Norbu Sweetener - Product Review

The latest sugar alternative product to hit the market is Norbu, is it good, bad and do you believe all the hype? Here is a critical review of the Norbu the natural sweetener

What is Norbu?

• Norbu is a granulated natural sugar that is made from monk fruit (or luo han guo) – used for centuries in Asia

• Sugar alternative

How is it different to sugar?

• 200 x sweeter

• 0.5 calories per tsp compared to 387 calories per tsp

• Almost no glycaemic impact

How is it different to stevia and other natural sweeteners?

• Not as bitter

Is it safe?

• It is certified by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) for use in both food and beverages.

• It is also fructose free

Why is it mixed with Erythritol?

• Just like stevia is it mixed with Erythritol so it may be used by the spoonful

Can I use it the same way I do sugar and/or other sugar substitutes?

• YES! Use 2/3rds Norbu instead of the amount of sugar you would of used in a recipe, tea, coffee, smoothies etc. (you may find you need even less)

Is it safe for diabetics?

• YES! It is natural & NOT artificial as well as being low G.I

What are its Stats?

Serving Size: 100 g,

• Calories: 26,

• Fat: 0g,

• Carbs: 0.3g,

• Protein: 0g

Per Serve

Serving Size: 2 g (1 Stick),

• Calories: 0.5,

• Fat: 0g,

• Carbs: 0g,

• Protein: 0g

Do I believe the hype?

• Yes this is genuinely a great natural sweetener and sugar alternatives

Do you suffer with bad sugar cravings your can't seem to kick? Simply email naednutrition@gmail.com to find out how you can kick your cravings to the curb

You’re Sweet Enough Already

Most of us were brought up on lots of high sugar foods, using sugar for flavouring & drink sugary drinks. Then we discovered the harmful effects of sugar including:

• Increasing weight gain
• Contributing to diabetes and heart conditions
• Cause fatigue, anxiety and hyperactivity
• Stimulate IBS symptoms
• And much more

So the next step was going for artificial sweeteners they had to be better right? WRONG. Their effects are just as harmful:

• Increase blood pressure, insulin resistance and heart disease
• Increases abdominal fat and weight gain
• Gastrointestinal upset
• Toxic to the body
• And much more

But did you know there is a way to get all the sweetness without the harmful effects of sugar or artificial sweeteners? Answer = Stevia

What makes stevia different?

• About 300x’s sweeter than sugar
• It’s a plant – all natural
• Non - toxic

What are the benefits of Stevia?

• Zero Calories
• No effect on blood sugar levels

Is there a down side to Stevia?

• Won’t taste the same in your hot beverages, slightly too sweet and bitter

How do I use Stevia?

The same way as sugar just the measurements are different:

• 1 cup of sugar = ½ tsp of powdered stevia

Try these recipes: 

Blueberry Muffins

Banana Smoothie

Blueberry Yoghurt Cakes
Gogi Power Bars

Curb Those Sugar Cravings

Are you one of those people that look at your watch at 3:30pm & automatically go looking for a chocolate bar? Or maybe it’s the need for a sweet treat to finish off your meal?  Do you find you want more sugary satisfaction after you’ve already had your 4^th biscuit? You’re not alone! It’s not rocket science though, you eat lots of sugar = you crave lots of sugar. But why do you crave it?

Why do we crave sugar?

The sweet taste is the one that is most preferred from birth & we are hardwired to lean towards it. Carbohydrate metabolism stimulates serotonin release (our feel-good hormone.), and many sweet treat foods will trigger the release of endorphins & a ‘food high’. 

Causes of sugar cravings:

-low protein it the diet & overall poor diet

-some medications

-low energy (i.e. poor sleep, poor diet )

-HABIT

-stress (i.e. excess cortisol, adrenalin)

-low in energy co-factor foods (i.e. B vitamins)

-excess intake of artificial sweeteners

-health concerns (i.e. thyroid, menopause, PMT )

How do you beat it?

-check your food intake, keep a food diary & get it check by your qualified health professional

-regular meals & VARIETY= no energy dips = not reaching for sugar as a ‘pick me up’

-protein at every meal = level blood sugar levels

-make food swaps ie: fruit & nuts, veggie sticks & a boiled egg, yoghurt & cinnamon

-increase cinnamon (1tsp per day) = improves blood glucose control

-increase chromium foods:  onion, tomatoes, meats, broccoli, green beans, mushrooms. Chromium is an essential trace mineral that plays an important role in carbohydrate and fat metabolism and helps body cells properly respond to insulin

-skip the artificial sweeteners they only make you crave more sugar

-don’t reward your hard work with sugary treats, pick a different reward i.e. shopping

-check your labels & portions! you may be surprised how much sugar are consuming, here is a good example below: