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Sugar is ubiquitous. So much so it is almost impossible in these modern days to put anything in our mouths (especially if it is processed) that doesn’t contain copious amounts of the stuff. At this point in time you could, in fact, say that sugar dominates the Western diet.
With obesity and diabetes on the rise, many people are looking for healthy sugar substitutes. The problem is, many of these “healthy” alternatives are no heathier than sugar itself. And even worse, some of these alternatives, like aspartame and acesulfame-K, have been linked to cancer.
But fear not, there are actual healthy sugar alternatives that will allow you to treat your sweet tooth without harming your body.
Stevia
Stevia is an herb native to South America and is actually 300 times sweeter than sugar. Yes you read that right, 300 times sweeter. It has been used as a sweetener for hundreds of years in South America as well as Japan. This sweetener has widespread appeal and makes up 41% of the sweetener market.
Stevia ran into a bit of trouble here in America recently with the Food and Drug Administration over the label ‘sweetener’ but that issue was resolved and now Stevia is the second most popular sugar alternative in the United States.
Stevia has no glycemic impact and contains zero calories so it is a perfect substitute for diabetics as well as those watching their weight.
Coconut Sugar
You may have noticed that coconut water has become all the rage with celebrities and health nuts in this country. This popularity has caused many to turn to coconuts for their sweet sap. Coconut sugar is made by taking the sap and heating it to reduce the water content and get it down to granules. This natural sugar has a low score on the glycemic index, which means you can eat it without experiencing those familiar sugar crashes. With a taste similar to that of brown sugar, coconut sugar can easily replace table sugar. Coconuts are also grown and harvested in a more eco-friendly way than sugar cane, so it’s a win/win.
Date Sugar
Date sugar is made by drying dates and grinding them to produce the sugar. The great thing about date sugar is not only is it incredibly rich and delicious, but the sugar retains many of the nutritional benefits of the dates themselves. The only drawback to this healthier substitute is that date sugar does not dissolve easily making it tricky (or impossible) to use in drinks and certain baking recipes. It is, however, a great addition to a whole grain bread recipe.
Honey
Did you know that honey is actually sweeter than sugar? And, if you are able to buy honey that has been organically and locally produced you can reap a huge amount of benefits in the way of vitamins and antimicrobial properties. Not only can you put it in your tea and add it to your baking recipes, but there is also such a wide range of honey flavors on the market you can almost always be tasting something new. (Editor’s Note: Click here for 9 reasons to eat HONEY daily)
Maple Syrup
When we speak of maple syrup, we are referring to actual maple syrup, not some of the brand name syrups that so many grew up on that try and pass themselves off as the real stuff. Maple syrup can easily replace sugar in most baking recipes and give your breads and cookies a delicious and distinctive taste. You may also buy maple sugar, which is simply dehydrated syrup, and use this to replace traditional sugar in any application.
Molasses
Many people don’t know that molasses is actually a by-product from the sugar production process. Because the process of producing tabletop sugar calls for heating the top layer which forms crystals, much of the nutritional benefits are left in the molasses. Blackstrap molasses is incredibly nutritious and an excellent source of iron and calcium.
Brown Rice Syrup
Yes, as the name implies, this sugar is made by boiling brown rice. The resulting syrup is not only sweet and delicious (it tastes a bit like butterscotch) but also gluten and wheat free. It’s quite the versatile sweetener as well as you can cook with it, bake with it, and even drizzle it over oatmeal and pancakes.
Barley Malt Syrup
Barley malt syrup is similar to molasses in texture and has, as you may imagine, a malty taste. This makes it a perfect substitute in baking breads. Two main benefits to this sugar alternative are that the body can easily digest it and it has a low glycemic index. Because it is not as sweet as sugar and has its own distinctive flavor, it may not make the best addition to tea or coffee. Then again it may, it all depends on your own personal taste.
Has all this talk of sugar got you salivating? It’s hard to think of our favorite sweet treats as the enemy. Sometimes in life you just need a little sweet pick-me-up. There’s nothing like a bowl of ice cream after a challenging day at work, or a slice of cheesecake out with family at your favorite restaurant.
Well, what if you could enjoy a warm slice of cinnamon apple crisp, or savor chocolate rum balls and rich chocolate brownies…
Without a care as to how it might affect your waistline or your health?
And what if these desserts were not only irresistibly delicious, but good for you too?
On the very next page you’ll learn about “metabolic power ingredients” that can help to keep your blood sugar stable, promote the feeling of fullness, and even stoke your body’s fat-burning furnace!
Find out how to live an age-defying and disease-free life and STILL enjoy the sweet foods you love.
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