Honey Vs. Stevia

Photo by Siona Watson

Before I get into this subject I need to say that the best thing for health and weight loss is to avoid sugar in all it's forms. However, even though this blog is called "The Primal Home", I am not some super fit, never eat a carb, crossfitter. (Although I greatly admire these types- I'm just not there yet.) For my family, especially the kids, we enjoy something lightly sweet on occasion. I usually use honey to accomplish this. 

I've been getting a lot of comments on my recipes asking if stevia can be substituted for honey.

Honestly I've never used stevia before. It's always been tied in my mind to artificial sweeteners. I realize this is a wrong assumption and that it comes from a plant leaf. But honey has always seemed very "real food" to me.

I've been hearing so much about stevia that I decided to do some investigating. I googled "honey vs. stevia" and when that got me nowhere I tried "honey" and then "stevia". Here's what I found out:

Honey

• Our caveman ancestors would most definitely eaten honey, although it would have been rare. 

• Raw Honey is antibacterial and has many vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. 

• Honey's glycemic index varies depending upon the nectar source. It can range from 30 to 75.

• It has slightly more calories than table sugar per spoonful. 

• Like table sugar, honey will produce an insulin response and blood sugar spike. 

Stevia

• Stevia is a plant with very sweet tasting leaves. 

• Most stevia is processed into a powdered or liquid extract.

• It has been used for hundreds of years in Paraguay and Japan.

• Stevia contains 0 calories. 

• Stevia has been shown to lower elevated blood pressure.

• It is commonly thought that stevia has a glycemic index of 0 and does not produce an insulin response. 

• Some of the more processed brands such as Truvia contain additives.  

• Stevia can sometimes have a licorice like aftertaste. 

After looking around for quite awhile I found no evidence that stevia is harmful and found it may even be beneficial.

I don't plan on replacing my honey completely but I do think I will pick up some stevia the next time I'm at the store and play around with it a little. I have to admit- 0 calories and no insulin response sounds pretty tempting!

Sources and further reading:
http://www.marksdailyapple.com/stevia/
http://www.marksdailyapple.com/the-definitive-guide-to-sugar/
http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2009/feb/16/natural_may_not_be_better71724/http://www.stevia.com/
http://www.stevia.com/

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