By: Coach Jeaneth Aro
In the discussion about sugar alternatives, registered nutritionist-dietitian, Coach Jeaneth Aro, brings our attention to Stevia - a natural, non-caloric sweetener derived from a plant. She provides an insightful explanation about the use of Stevia, highlighting that it is 400x sweeter than regular sugar and, unlike sugar, does not lead to a higher consumption of calories in subsequent meals. This detail is particularly beneficial for those looking to reduce calorie intake without suffering from a compensatory food craving that usually comes after consuming reduced-calories meals.
However, Coach Jeaneth Aro also rightly advises to read the product labels for fillers like erythritol, dextrose, maltodextrose, xylitol, and inulin that may be mixed with Stevia extracts. While stressing that Stevia itself has little impact on blood sugar control, she cautions that reported side effects may include abdominal fullness, headache, dizziness, and nausea, which occur rarely. On the whole, the video is a comprehensive and balanced view on the pros and cons of using Stevia as a sugar substitute.