Sugar is a highly prevalent and widely consumed ingredient in today’s food culture. It is often added to our food and beverages to make them taste more appealing and enjoyable.
However, high sugar intake is associated with a myriad of health risks, including weight gain, diabetes, and heart disease.
Additionally, sugar can be extremely addictive and difficult to moderate, which can lead to a host of further health problems.
As such, it’s important to be aware of the potential risks when consuming sugar, and to know what other options are available instead.
In this blog post, we’ll be exploring 8 better choices than sugar that provide the same sweetness without the unhealthy side effects.
From natural sweeteners, to sugar substitutes, we’ll provide options that are better for your health and provide a more balanced approach to your diet.
So, let’s dive in and take a look at 10 better choices than sugar.
1. Natural Sweeteners like maple syrup, honey, and molasses
Natural sweeteners like maple syrup, honey, and molasses are often seen as healthier alternatives to white sugar, and for good reason.
They’re made from natural sources, and are generally much lower in calories and carbohydrates than white sugar.
Additionally, they contain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can provide health benefits.
When compared to white sugar, these natural sweeteners are a better choice for sweetening your food and drinks.
However, it’s important to remember that they are still a source of sugar and should be used in moderation.
2. Fruits like dates, apples and figs
Fruits like dates, apples, and figs are excellent alternatives to sugar.
They are all naturally sweet, full of vitamins and minerals, and contain beneficial dietary fibre.
Dates are especially high in fibre, potassium, and magnesium, which makes them an excellent snack for boosting energy and reducing cravings.
Apples contain pectin, which helps regulate blood sugar levels, and figs are rich in antioxidants that can help protect cells from damages from oxidative stress.
All three fruits are delicious on their own, and can also be used to sweeten desserts and other recipes, making them a great healthy option for satisfying a sweet tooth without relying on added sugars.
3. Stevia and monk fruit extract
Stevia and monk fruit extract are two of the most popular alternatives to sugar.
Both are natural sweeteners derived from plants, and they don’t contain any calories, unlike white sugar.
They’re also much sweeter than white sugar, so you only need a tiny bit to get the same sweetness as a spoonful of sugar.
Plus, they don’t have the same effect on your teeth that sugar does, so you can use them in recipes or even put them in your coffee or tea without worrying about cavities.
4. Coconut sugar
Coconut sugar is another good alternative to refined white sugar.
It has a rich caramel flavor and is low glycemic, meaning it won’t cause a spike in your blood sugar levels.
Coconut sugar is made from the sap of cut flower buds of the coconut palm and is more nutrient-dense than white sugar, containing some minerals and antioxidants.
It is still a form of sugar, so it must be used in moderation.
5. Xylitol
Number five on our list of better choices than sugar is Xylitol.
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that is naturally found in many fruits and vegetables.
It has a sweetness similar to sugar but with 40% fewer calories.
It is also beneficial for oral health because it does not contribute to tooth decay like sugar does.
Xylitol is a great choice for baking, although it does not brown as easily as sugar, so it’s best to use in recipes that require light colored treats.
6. Erythritol
Coming in at number 6 on our list of better choices than sugar is erythritol.
Erythritol is a sugar alcohol that occurs naturally in certain fruits and fermented foods and is also produced commercially.
It is a naturally occurring sweetener that is 70% as sweet as sugar, but contains very few calories and has no effect on blood sugar or insulin levels.
It also has a very low glycemic index and can be used in baking and cooking.
Erythritol is a great alternative to sugar if you are looking for a low-calorie sweetener with a mild, sweet flavor.
7. Agave nectar
Agave nectar is a popular alternative to sugar, made from the agave plant.
It has a low glycemic index, so it won’t cause blood sugar spikes.
It also has a milder flavor than other sweeteners, and contains fewer calories than sugar.
Agave nectar is a great option if you want to get the same sweetness without the calorie overload.
It’s also great for baking, since it doesn’t leave your food too dry.
It can be used as a replacement for sugar in most recipes.
8. Yacon syrup
Yacon syrup is an ideal sugar alternative for those looking to reduce their sugar intake.
This syrup is made from the yacon root, a tuber found in the Andes Mountains.
Yacon syrup is much sweeter than regular sugar, so less is needed to achieve the same sweetness.
It also contains prebiotics and is low-calorie and low-glycemic, making it a better choice for those watching their weight and sugar intake.
Additionally, yacon syrup has a rich, molasses-like flavor that adds a unique sweetness to dishes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is important to remember that too much sugar can have negative health implications.
To avoid these risks, it is best to look for alternative sweeteners that are healthier than sugar.
By using natural sweeteners such as honey, maple syrup, molasses, and dates, you can still enjoy sweetness without overloading on sugar.
Additionally, these natural sweeteners are healthier and can provide a variety of benefits that sugar cannot.
