Back to reality! Christmas time was awesome, but I'm ready for 2011 to get here!

Purevia, Stevia; Better Than Splenda?

If you watch any TV, you've probably started to see ads for a new, herb based sweetener called Stevia or Purevia. Both of these sweeteners are derived from the Stevia plant. If you are asking why this matters and why you should read on, well let me tell you.

Over the years many of us that are insistent on watching our weight have switched from sugar to Equal, then from Equal to Splenda, etc, etc. As we look for ways to be healthier and control our weight better, we find "better" products. I personally switched to Splenda years ago until just a few months back when I read some alarming information!

If you aren't aware of what blood sugar / insulin is, then you probably should be. I'll promise you that if you don't learn now, you will likely learn when you are older. I covered some of the details in my latest article, "Post Pardum Weight Loss".

Anyway, this is where the alarming information comes in. I just happened to look at the Stevia box at the health food store the other day and realized that it had clinical information on it comparing Stevia and Splenda. I thought that was cool, until I actually started to understand that what it was saying was Splenda has been cheating me all of this time!

According to a little chart on the back of the box, Stevia is the only sweetener that doesn't spike your blood sugar when consuming it. If the whole point in using an artificial sweetener is to control your blood sugar, then why wouldn't I just use sugar instead of Splenda or Equal?

My point is this, all of those diet sodas and skinny lattes that I thought were "safe" for my weight, may not be? If that's true, I'm sooooo upset that I've been sabotaging myself all of this time!

Of course every time I've switched sweeteners, it's been because another new one comes out and has a study that debunks the old one. Since this is also the case, I'm skeptical. However, in the meantime, I'm staying away from Splenda, diet soda, etc.

Here are three great sources to read if you would like further info:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/83499-stevia-insulin-reactions/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Splenda

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stevia

Of course, many of you are probably asking, what does it taste like? I can tell you that depending on the brand, it tastes like an artificial sweeteners. Because it's 200-300 times sweeter than sugar, you don't have to use very much. Personally, the Purevia brand seems a little more palatable. However, I'd like to research some more before I settle on a particular brand.

Lastly, as I've been researching this post, I've noticed that Stevia is actually not recommended for anyone who is pregnant or nursing due to a lack of information in those conditions. Check out Side Effects here:

Webmd

Please do yourself a favor and watch this short video on sugar's effect on your body:


Take care & God Bless!
Bob
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Post Pardum Weight Loss

"Post pardum weight loss" isn't a term that you are probably used to hearing. We are so used to hearing about post pardum depression that it sounds so dark. However almost all women struggle with this aspect of their motherhood at some point. As a matter of fact, most people in general struggle with weight loss at some point in their lives.

With our culture of processed foods and over-sweetened treats it's very difficult to eat "healthy" without feeling like you are being tortured. Especially now that we are in the middle of the holidays; we all feel like saying "forget it, I'll eat what I want". As I've been thinking about my personal struggles with weight loss and Patsy's challenges with her left over baby weight, it occurred to me that maybe it's a good time to at least consider what we are doing now so that we don't dig too big of a hole for our inevitable New Year's Resolutions.

So here are some quick points that may help you mitigate the damage that those holiday treats may cause:

1.) Portion Control / Food Timing:
Many times when we over eat, we regret it within an hour. If you just keep that in mind prior to an upcoming event it may help you take it a little easier during the feast?

2.) Water / Hydration:
It's pretty common that cocktails will be flowing during this festive time. Whether your goal is social or full on buzz, take the time to drink a glass of water in between drinks. Not only will this fill you up, but it will definitely take the edge off of the hangover Grinch the next day; which often leads to a greasy cure anyway (2 for 1).

3.) Glycemic Index:
Not to get too complicated here, but this index is a measure of how foods affect your blood sugar; and blood sugar determines how your body secretes insulin and handles those calories (stores as fat or not). Obviously, you can't control the glycemic index of Aunt Judy's pie, but you should be aware of what foods aren't so bad and which ones are. Below, I've organized a great list that we've hung on our own fridge. This is a great tool for anyone that's looking to control their weight. Just remember that these are on a scale of 100, with 100 spiking your blood sugar the most:

Here's link to a downloadable / printable version.

5.) Don't starve the beast within:
This one is really simple! If you know that you are planning on pigging out for dinner, don't wait all day to eat. By doing this, you are putting yourself into starvation mode and will almost guarantee that you will eat too much. In addition to this, your body will be more likely to store those calories as fat (and who wants that?). Instead, try to eat several small balanced meals that day that are higher in protein and fat and a little lighter on the carbs. Your body should respond by steadying your appetite, revving your metabolism and shrinking your stomach. You'll be perfectly set up to enjoy your feast and say no to that third slice of pie!

4.) Exercise:
This is definitely a bad word during the chilly months of the year, but it doesn't have to be! If you just consider the millions of Wii's that have been sold to American's, my guess is that someone in your circle of friends and family has a Wii that you can play with. Even if that isn't the case, a good old winter coat and nice long walk can still do wonders for how your body handles those extra calories.

Summary:
Since this topic is near and dear to my heart, I'll be writing more about how we can set some goals and keep those in mind so that we don't sabotage our jump start for next year. In the meantime, eat just a little slower, a little smarter, and drink some water. Then maybe, just maybe, you won't want to pass out after dinner and you'll be able to muster up a Wii game or quick walk before the vedge set's in?

Good luck and God Bless!
Merry Christmas!

Of course, be sure to check out our great selection of handmade boutique diaper bags for that hard to shop for new mother on your list:
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