A "Healthy Soda" Super-Special: Is Diet Soda Good For You, Stevia DeMystified, Sugar Alcohols, Natural Flavors & More.

If you happened to watch the most recent Crossfit Games, you may have noticed they were brought to you by...soda. That's right: a soda company was sponsor of the 2016 Reebok CrossFit Games, the worldwide competition to find the Fittest On Earth. Not exactly something you'd associate with Coke or Pepsi or Mountain Dew (or my all-time favorite Dr. Pepper), is it? The name of the soda company is "Zevia", and my guest on today's show is Paddy Spence, who is a 23-year veteran of the natural and organic foods industry - a guy who completely cut sugar out from his diet 14 years ago, and a guy who then purchased Zevia, a line of stevia-sweetened sodas that is now the world's top-selling zero-calorie, natural diet soda. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two daughters and is an avid athlete, having completed over 40 triathlons and trained in martial arts such as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling, Shotokan Karate and boxing.

During our discussion, you'll discover:

-How one can make the argument that "caveman drank soda", and the fascinating history of fermented beverages and soda-like compounds...[12:00]

-How did the name Zevia come to be...[17:30]

-What causes "keto flu" and how to avoid getting it...[21:50]

-Why stevia tastes bitter to some people...[28:05] -Why Coke's "TruVia" and Pepsi's "PureVia" can actually be very bad for you (and why not all stevia is created equal)...[32:30]

-How sugar alcohols are processed by your body, and the one form of sugar alcohol that won't make you fart...[40:15]

-The little-known fruit grown in the foothills of China that actually does not spike your blood sugar...[42:25]

-Why many natural flavors come from pretty nasty sources, including the anal gland of a beaver...[50:00]

-The big reason you need to avoid anything that lists "caramel color"...[56:45]

-My own personal vodka cocktail mix I use with Creme Soda flavored Zevia, and how my kids make Root Beer Floats with Root Beer flavored Zevia...[59:00]

-Paddy's amazing recipe for a Zevia custard dessert...[61:10]

-And much more!

Resources from this episode: -Zevia soda -Simply Gum -Here’s the recipe for Banana Swirl, created by Paddy's amazing wife Jerra Spence: 2 frozen bananas, a pinch of cinnamon, and a couple of splashes of Zevia Cream Soda. Combine all of these in a high-powered blender and mix until the bananas are smooth & creamy. Place in freezer for 30-60 minutes. Serve in a dish, possibly with some stevia-sweetened chocolate chips on top!

Do you have questions, comments or feedback for Paddy or me? Leave your thoughts at BenGreenfieldFitness.com and one of us will reply!

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