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Get advice on healthy eating, nutrition, and weight loss from expert dietitian Tara Gidus.
See all posts »Super Food of the Week: Monk Fruit
We all need to cut down on our sugar intake, but that doesn't mean you can't satisfy your sweet tooth. Naturally sweeten your favorite beverages and foods with my
super food of the week : Monk Fruit.
Monk fruit is a small green melon grown on lush vines in Asia, where it has been cultivated for hundreds of years. Monk fruit's unique flavor comes from natural antioxidants in the fruit that have a delicious sweet taste, but are calorie-free. I first heard of this exotic fruit when monk fruit concentrate, an all-natural and fruit-based sweetening ingredient, debuted at the 2011 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo (FNCE).
Leading brands such as Kashi, Bear Naked, and So Delicious Dairy Free are using monk fruit in their foods. By using the calorie-free sweetening ingredient, they have been able to significantly reduce their sugar levels while maintaining their signature great taste.
Now you can also use monk fruit in place of sugar in your own recipes. Nectresse is the latest brand of all-natural, low-calorie sweetener, and is derived from monk fruit. Is Nectresse going to be the new sweetener packet to use? Time will tell. It works great in:
- Smoothies
- Oatmeal
- Cereal
- Greek Yogurt
- On fruit
- In your favorite sauces or glazes for dessert
- Beverages like coffee, tea, or iced tea
Give monk fruit a try today!
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