It’s hard for those of us who love sweet treats. Some of us – like me – can go down a slippery slope quickly once we get a taste of sweets! But really, who doesn’t enjoy a sweet treat? Sugar is the one taste to which most of us take an instant liking. But how can you enjoy the benefits of sugar without the empty calories?
Sugar is a natural product. It is grown in nature and tastes good. The problem is that we eat too much of it. Sugar is added to everything. Adding sugar leads to empty calories being consumed.
Instead of using pure cane sugar in your recipes and as a condiment, try a few sugar substitutes.
Stevia – This is a sugar substitute that grows from an herb. It is sweeter than table sugar so you don’t use as much. It also contains FOS, or fruit oligosaccharides. Using stevia helps aid in digestion by keeping the level of good bacteria in the intestine at an optimal level.
Xylitol – You have probably seen this compound mentioned on gum packages. It is the new ingredient being added to sugarless gum. Xylitol comes from plants and is a natural sweetener. It is useful for helping prevent tooth decay.
Agave nectar – This sweetener comes from plants in Mexico and Central America. The plants grow for many years and sap extracted to create the nectar or syrup. It has a low glycemic index meaning that using it won’t spike your blood sugar. It provides steady fuel and some say it tastes similar to honey.
Do you have a favorite recipe that you use which includes a more healthy sugar substitute? If you do, share it with us here by leaving a comment below.
I like to use liquid stevia in unsweetened coconut milk yogurt, topped with 1/4 cup of cashews and 1/4 cup of berries…the brand I prefer is NuNaturals clear liquid stevia..it is so versatile!
I think having something sweet once in awhile is fine (moderation not deprivation is my mantra), but definitely if someone is craving lots of sugar there may be mineral/vitamin deficiencies or something more concerning that warrants further investigation…the good ol’ sugar beastie!
Avoiding sugar will help so many health concerns, especially inflammation. These are some good alternatives.
I love using raw honey. I don’t cook with it, but use it in smoothies, tea and over grapefruit. I’m also going to try mixing some essential oils into honey.