Written by Sura Susan for Boomershub.
You might not know it, but almost everything you’re consuming contains a certain amount of sugar. From the “sugar-free” soft drinks to the sugar you add to your cup of coffee, it’s hidden everywhere.
Though sugar itself isn’t bad per se, consuming too much of it can have adverse health effects, so it’s integral to check your sugar intake.
Let’s take a look at some types of sugar substitutes that you absolutely need to try today.
1. Honey
There’s no better way to start this list than talking about honey. Honey is an excellent natural sweetener. It contains high nutrients such as minerals, antioxidants and vitamins. It’s also much easier for your body to break down than regular sugar and it’s even quite sweeter than sugar itself.
This means that where you’d have to add a few tablespoons of sugar, a few drops of honey would do the job. It also works great with baked goods and you can even add it to salads, sweet dishes and so much more.
The only downside to honey is that it’s quite high in calories. But given how you’ll definitely consume less of it compared to regular sugar; you can easily manage it. Unfortunately, many people mistake honey for being a “bad” sugar because it’s so sweet.
Don’t worry about it- it’s a naturally occurring sweetener used by humans for hundreds of years. So it’s truly the perfect alternative.
2. Dates
Like honey, dates get a bad rep for being a “bad sugar” because they’re sweet. But, did you know that they’re very rich in fiber, minerals such as calcium, iron and more? Dates are also low on the glycemic index, which means that they won’t spike your blood sugar levels as much as refined sugars do.
Dates are great for those with a sweet tooth. In fact, they’re called “nature’s candy”. You can even make a date paste at home by adding chopped-up dates into a blender with ¾ cup of water (for every 1 cup of dates). These are ideal for baking and use in cooking. Like honey, you’ll be using less of it since it’s sweeter than regular sugar.
3. Chicory
Chicory is made from the root of a perennial plant and like dates, it has a very low glycemic index. It consists of fibers, vitamin B and minerals such as phosphorus, iron, magnesium and potassium.
Chicory can help relieve constipation and even help with the maintenance of healthy bacteria in the colon. The only downside to chicory is that it’s often combined with other artificial ingredients. So, you will need to be sure that you’re careful when buying it. Yet, 100% organic chicory is available for those who know what they’re looking for.
4. Agave
Did you know the agave syrup is made from the same plant tequila is made from? Yes, it’s crazy how nature works sometimes! But, unlike tequila, agave syrup has a pretty neutral taste. This makes it really useful for adding this to your tea or coffee.
Like most natural sweeteners, it has a low glycemic index but is much sweeter than regular sugar. As long as you can easily manage your agave intake, this is a great alternative.
5. Coconut
The sap of the flower buds of coconut trees is used to produce coconut sugar. It’s quite readily available in the market if you’re looking for it and is a great alternative to brown sugar. Like all the sugar substitutes mentioned above, it has a low glycemic index and is relatively low in fructose too.
Coconut sugar tastes like regular sugar. So, you can use this as an alternative in baking if you’re particular about measurements. Also, this sugar is an excellent alternative to the sweeter taste of honey and the others mentioned on this list.
6. Monk Fruit
Monk fruits are another sugar alternative you need to keep an eye on if you’re looking for something restrictive in the calorie department. But we would caution you that it is at least 200 times sweeter than sugar (depending on how pure your extracts are).
We realize that it can be challenging to learn to use them. But if you can manage that, then a pinch of monk fruit is perfect for your cooking. Just make sure that you don’t make your food too sweet and you’re good to go.
Also, note that most companies have realized the profit this zero-calorie sugar alternative can bring them. So, be careful that you buy the organic ones without any added sweeteners.
7. Maple Syrup
Yes, we know what you’re thinking. Maple syrup? How is that healthy? Well, you’d be surprised to know that while maple syrup is high in calories, it’s actually a natural sweetener. This also makes maple syrup a healthy ingredient.
Seriously, it consists of calcium, iron, manganese, potassium and zinc. And you can use it with breakfast items, chicken, vegetables and so much more. It’s very versatile and includes almost no fructose, which is a bonus for sure.
Which Artificial Healthier Sugar Alternative Is the Healthiest?
So, as you can see, we provided you with an impressive list of sugar alternatives, all derived from nature. But this isn’t the best and only alternative you have available to you. So if, for some reason, you’re unable to get these, then don’t worry- we’ve got you covered!
There are many artificial sugar substitutes in the market with several health benefits. Here are three of them.
1. Stevia
Stevia is completely 100% zero-calorie. If you’re going for the powdered form, you’ll be happy to know that the processing is minimal. This makes it much sweeter and better than regular sugar.
You can use it in place of regular sugar without worrying about the ratios too. It’s widely available and used by a lot of people.
2. Xylitol
Xylitol is extracted from corn and birchwood and we can find it in various fruits and vegetables as well. It’s a sugar alcohol and you can use it in place of sugar since it lacks fructose. It won’t increase your blood sugar or insulin levels either.
Also, regular sugars may result in teeth and bone decay. But Xylitol has actually been found to improve those areas.
3. Molasses
If you’re into baking, then you’re probably familiar with molasses. It’s a thick, brown and syrupy liquid made from boiling sugar cane or sugar beets. It consists of various vitamins, minerals and antioxidants as well.
If you’re an experienced baker, then you can easily substitute this for regular sugar.
As you can see, there are plenty of ways in which you can ensure that your sugar intake is not too high. The best way to do so is, of course, by using nature’s various supplies. We hope you utilize this guide and consider using any of these substitutes in your daily life.
This article was reshared with the permission of Boomershub.