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SUGAR: HOW SWEET IT IS!"SO LONG AS THERE IS A BREATH IN ME, THAT LONG I WILL PERSIST. IF I PERSIST LONG ENOUGH, I WILL WIN!" Og mandino Sugars are simple carbohydrates. They can be natural (lactose in milk or fructose in fruit) or refined (table sugar). Sugars are absorbed quickly in the bloodstream and create havoc on your insulin levels. This insulin imbalance promotes weight gain. The amount of sugar is always listed in grams. It’s important to remember that 4 grams of sugar is equivalent to one teaspoon. This includes sugar that is found naturally in foods.The words listed below are basically synonyms. They all indicate that sweeteners have been added: 
There is no Percent Daily Value (% DV) for sugar because there is no quantity established for us to consume each day. If the items listed above appear early and often in the food product’s list of ingredients, you’ll know that sugar is predominant and you can make your decisions accordingly. Shockingly, an average piece of chocolate cake can have 25 teaspoons of sugar! A 12 oz. can of soda has 8 teaspoons of sugar! The use of artificial sweeteners has increased dramatically in recent years. Once thought to be the solution, it is now considered to be part of the problem.
READ MORE ABOUT ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS
STEVIAAn alternative to using sugar and artificial sweeteners is a product called Stevia. This extremely sweet, non-caloric herb, is from the Chrysanthemum family. It grows wild as a small shrub in Paraguay and Brazil, and has been used safely for centuries by the native Indians in those countries. The FDA does not approve Stevia but Dr. Oz does! It can be sold in the US, but only as a dietary supplement, not as a “sweetener.” Stevia can be found in many grocery stores and in most health food stores. It can also be ordered online.
High temperatures do not effect Stevia, however, it does not have the baking qualities of sugar. For example, Stevia does not add texture, soften batter, caramelize, enhance browning, or help with the fermentation of yeast. One of the most popular qualities of Stevia is that it has a negligible effect on blood glucose levels! The Coca-Cola Company and Cargill are currently working together to develop a Stevia-derived sweetener called Rebiana.
BACK TO TOP LEAVE SUGAR AND VISIT FIBER
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It is recommended that Stevia be used in very small amounts. It can be “too sweet” (hard to imagine, isn't it?)and have a slight aftertaste if too much is used. 
