Christmas and Sweeteners

It’s been awhile since I posted. Lot’s of Christmas things to do. Well they are finally done. All presents are purchased and wrapped, I’m listening to Christmas Music, and there is snow on the ground. Very "Currier and Ives". It’s been very “wintry” here in the NW. Nice for a change. I think we (local North Westerners) are ready for all of the snow to be gone, even if that means Christmas won’t be white. I don’t think that I’m really ready for the soggy though. That’s sure to come. But…we just passed the shortest day of the year!!! Hip, Hip, Hooray!! The days are going to get longer. Could spring be just around the corner?

I found time to read, even with all the extra things to do. Just didn’t have time to put my thoughts into a post. Today a newsletter came in that was interesting. The FDA has approved Stevia as a GRAS (generally regarded as safe) natural sweetener. They have not “technically approved” of it, they just won’t object to it. Stevia is an herb that grows in south America whose leaf produces a sweetener that is very good because it does not cause any adverse side effects when consumed. We readers of Natural Health blogs, newsletters, and books have been expecting this. We have been told, by the Government agencies that “protect” us from all things harmful, that Stevia sweetener needed "more study" to make sure that "we" wouldn't be hurt. The fact that the people of S.America have been using it for untold years and Japan has used it for a sweetener since around the 1970's, with no adverse effects was of no consequence. Why you ask? Well, some feel that politics and $$ is the real driving force behind FDA decisions. Seems as though an all natural sweetener would compete with artificial sweeteners and the sugar industry of this country.

Well, to make a long story short, there have been Natural Health advocates that have waged a war against Coke and Pepsi about their use of artificial sugar and regular sugars. So, apparently the “Big Boys” got the FDA to approve Stevia as a sweetener to be used in the U.S. However, when you read the label on the cans, Stevia will not be listed, Truvia will. Somewhere in here, I understand, is Cargill. A natural product cannot be patented, therefore no $$ can be made off of it. So, at least one molecule has had to be changed. So, the new product is not completely natural. They (those in the natural food industry) think this will be an improvement over Aspartame. I’m guessing this is so.

Hopefully, we will start to see products appear on grocery shelves with Stevia. It does not promote tooth decay, diabetes, headaches, or any of the other adverse things that have been associated with sugars, natural or artificial. I have been using it for awhile. Cooking with it is a "learning curve" because so little of it is used. Taste is good, slightly different than we are used to, but tasty when the right amount is used. As I said, a learning curve. In my opinion, a step in the right direction.

Healthy Days to you and Remember the "reason for the season"...Your Smiling Maven