Being healthy is sometimes about finding ways to renegotiate your existing habits. Many people love coffee, but don’t enjoy it without a little dressing ­– some cream and sugar. Luckily things are changing and specialty items that used to be expensive substitutes for unhealthy white sugars are becoming more popular and less expensive, even cheaper in some cases.

Stevia is a plant species native to Paraguay that has been used by the indigenous culture of that area for hundreds of years. Its native name is ka’a he’é, a Guarani Indian term that translates into ‘sweet herb.’

The plant, which is small and innocuous looking, holds great sweetness, far more than sugar does. And while it holds similar properties in sweetness as sugar, it has no calories or detrimental effects on our health.

Stevia is being sold in different forms, and is growing in popularity across the world. Just about any health-food store will have it in packets, bottles or in liquid that you can drop into a drink. It serves as a valid substitute for ‘sweeteners’ which often have aspartame or other dangerous substances in them.

Getting into the habit of using Stevia as a sweetener in your coffee is a great way to get a step up on health. It affords you the chance to keep your vices and enjoy your daily practice without worrying about the ill effects. Try it, and see if Stevia really is sweet.