sugar – Backyard Vitality

Want to Stabilize Blood Sugar? Eat Your Banana This Way

1 min read | Author - Backyard Vitality

Love bananas but worried about blood sugar spikes? Don’t ditch your favorite yellow fruit just yet—just learn how to eat it smarter.

Bananas sometimes get a bad rap for being “too sugary,” especially among those managing diabetes or trying to keep glucose levels in check. But here’s the deal: bananas can be part of a blood sugar-friendly diet—it’s all in the how you eat them.

First off, go for less ripe bananas. The greener the banana, the more resistant starch it contains. Unlike regular sugar, resistant starch acts more like fiber, meaning it digests slowly and doesn’t cause a sharp blood sugar spike. Win!

Pairing is another power move. Add healthy fats and protein—think a banana with a spoonful of peanut butter, some Greek yogurt, or a handful of almonds. This combo helps slow digestion and keeps your blood sugar steadier, longer.

Another tip? Don’t eat bananas alone on an empty stomach. When you pair them with other nutrient-dense foods, you create a more balanced blood sugar response. It’s not just about what you eat, but how you build your plate.

Worried about how many bananas you can have? Most healthy people can enjoy one banana a day without any issues—just be mindful of your overall diet. If you’re loading up on other high-carb foods, it might be best to rotate bananas in with other fruits.

So yes, you can totally keep bananas in your life. Just reach for the greenish ones, pair smartly, and enjoy without the sugar crash.

Banana toast with almond butter? Approved. Smoothie with banana, spinach, and protein? Even better.

Blood sugar balance never tasted so good.

Monk Fruit Is the New King of Natural Sweeteners

1 min read | Author - Backyard Vitality

Monk fruit is stealing the spotlight in the world of natural sweeteners, and for good reason. Sweeter than sugar without the calories or blood sugar spikes, this Southeast Asian fruit is showing up everywhere—from protein powders to electrolyte drinks to keto-friendly cereals. While stevia and sugar alcohols have dominated the low-carb scene for years, monk fruit has quietly become the new favorite.

Why Is Monk Fruit Winning?

For starters, it tastes better. Unlike stevia, which many find too bitter, monk fruit has a smoother, more neutral sweetness. Brands like Four Sigmatic and Magic Spoon spent years experimenting before settling on monk fruit to sweeten their products, often blending it with stevia and allulose for a sugar-like taste without the artificial aftertaste.

Another big factor? No gut issues. Sugar alcohols like erythritol and Splenda can cause bloating and digestive discomfort. Monk fruit sidesteps those problems, making it an easy choice for wellness-conscious consumers.

Is There a Catch?

Monk fruit is hard to grow and expensive to export, making it pricier than other sweeteners. However, its health halo keeps demand high as more people look to cut sugar without sacrificing sweetness.

How to Use Monk Fruit at Home

In drinks – Swap it 1:1 with sugar in coffee, tea, or cocktails.
For cooking – Use it in sauces or caramelized onions for subtle sweetness.
For baking – Some recipes work perfectly, while others require tweaking—experiment before going all in.

As sugar alternatives evolve, monk fruit is proving it’s not just a trend—it’s here to stay.

Low on Money? 7 Ways to Make More Green with Green

5 min read | Author - Susan Patterson

When you think of side hustles, ways to make a little extra money, you may conjure up images of things like selling clothes you don’t wear, walking dogs, babysitting, or even baking and selling cookies. But, have you ever considered taking your love of plants, gardening, and homesteading (even urban homesteading) and using it to turn a quick profit?

Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth With the Natural Sweetener You Can Grow

3 min read | Author - Susan Patterson

Stevia is well known today as a nonnutritive sweetener, a sugar substitute. You can buy powdered stevia products to add sweetness to foods and drinks without adding calories. These products contain rebaudioside A, an extract made from stevia leaves. A more natural way to sweeten foods without calories is to use the whole leaves of stevia.

7 Ways to Use Sugar in Your Garden

5 min read | Author - Susan Patterson

It’s a new year; perhaps the year you will cut all refined sugar from your diet, which is a great thing to do. Your resolution to be healthier, however, may leave you with a few extra bags of white sugar – you know the kind that you loved (past tense) to put in your favorite cookies? No worries, that same sugar that you are trying to nix out of your diet is the very thing your garden needs.

Want to Stabilize Blood Sugar? Eat Your Banana This Way