Wednesday, March 17, 2004

Sweet secret to cutting carbs

Everyone seems to be talking about low-carb diets these days — especially now that we are in the middle of diet season. Magazines are featuring Atkins and South Beach success stories, food companies are creating low-carb versions of familiar favorites, and even fast food restaurants are changing their menus to take advantage of the trend.

An estimated 80 million Americans have tried low-carb diets and the number is expected to grow over the next year as reports of their effectiveness spreads. According to WebMD, there is now evidence that the diets not only work, but are almost twice as effective as low-fat diets.

“Cutting down on sugar consumption is an important part of the success of any low-carb diet,” said Jim May, founder of SweetLeaf Stevia, the company that developed and markets all-natural SteviaPlus. “One simple way to do this is by using a sugar alternative and stevia is accepted worldwide as the only zero carbohydrate, zero calorie and zero glycemic natural sweetener.”

Sugar alternatives are everywhere, but many of them are made from chemicals and are lacking in flavor. Diet-conscious consumers are now demanding better-tasting, natural alternatives to sugar that will not add extra calories or carbs to food. Artificial sweeteners are manufactured in test tubes. Stevia started in a rain forest.

Low calorie but high glycemic sweeteners such as Equal and Sweet-N-Low are sabotaging low-carb diets. The glycemic index (GI) is a ranking of carbohydrates based on their immediate effect on blood sugar levels. Carbohydrates that breakdown quickly during digestion have the highest glycemic indexes. The blood glucose response is fast and high. Carbohydrates that breakdown slowly, releasing glucose gradually into the blood stream, have low glycemic indexes. Low GI foods aid inhibit weight loss, improve the body's sensitivity to insulin, help re-fuel carbohydrate stores after exercise, improve diabetes control, keep the body fuller longer, and prolong physical endurance.

SweetLeaf SteviaPlus is additionally unique because it is the only zero carb stevia product on the market that contains added fiber, an important part of any diet plan. Each packet provides 1 gram of natural, soluble fiber. Typically people on low-carb diets don’t get enough fiber and are continually looking for supplemental fiber sources.

Because it is stable in hot or cold foods, SteviaPlus works well as a flavoring for all kinds of beverages and can be used instead of sugar for most recipes. Stevia is safe for everyone, including people with diabetes and is available in convenient single-serving packets, liquid, powder, tabs and concentrate. It is sold in health food stores, natural food sections of grocery stores or online at www.buywisdom.com.

SweetLeaf manufactures a full line of stevia products. For more information, a free sample and recipes visit www.sweetleaf.com or call (800) 899-9908.

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