Before you resign yourself to letting out your belt notch after Thanksgiving Dinner, you might try instead to make some of the traditional favorites with a natural, zero-calorie sweetener that is made with rebiana, from the stevia leaf.  Stevia is a plant native to portions of northeastern Paraguay.  It has been used to sweeten foods and beverages for more than 200 years.

The sweetner makes Cranberry Sauce 100 percent sugar free with 80 percent fewer calories than the traditional recipe.  Or try the Pumpkin or Pecan Pie, both with substantially less sugar and calories when made with this natural sweetener.

Truvia is available at most grocery store chains and stores like Whole Foods, Wal-Mart and Target.  The sweetener comes in boxes of small packets and retails for $3.99 for a box of 40 packets.

Cooked Cranberry Sauce with Truvia™ Natural Sweetener

This zesty and sweet cranberry sauce is made using the natural goodness of Truvia™ natural sweetener. Made with Truvía™ natural sweetener this fruit sauce has 100% less sugar and contains 80% fewer calories* than a full sugar fruit sauce.

Makes 16 servings

Ingredients 

2 cups cranberries, washed ½ tsp cinnamon ¾ cup water 12 packets of Truvia™ Natural Sweetener

Directions 

1. Assemble all ingredients. 2. Place cranberries in cooking kettle; add Truvia™, cinnamon, water and salt; cook over medium heat for 25 minutes; stirring occasionally. 3. Remove from heat; allow to cool for 25 minutes. 4. Transfer into bowl; cover; serve warm or refrigerate.

Nutrition Facts per serving 

Calories 10; Total Fat, 0g; Saturated Fat, 0g; Trans Fat, 0g; Cholesterol, 0mg; Sodium, 0mg; Total Carbohydrate, 5g; Dietary Fiber, 1g; Sugars, 0g; Erythritol, 3g: Protein, 0g; Vitamin A, 0% DV; Vitamin C, 4% DV; Calcium, 0% DV; Iron, 0% DV.

Pumpkin Pie with Truvia™ Natural Sweetener

This traditional favorite is sweetened with the natural goodness of Truvia™ natural sweetener. Made with Truvia™ natural sweetener this pie has 80% less sugar and contains 30% fewer calories* than a full sugar pie.

Makes 9″ Pie (8 servings)

Ingredients

Pastry for single-crust 9-inch pie 1 can (16 ounces) pumpkin 1 can (12 ounces) evaporated fat-free milk 3 eggs 20 packets Truvia™ natural sweetener 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 ½ teaspoon pumpkin spice ¼ tsp Diamond Crystal® kosher salt Light whipped topping, optional

Directions

1. Roll out pastry on floured surface 1 inch larger than inverted 9-inch pie pan. 2. Ease pastry into pan; flute and trim edge. 3. Mix pumpkin, evaporated milk, and eggs on medium speed until well blended; add additional ingredients; mix well. 4. Pour mixture into prepared pastry shell. 5. Bake at 400°F for 35 to 40 minutes or until knife inserted into center comes out clean. 6. Cool on wire rack. 7. Top with whipped topping, if desired.

Nutrition Facts per serving 

Calories 250; Total Fat, 12g; Saturated Fat, 5g; Trans Fat, 2.5g; Cholesterol, 105mg; Sodium, 410mg; Total Carbohydrate, 39g; Dietary Fiber, 5g; Sugars, 4g; Erythritol, 8g: Protein, 6g; Vitamin A, 100% DV; Vitamin C, 6% DV; Calcium, 15% DV; Iron, 8% DV.

  Pecan Pie with Truvia™ Natural Sweetener

Makes 8 servings

Be tempted by this unbelievably addictive and decadent pie! Made with traditional pecans, wholesome oats and Truvia™ natural sweetener, this pie has 65% less sugar and contains 20% fewer calories* than a sugar-sweetened pecan pie. Make this pie your family tradition!

 Ingredients 

1 unbaked, Pie Shell 9” ½ cup dark corn syrup 16 packets Truvia™ ½ cup quick oats ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted ¼ tsp salt 2 large eggs, beaten ¾ cup pecans ½ tsp vanilla extract 2 Tbsp water 1 tsp molasses 

Directions

1. Assemble all ingredients. 2. Preheat oven to 350° F. 3. In a medium mixing bowl combine: corn syrup, Truvia™, oats, melted butter, salt, beaten eggs, pecans, vanilla, water and molasses. 4. Pour into a prepared unbaked pie shell. 5. Bake @ 350° F for 45-50 minutes until set. 6. For a crisper bottom crust, preheat a cookie sheet in the oven before placing unbaked pie on sheet to bake. 7. Allow pie to rest on a cooling rack for an hour before slicing. 

Nutrition Facts per serving

Calories 340; Total Fat, 21g; Saturated Fat, 7g; Trans Fat, 0g; Cholesterol, 115mg; Sodium, 280mg; Total Carbohydrate, 42g; Dietary Fiber, 2g; Sugars, 9g; Erythritol, 7g: Protein, 5g; Vitamin A, 10% DV; Vitamin C, 0% DV; Calcium, 2% DV; Iron, 6% DV.