KalenaSpire

Where Healing Your Gut Elevates Your Life

  • Email
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Home
  • Meet Dr. Christine
  • Services
    • Health Coaching
    • Private Yoga
    • Natural Dispensary
    • Book an Appointment
  • Shop
  • Favorites
  • Praise
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Cart

Looking For Healthy Natural Sweeteners? Try These! & GIVEAWAY

September 22, 2016 | 62 Comments

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.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: blood sugar, chili, cinnamon, erythritol, fenugreek, giveaway, glucose, maple syrup, molasses, monk fruit, natural sweeteners, neem, stevia, sugar, tulsi, xylitol


About Dr. Christine

Christine Cherpak is a Doctor of Clinical Nutrition, Wellness Expert, and the founder of KalenaSpire, an integrative nutrition coaching and private yoga practice that specializes in women's wellness, gastrointestinal and immune health, nutritional biochemistry, and nutrigenomics. Christine supports her clients in understanding the root cause of their health issues, creates a custom eating, supplement, and lifestyle protocol to put them on the road to healing, and shows them how to make sustainable lifestyle changes so they can finally enjoy and elevate their lives.

Comments

  1. Jayden says

    September 22, 2016 at 3:29 pm

    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
    • Christine says

      September 22, 2016 at 11:02 pm

      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
  2. Annette says

    September 23, 2016 at 10:34 pm

    I’d like to win, because I’m a stevia user.

    Reply
    • Christine says

      September 23, 2016 at 10:42 pm

      Awesome, Annette! I’m happy to hear that you already use stevia and could benefit from this giveaway.

      Good luck!

      Warmest regards,
      Christine

      Reply
  3. Annamarie V says

    September 25, 2016 at 10:51 pm

    I switched to stevia back in May and I’m looking for the best tasting product.

    Reply
    • Christine says

      September 26, 2016 at 3:06 pm

      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
  4. Dandi D says

    September 26, 2016 at 7:52 am

    I like to feed my family as healthy as I can, so this prize would be great for us!

    Reply
    • Christine says

      September 26, 2016 at 3:05 pm

      Hi Dandi,

      What a spectacular reason! I’m sure this would be a “sweet” healthy treat for your family :).

      Best of luck!

      Regards,
      Christine

      Reply
  5. Judith says

    September 28, 2016 at 10:57 am

    i’d love to win this to share with my roommates

    Reply
    • Christine says

      September 28, 2016 at 2:22 pm

      Hi Judith,

      I love that motivation! Sharing benefits our health in so many ways.

      Good luck to you (and your roommates)!

      Best,
      Christine

      Reply
  6. Shea Adams says

    September 29, 2016 at 3:24 am

    I would like to win because I have never tried these products and have been trying to find natural products to use.

    Reply
    • Christine says

      September 29, 2016 at 9:13 am

      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
  7. Margaret Porter says

    September 29, 2016 at 8:47 pm

    Love Stevia. Trying to help our family better. This would help.

    Reply
    • Christine says

      September 29, 2016 at 11:24 pm

      Hi Margaret,

      I love how you’re taking action to improve your family’s health.

      Best of luck!

      Warmly,
      Christine

      Reply
  8. Jennifer Finn says

    September 29, 2016 at 10:45 pm

    i would like to give it to my mom who has diabetes

    Reply
    • Christine says

      September 29, 2016 at 11:26 pm

      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
  9. Steph D. says

    October 1, 2016 at 7:36 pm

    I have a sweet tooth and I am always looking to sweeten up my tea and coffee!

    Reply
    • Christine says

      October 1, 2016 at 9:40 pm

      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
  10. Dana Matthews says

    October 3, 2016 at 11:53 pm

    I’m a diabetic and this would be a different and better alternative to sugars. Sounds amazing!

    Reply
    • Christine says

      October 4, 2016 at 5:49 pm

      Hi Dana,

      I commend you for looking to try healthier options to help manage your diabetes.

      Best of luck!

      Warm regards,
      Christine

      Reply
  11. LeAnn Harbert says

    October 4, 2016 at 12:00 am

    My mom has diabetes and she would like to try this.

    Reply
    • Christine says

      October 4, 2016 at 5:48 pm

      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. Nicole Flynn says

    October 4, 2016 at 1:28 am

    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
    • Christine says

      October 4, 2016 at 5:47 pm

      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
  13. Nancy says

    October 4, 2016 at 9:41 am

    I’d like to win this collection because I love trying new to me products!

    Reply
    • Christine says

      October 4, 2016 at 5:45 pm

      Hi Nancy,

      Yes, trying new products is always fun.

      I wish you the best!

      Regards,
      Christine

      Reply
  14. jeremy mclaughlin says

    October 4, 2016 at 10:33 am

    Would love to win , wanted to try these.

    Reply
    • Christine says

      October 4, 2016 at 5:44 pm

      Awesome, Jeremy . . . good luck!

      Warmly,
      Christine

      Reply
  15. Heather G says

    October 4, 2016 at 11:40 pm

    I would love to try all of these products. They all sound amazing!

    Reply
    • Christine says

      October 5, 2016 at 10:15 am

      Hi Heather,

      They are amazing, just like everyone who reads this post :).

      Good luck!

      Warmly,
      Christine

      Reply
  16. Angie W says

    October 5, 2016 at 9:16 am

    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
    • Christine says

      October 5, 2016 at 10:16 am

      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
  17. Darlene Owen says

    October 5, 2016 at 9:26 am

    I am excited to win the cocca powder.

    Reply
    • Christine says

      October 5, 2016 at 10:18 am

      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
  18. Katie Bellamy says

    October 5, 2016 at 9:34 am

    I eat way too much sugar, I’d like an alternative!

    Reply
    • Christine says

      October 5, 2016 at 10:19 am

      Hi Katie,

      This would sure be a great package to receive to help you find sugar alternatives.

      Wishing you much luck!

      Regards,
      Christine

      Reply
  19. Morrighan Crowe Anne Perry says

    October 5, 2016 at 10:10 am

    I would like to use this in my coffee.

    Reply
    • Christine says

      October 5, 2016 at 10:20 am

      Hi Morringhan,

      What a great idea! You could definitely make an awesome mocha.

      Good luck!

      Warmly,
      Christine

      Reply
  20. lisa kay says

    October 5, 2016 at 11:55 am

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

    Reply
    • Christine says

      October 5, 2016 at 12:32 pm

      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. Lissa Crane says

    October 5, 2016 at 1:39 pm

    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
    • Christine says

      October 5, 2016 at 8:05 pm

      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
  22. harley says

    October 5, 2016 at 6:14 pm

    thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply
    • Christine says

      October 5, 2016 at 8:05 pm

      Hi Harley,

      You’re very welcome! Thank you for expressing your gratitude.

      Wishing you luck,
      Christine

      Reply
  23. Melissa P says

    October 5, 2016 at 7:16 pm

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

    Reply
    • Christine says

      October 5, 2016 at 8:06 pm

      Hi Melissa,

      I’m glad to hear that this would offer you a sweetener alternative.

      Good luck!

      Best,
      Christine

      Reply
  24. Renee Rousseau says

    October 5, 2016 at 7:56 pm

    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
    • Christine says

      October 5, 2016 at 8:08 pm

      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
  25. Gricelda Castro says

    October 5, 2016 at 9:50 pm

    I would love to win this for myself. I am pre-diabetic.

    Reply
    • Christine says

      October 5, 2016 at 10:41 pm

      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
  26. Sue Hull says

    October 5, 2016 at 11:48 pm

    Im a diabetic so I use sweetners like this. Thank you for the chance 🙂

    Reply
    • Christine says

      October 10, 2016 at 8:03 pm

      Hi Sue,

      That’s great! You’re very welcome.

      Warmly,
      Christine

      Reply
  27. Jayden says

    January 13, 2018 at 10:17 pm

    I would like to satisfy my sweet tooth, while still having a treat. This would help me make healthier choices. \

    Reply
    • Christine says

      January 14, 2018 at 11:37 am

      Hi Jayden,

      Yes, it’s always a great idea to find healthier ways to satisfy our need for a sweet treat!

      Good luck!

      Warmly,

      Christine

      Reply
  28. Jayden says

    January 13, 2018 at 10:19 pm

    I would like to make homemade brownies.

    Reply
    • Christine says

      January 14, 2018 at 11:38 am

      Those sound scrumptious!

      Reply
  29. gregory says

    January 13, 2018 at 10:35 pm

    To start cooking with healthy ingredients.

    Reply
    • Christine says

      January 14, 2018 at 11:39 am

      Hi Gregory,

      What a fabulous reason to want to win the prize pack!

      Good luck!

      Warmly,
      Christine

      Reply
  30. gregory says

    January 13, 2018 at 10:45 pm

    I want to make the loaded brownie sundae.

    Reply
    • Christine says

      January 14, 2018 at 11:39 am

      What a yummy idea!

      Reply
  31. Sue Hull says

    January 15, 2018 at 1:10 am

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

    Reply
    • Christine says

      January 15, 2018 at 12:19 pm

      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

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter!

        We collect, use and process your data according to our ​Privacy Policy​.

The Latest

Why & How to Keep a Diet Diary

Love quinoa? Ancient Inca warriors believed quinoa increased their stamina, so it shouldn't be surprising that nutritionists today consider it a superfood. | KalenaSpire

Do You Love Quinoa? & Quinoa RECIPE

Cancer prevention and cancer therapy diets require different nutritional approaches. They share the principle of nutrient density, but their goals differ. | KalenaSpire

What You Need To Know About Cancer Prevention & Cancer Therapy Diets

Book now!

Categories

Instagram

Instagram did not return a 200.

Follow Me!

RECENT PINS

Archives

Purchase products through our Fullscript virtual dispensary.


 

Get an Abdominal Splint from The Tummy Team

Get Free Resources on core strength and posture & alignment at The Tummy Team

Sync.com - private cloud

Purity Organic Coffee


Kettle & Fire Bone Broth - Shop Now

Learn more about diastasis recti and how you can treat it

Notice: Undefined index: excerpt_length in /www/wp-content/plugins/testimonial-rotator/widget.php on line 323

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.”
KalenaSpire
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.”
https://kalenaspire.com/testimonials/alexandria-z-m-s/
0
KalenaSpire
Copyright © 2021 Kalena Spire | All Rights Reserved
Disclaimer | Returns and Refunds Policy | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions
Web Design by Viva la Violette

popup