that refined sugar contributes to negative health consequences. However, sweetness adds a sense of pleasure to our palates, rounds out flavors, and provides satisfaction to prevent overeating. Healthy natural sweeteners make it simple to manage blood sugar levels without deprivation or harmful artificial sweeteners.

Concerned about sweets? Healthy natural sweeteners make it simple to manage blood sugar levels without deprivation or harmful artificial sweeteners. | KalenaSpire

 

NATURE’S HEALTHY NATURAL SWEETENERS

Herbs such as fenugreek, neem, and tulsi, and spices such as chili and cinnamon may be used to help manage blood glucose levels. Of course there are whole fruits high in fiber to minimize blood sugar spikes and nutrient-rich sweeteners such as 100% maple syrup (not pancake syrup) and blackstrap molasses, but these do impact blood sugar. Conversely, natural sweeteners such as stevia, xylitol, erythritol, and monk fruit offer sweetness with little or no effect on blood sugar levels. Stevia is an herb from the daisy family that is 200-300 times as sweet as sugar. It comes in a variety of forms, but the pure extract and liquid are the least refined. And stevia has multiple medicinal properties. Xylitol is a sugar alcohol from corncob and birch tree bark and helps prevent tooth decay. It has about the same sweetness as sugar, but 40% fewer calories. Similarly, erythritol is a sugar alcohol from fruits and vegetables. Although erythritol tastes like sugar, erythritol is 60-70% less sweet. Moreover, monk fruit is 300 times sweeter than sugar, considered an antioxidant, and health supportive.

 

HOW TO USE NATURAL SWEETENERS

Stevia: baking, beverages, yogurt, dairy-free ice cream, etc.; depending on the form (e.g. liquid, pure extract), you may need to adjust the dry and liquid ingredients and/or add a bulking agent (e.g. starch, tigernut flour, yogurt, fruit or vegetable purée) when baking

Erythritol: baking, beverages, yogurt, dairy-free ice cream, etc.

Monk Fruit: baking, beverages, yogurt, dairy-free ice cream, etc.; depending on the form (e.g. pure extract, baking blend), you may need to adjust the dry and liquid ingredients and/or add a bulking agent (e.g. tigernut flour, banana flour, yogurt, fruit or vegetable purée) when baking

Xylitol: baking, beverages, yogurt, dairy-free ice cream, candies, etc.

100% Maple Syrup: marinades, dressings, sauces, glazes, gluten-free pancake topping, baking; when baking, reduce liquid ingredients by 1/4 cup per 1 cup maple syrup used

Blackstrap Molasses: marinades, dressings, sauces, glazes, baking; when baking, add 1/2 tsp baking soda and reduce liquid ingredients by 5 tablespoons per 1 1/3 cups molasses used

*Sugar alcohols (e.g. xylitol, erythritol) are not fully absorbed in the small intestine, so overconsumption may cause bloating, flatulence, or diarrhea. Erythritol is typically well tolerated.

 

Download and print this guide for all your healthy natural sweeteners needs. Hungry for more great guides? Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter by clicking here to access exclusive content just for subscribers.

Concerned about sweets in your diet? Download and print this guide for all your healthy natural sweeteners needs. | KalenaSpire

Experiment with different healthy natural sweeteners to find which ones satisfy your palate while supporting healthy blood sugar levels!

 

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN

Ready to sweeten your life in a healthy way? NuNaturals, my favorite brand of stevia, has generously sponsored a giveaway.

Update: NuNaturals is sponsoring another giveaway for 2018!

4 lucky winners will receive the following package of goodies valued at $70:

NuNaturals Giveaway Package | KalenaSpire

  • one bottle of Vanilla Alcohol Free NuStevia Liquid
  • one bottle of sugar-free Cocoa syrup
  • one package of cocoa powder
  • one 50 pkt. box of NuStevia No-Carbs Stevia Packets
  • bonus item

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Please note: we cannot ship to PO boxes. Open to US residents only.

Giveaway #2 closes at 12 am ET on January 31, 2018.

EVERYONE’S A WINNER!

Visit www.nunaturals.com and receive 15% off your entire order (NOT to be combined with any other discounts). Enter discount code “BLG0618” at checkout. This discount remains EFFECTIVE UNTIL JUNE 30, 2018. Online ordering customers may also receive FREE SHIPPING to the CONTINENTAL U.S. on all orders exceeding $ 35.00 after discounts.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Please note: we cannot ship to PO boxes.

Giveaway #1 closed at 12 am ET on October 6, 2016.

 

What’s your favorite healthy natural sweetener? Share in the comments below!

 

 

References
  • Ahuja, K. D. K., Robertson, I. K., Geraghty, D. P., & Ball, M. J. (2006). Effects of chili consumption on postprandial glucose, insulin, and energy metabolism. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 84(1), 63-69. Retrieved from http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/84/1/63.full
  • Asif, M. (2014). The prevention and control the type-2 diabetes by changing lifestyle and dietary pattern. Journal of Education and Health Promotion, 3(1). doi: 10.4103/2277-9531.127541
  • Bray, G., & Popkin, B. M. (2014). Dietary sugar and body weight: Have we reached a crisis in the epidemic of obesity and diabetes? Diabetes Care, 37(4), 950-956. doi: 10.2337/dc13-2085
  • de Cock, P., & Bechert, C. – L. (2002). Erythritol. Functionality in noncaloric functional beverages. Pure and Applied Chemistry, 74(7), 1281-1289. doi: 10.1351/pac200274071281
  • Pandey, A., Tripathi, P., Pandey, R., Srivatava, R., & Goswami, S. (2011). Alternative therapies useful in the management of diabetes: A systemic review. Journal of Pharmacy & BioAllied Sciences, 3(4), 504-512. doi: 10.4103/0975-7406.90103
  • Qin, B., Panickar, K. S., & Anderson, R. A. (2010). Cinnamon: Potential role in the prevention of insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes. Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology, 4(3), 685-693. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2901047/
  • Sellman, S. (2002). Xylitol—Our sweet salvation. Total Health, 24(4), 22-24.
  • Touger-Decker, R., & van Loveren, C. (2003). Sugars and dental caries. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 78(4), 8815-8925. Retrieved from http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/78/4/881S.full.pdf+html
  • Wang, L., Yang, Z., Lu, F., Liu, J., Song, Y., & Li, D. (2014). Cucurbitane glycosides derived from mogroside IIE: Structure-taste relationships, antioxidant activity, and acute toxicity. Molecules, 19(8), 12676-12689. doi: 10.3390/molecules190812676
  • Wood, R. (1999). The new whole foods encyclopedia: A comprehensive resource for healthy eating. New York: Penguin.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. KalenaSpire only joins affiliate programs for products that Christine believes in and sincerely endorses for quality and efficacy.

Comments

  1. I really want to try stevia after reading this post. I’ve been looking for natural alternatives to sugar and artificial sweeteners.
    Thank you for this information-packed post. I love the handout . . . it’s printed and on my refrigerator already :).

    Reply

    • Hi Jayden,

      I’m so glad you enjoyed the post and found the handout useful! It makes me happy to know that you have a go-to resource for healthy sweeteners.

      Good luck!

      Warmly,
      Christine

      Reply

    • Hi Annamarie,

      I certainly went through a number of stevia products before I found the “sweet spot.” Many companies products stevia products that are bitter and taste off. NuNaturals is my go-to brand for superior flavor and quality.

      Good luck!

      Best,
      Christine

      Reply

    • Hi Shea,

      What a great reason for wanting to win! I have found that experimenting with similar products from different companies is really helpful for determining your favorite. Since there are multiple formulations (even within one company), sometimes it might take a few different variations to find the one that tastes appealing to you. This was certainly the case when it came to my encounter with stevia :).

      You can mix different sweeteners, too, to find a balance that meets your needs. This is especially helpful when it comes to baking with natural sweeteners.

      Thanks for entering the giveaway and good luck!

      Regards,
      Christine

      Reply

    • Hi Jennifer,

      What a great idea! It can be challenging to live with diabetes. Stevia is a wonderful alternative to harmful artificial sweeteners.

      Good luck to you and your mom!

      Warm regards,
      Christine

      Reply

    • Hi Steph,

      Well that sure sounds like a reason to win this giveaway. I’ve been known to enjoy the chocolate syrup right off a spoon when my “sweet tooth” needs to be satisfied.

      Good luck!

      Regards,
      Christine

      Reply

    • Hi LeAnn,

      These would be awesome items for you and your mom to try. Your mom is fortunate to have you to look for healthy options to meet her needs.

      Good luck!

      Best,
      Christine

      Reply

  12. I would like to win because I already use stevia. I haven’t tried this brand yet, nor dud I know about it. The Cocoa powder and syrup are two products I would love to try the most. I would love to use the syrup to give my children chockolate milk that is natural and safe.

    Reply

    • Hi Nicole,

      How wonderful that you already use stevia. I’m confident you will like stevia from NuNaturals. The chocolate syrup makes for yummy chocolate milk. I use it in homemade coconut milk and almond milk for a chocolate treat and it’s delicious! It also makes for a decadent coconut milk “ice cream” topping.

      Kudos to you for supporting your children with healthy foods, and good luck!

      Warmly,
      Christine

      Reply

  16. I’d love to win because I try to be as healthy as I can be. These sound like great alternatives to processed sugar, so it would be great to try them. Thanks!

    Reply

    • Hi Angie,

      Making small positive changes makes healthy eating a lifestyle, so I acknowledge you for the steps you have taken thus far. Yes, these “goodies” are excellent alternatives to refined sugar.

      Best of luck!

      Regards,
      Christine

      Reply

    • Hi Darlene,

      Excellent choice! Although I have been using NuNaturals stevia for a long time, I only recently tried the company’s cocoa powder. It is delicious. Unlike other brands I have used, the cocoa powder has a rich color and silky appearance.

      Good luck!

      Best,
      Christine

      Reply

  20. I have never tried any of these products
    They look amazing!
    Hot Fudge Sunday would be Great with this Product~

    Reply

    • Hi Lisa,

      Woo-hoo, wanting to try new products is a wonderful reason to win one of these gift packages. They will certainly transform your dish of ice cream to an ice cream sundae! If you’re looking for a dairy-free whipped cream, you can check out this post for a recipe.

      Good luck!

      Warmly,
      Christine

      Reply

  21. I would love to to win the NuNaturals gift package because my sister was recently diagnosed with cancer and I have been trying to live a healthier lifestyle and learn more about what I put into my body! It really has been an eye opener for my whole family!

    Reply

    • Dear Lissa,

      Knowledge is power! Keep making those healthy choices. You and your sister might enjoy downloading the calendar in this post to practice stress-relieving activities to promote health.

      I wish you much luck and your sister much healing!

      Warmly,
      Christine

      Reply

  23. I’m always up for trying new things! I tend to sweeten with maple, but sometimes, it needs something else.

    Reply

  24. I love NuNaturals! I use Vanilla Alcohol Free NuStevia Liquid when I froth my milk for my morning latte! The liquid is so convenient and easy to use!

    Reply

    • Hi Renee,

      I’m happy to hear that you are already enjoying the Vanilla Alcohol Free NuStevia Liquid. Your morning latte sounds delicious.

      Best of luck!

      Regards,
      Christine

      Reply

    • Hi Gricelda,

      Way to go for making healthy choices to support your blood sugar. Definitely download the handout for different sugar alternatives without harmful chemicals.

      Best of luck!

      Warmly,
      Christine

      Reply

  31. I’m a type 2 diabetic so I use natural sweeteners.I’ve never tried the cocoa. Thank you for the chance ☺

    Reply

    • Hi Sue,

      Kudos to you for using sugar alternatives that support the management of your type 2 diabetes. The cocoa powder is rich and delicious.

      I wish you much luck and health!

      Warmly,
      Christine

      Reply

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Alexandria Z., M.S.

Christine is my wellness goddess. Her amazing support, extraordinary expertise, and undeniable compassion invited me to a world of freedom from digestive discomfort that I didn’t know was possible. The whirlwind of bloating, constipation, brain fog, and digestive upheaval was consuming my life. Exhaustion and frustration were becoming my very existence. And then I met my health goddess! Christine’s astute listening and meticulously tailored guidance, transformed my thinking and whirlwind of digestive discomfort. She helped me achieve a state of equilibrium. The balance I now experience is the center of my wellness existence—the core of my life with digestive happiness.

 

Christine instilled in me the power to embrace the grace and strength of my very own body! She has taught me to internalize the boundless evidence of my body’s functionality to heal digestively. While working with Christine, my exhaustion, pain, and bloating were overshadowed with energy, digestive comfort, glowing skin, and knowledge. Her coaching raised my awareness of food sensitivities, and promoted better food choices, which led to better sleep, a stronger link to overall wellness, clarity in my thinking, and ultimately, more joy in my life.  Christine’s remarkable spirit of wellness will forever echo in my digestive wellness journey. I bestow upon Christine the well-deserved exceptional title, “my wellness goddess.”
2015-07-27T17:47:59-04:00
Christine is my wellness goddess. Her amazing support, extraordinary expertise, and undeniable compassion invited me to a world of freedom from digestive discomfort that I didn’t know was possible. The whirlwind of bloating, constipation, brain fog, and digestive upheaval was consuming my life. Exhaustion and frustration were becoming my very existence. And then I met my health goddess! Christine’s astute listening and meticulously tailored guidance, transformed my thinking and whirlwind of digestive discomfort. She helped me achieve a state of equilibrium. The balance I now experience is the center of my wellness existence—the core of my life with digestive happiness.   Christine instilled in me the power to embrace the grace and strength of my very own body! She has taught me to internalize the boundless evidence of my body’s functionality to heal digestively. While working with Christine, my exhaustion, pain, and bloating were overshadowed with energy, digestive comfort, glowing skin, and knowledge. Her coaching raised my awareness of food sensitivities, and promoted better food choices, which led to better sleep, a stronger link to overall wellness, clarity in my thinking, and ultimately, more joy in my life.  Christine’s remarkable spirit of wellness will forever echo in my digestive wellness journey. I bestow upon Christine the well-deserved exceptional title, “my wellness goddess.”