STEVIA SWEETENERS FOODINSIGHT.ORG WHY WOULD I USE HOW SHOULD I USE IT? IF I’M TRYING TO LOSE A NO-CALORIE Many of your favorite foods and drinks WEIGHT, WILL STEVIA SWEETENER? come in lower-calorie versions that might HELP? contain stevia. Low-calorie sweeteners Almost everyone likes sweet If you’re trying to lose weight or also come in small individual packets taste. In fact, we’re born liking it. But just maintain your current weight, that are portioned to provide about the sweet foods and drinks can add extra stevia sweeteners are a tool that can same level of sweetness as two teaspoons calories to our diet, which isn’t always help. It’s important to know that stevia of sugar. You may have noticed these kind to our waistlines. Low-calorie and other low-calorie sweeteners do packets at restaurants or coffee shops. sweeteners provide sweetness without not have magical powers—they do not Stevia sweeteners are typically found in adding calories. Choosing lower- packets that are green or white and green. “cause” weight loss. While it’s true that calorie versions of your favorite foods Stevia retains its sweetness at high low-calorie sweeteners can help you and drinks or sweetening your coffee temperatures. If you’re a baker, this is good consume fewer calories, successful or tea with a low-calorie sweetener news! You can use stevia to reduce the weight strategies don’t rely on them instead of sugar are two ways to cut sugar and calories in your creations. alone. You’re more likely to reach back on calories and sugar. your weight goals by incorporating SHOULD I AVOID STEVIA? low-calorie sweeteners into a healthy WHAT IS STEVIA? routine that includes many positive Stevia sweeteners are recognized by behaviors, such as improving your Stevia sweeteners come from the the U.S. Food and Drug Administration diet, getting enough exercise and leaves of the stevia plant, an herbal as safe for everyone, including kids and sleep and sharing goals with friends shrub that is native to South America. pregnant and breastfeeding women. and family to help you stay motivated. Stevia sweeteners have no calories. Like other low-calorie sweeteners, stevia They are 200-350 times sweeter sweeteners are an option for people with than sugar, so very little is needed diabetes because they offer sweetness THE BOTTOM LINE to provide the same sweetness. without raising blood sugar. If you have We all love to eat, and staying at Therefore, only a small amount is used diabetes, talk with your healthcare a healthy weight can be challenging. to sweeten drinks, dairy products, provider, a registered dietitian or a certified Stevia sweeteners are safe and can be confectionary, snacks, sauces, syrups diabetes educator for advice on healthy an effective option to help control the and condiments. eating to improve blood sugar control. amount of sugar and calories we eat..