Interesting Info on Stevia

[Daisy_Girl]

Yup, found out I was PG a few weeks ago. I am just under 7 weeks PG now. Due end of Jan 06.

Not really training hard ... but then again, I backed off training and dieting in the couple months we were trying to conceive. I was worried excessive dieting and training would negatively impact conception - not likely, but I wasn't willing to chance anything. A baby is WAY more important to me than a few body fat percentages.

I am doing 30min cardio 4-5x a week, stretching 3-4x a week, abs about 2-3x a week. I am lifting about 2x a week - mostly machines.

My cardio is moderate, enough to break a sweat, but not much more. Heartrate stays around 140, give or take. I can talk comfortably the entire time.

Abs are mostly on the ball, just a few sets. Mostly just to keep abdominal tone. In about 5 weeks, I will have to restrict ab work, so I am getting more in now.

I am stretching - mostly legs and hips to minimize back pain. Plus, studies show that strong flexible legs can help delivery.

I am just not comfortable lifting heavy now. I am not even comfortable with free weights. I am sticking with machines, and usually 3 sets of 15 reps. I am NOT going to failure, but the last 2 reps feel tough. I like machines because they give me body support.

The goals here are to reduce tension and stress, keep in shape as much as possible, and to help minimize symptoms. Doctor wants me to gain 30-33 lbs, although he has not ruled out gaining more for me. 25-35 lbs is normal healthy weight gain for a singleton.

 

[musclemom]

from the January 2005 issue of Alternative Medicine:

The FDA has still not approved [Stevia] for use in foods because of concerns about its safety: Male rats fed stevia's active ingredient, stevioside, produced fewer sperm; pregnant hamsters eating it had fewer live babies and higher death rates. Also, studies have shown that a chemical in stevioside can cause changes in the genes of lab animals. Stevia advocates argue that the doses used in the animals were much larger than what human beings would consume, and that the sweetener has been used safely in other countries for many years, so they aren't worried about any adverse health effects.

A more immediate problem for some is the bitter overtone to the sweetness. And it doesn't work well in baking.

Just FYI.......

I just have to put in my $0.02 here. I've been using Stevia for at least 6 months if not more. I have chemical allergies so alternative sweeteners were out of the question, and saccharine started giving me shooting pains, so that crap went out the window. Thank god I found out about stevia. It literally has been in use in other countries for HUNDREDS of years. It's TOTALLY natural, it's made from the leaves of a bush.

I've had NO problems using stevia, and the thing is, you use an amazingly tiny amount for sweetness and that's one of the first things you have to relearn, to use way LESS than you would use of other types of sweeteners.

There are even some alternative studies that have proven that it's beneficial to the body.

I guess the thing is, you use your own judgement, but I am extremely distrustful of anything our government says anymore, especially when it comes to the FDA and natural foods/supplements.

Best, Harriet