The Stevia Story: A Personal Journey Through Stevia's History and Health Benefits

My Stevia Sweet Journey

I, like many of us, really love my sweets! But as time went on, it became clear that refined sugar was causing more health issues than it was worth. I didn't want to give up my treats, but I also wanted to feel healthy, and that's where my journey with stevia began.

Back in the mid-1980s, the answer practically fell into my lap. I stumbled upon stevia, this amazing plant that's 15 times sweeter than sugar and has absolutely no calories.

At first, stevia was only available in dried, whole leaf, or powdered form, which honestly had its limitations. The whole leaf often had a slight licorice flavor, which was a real turn-off for me, and it didn't dissolve in liquids, making it pretty inconvenient. So, I admit, I continued to consume foods and beverages packed with sugar and, even worse, artificial sweeteners.

Almost ten years later, a little wiser and, well, a bit heavier, I decided to give stevia another look. That's when I heard about Stevioside, also known as white stevia powder, which gives stevia leaves their sweetness. Even though researchers were finding new ways to use these sweet molecules, it was actually illegal to use it as a food back then. So, us "old-timers" would buy it packaged as a "supplement" or even a "skin care treatment". Honestly, we didn't care how it was labeled – we were just so grateful our local health stores sold stevia, especially since online shopping wasn't a thing yet. It wasn't until the 2000s that stevia finally earned its rightful place as a sugar-free, natural sweetener.

Jumping back to the early 90s, one of the new forms of stevia I discovered on the market was a stevia blend – specifically Stevita Organic Spoonable stevia. This new form cleverly combined stevioside extract with a non-carb filler, making it so much easier to measure. With this user-friendly form, I could finally start replacing sugar in my recipes and beverages. And guess what? I started substituting stevia for sugar in my diet and ended up losing 20 pounds! This success truly inspired me to write the original

Cooking With Stevia cookbook, and later, the Paleo-friendly, Low-Carb Cooking With Stevia cookbook. I had no idea that Cooking With Stevia would become a best-selling cookbook, or that it would even be temporarily banned and destroyed by the FDA.

Today, in 2025, highly purified steviol glycosides are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by regulatory bodies like the FDA, a testament to the extensive research and acceptance they've gained over the years.

But hey, now, along with helpful stevia tips, you can enjoy all the best recipes from both Cooking With Stevia cookbooks, absolutely free at StevitaNaturals.com.

Good reading and healthy eating to you!

-Tanya Kirkland

Disclaimer: The information provided on this blog is intended for general knowledge and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment.