Sugar is all about sweetness, however how long last is that sweet flavor beyond is taste buds is highly questionable. Refined sugar has been under the scanner of health advocates for quite some time now for its potential negative effects on the body and health of individuals.
White sugar is one of the most vilified food ingredients in the last 15 years – for good reason. Excessive consumption of table sugar has been linked to health issues such as obesity, heart disease, cognitive disease, cancers, and of course Type 2 Diabetes just to name a few.
It goes without saying that people would be better off if they consumed their sugar in the form of fruit or just avoid it.
Let us have a look at five alternatives to white sugar:
There’s something to be said for what is probably the world’s oldest sweetener. Honey can have a variety of flavors and levels of sweetness depending on the source. Some can appear dark while others are crystal clear. On top of having a low glycaemic index (which means less impact on your blood sugar) ranging from 40-55, honey has been studied for its potential antimicrobial activity.
Surprisingly, dates are one of the best substitutes for white sugar. The fruit is high in sugar and fiber but offers a more caramel-like flavor. Date sugar, which can be found in many grocery stores, can be used as a one-to-one replacement for granulated or brown sugar. Blended raw dates act as a binder for homemade cookies while also being delicious in smoothies. Finally, homemade date syrup can add a delicious caramel flavor to your morning coffee.
Coconut sugar has a lower glycaemic index, meaning it will not raise blood sugar the way white sugar does. It contains nutrients such as zinc, iron, B vitamins, and inulin, a fiber that feeds probiotics. Coconut sugar is sweet and can be used 1:1 ratio with white sugar.
You’ll get in a few extra nutrients as jaggery contains more nutrients than refined sugar. Refined white sugar contains only empty calories, i.e., calories without any vitamins or minerals. It is safe to say that swapping sugar with jaggery is a healthier option- as long as you don’t overdo it.
Finely chopped in a food processor, raisins can be used as a higher fiber alternative to sugar by using 25 percent more raisins than the recipe called for sugar. The same can be done with dried cranberries; however, doing so may change the color of the dish as well as add a more noticeable fruity flavor.
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