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sweet! sugar substitutes
The holiday season presents us with tempting treats and desserts that can be hard to resist. The problem with traditionally sweetened desserts is they’re loaded with sugar, which is addictive. The more you eat, the more you want. Sugar is also high in calories and inflammatory to the body. Excessive consumption is linked to chronic inflammation, autoimmune conditions, energy depletion, skin issues, and heart disease. Sugar contributes to an increased body fat percentage and is also linked to an increased risk of diabetes. If you’re looking to help prevent certain conditions associated with high sugar intake, using natural sweeteners in small amounts can be a healthier alternative.
The Options Sugar alternatives can be natural or artificial. Artificial sweeteners are fake sugar substitutes, which may come from naturally occurring items like herbs or even sugar itself. Natural sweeteners can be healthier, but keep in mind that moderation is key. Even natural substitutions can raise your blood sugar, depending on their glycemic indexes and fructose contents. Limit sugar consumption of any kind. Try flavoring and sweetening food with sprinkles of cinnamon and dashes of vanilla extract. If you have a craving for something sweet, the following alternatives can be healthier options for sweetening baked goods, beverages, and more. For best results, look for recipes that specifically call for a certain sweetener. 26 N O V E M B E R
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• Agave syrup. Extracted from the agave plant, this option must be filtered and transformed into glucose. So, although it’s technically a natural sweetener, agave syrup is still quite highly processed. A popular addition to drinks, teas, and coffees, agave is very sweet. Since agave nectar is 84 percent fructose, it may increase hunger pangs. • Coconut sugar. A plant-based and vegan alternative, this sweetener is made from the sap from the flowers of the coconut palm. Healthier than conventional sugar, coconut sugar contains small amounts of iron, zinc, and inulin, a fiber that can help prevent blood sugar spikes. Coconut sugar adds both texture and color to baked goods, and it does not taste too much like coconuts. Use it as a sugar replacement in your favorite recipes. To help it dissolve as easily as granulated sugar, grind coconut sugar into a fine powder with a spice grinder before baking with it. • Date sugar. Made by pulverizing dried dates into a powder, this sweetener retains a lot of its nutrients. Its drawback is that it absorbs a lot of liquid, so it won’t dissolve or melt as well as other dry sugars. If you use date sugar in baked goods, be sure to adjust the liquid or the items will be dense and dry. Better yet, find recipes that have been created specifically with date sugar in mind.
2021
10/6/21 9:33 AM
