Alternative for Refined Sugar

I know winter is a tough, tough month and we just feel like indulging in everything we know is not great for our health and more importantly not great for our waist lines. Well here is some good news… you don’t have to stop completely. Let’s look at how to kick your sugar habit but still satisfy your sweet tooth? Below we’ll be discussing five healthy, natural alternatives to refined sugar. Use them to sweeten your coffee, add extra flavor to your yoghurt or whenever you want to add a touch of sweetness to your dish without indulging in refined sugar.

Stevia

Stevia is one of the most popular natural sweeteners. This herb which comes from South America is 300 times sweeter than refined sugar. It contains zero calories, so is a great choice if you’re trying to lose weight. Plus, it has no glycemic impact, so it’s a perfect refined sugar alternative if you’re diabetic. Stevia is also very easy to digest which means you won’t suffer from any of the digestive problems that are often associated with sugar substitutes. Try Nature’s Choice Stevia Powder to sweeten your next cup of tea, just remember that it is a lot sweeter than your refined sugar so use it sparingly.

Coconut Sugar

Nature’s Choice Organic Coconut sugar is a staple in my kitchen. Coconut sugar is created by heating the sap from coconut palms. Unlike refined sugar, coconut sugar doesn’t de-stabilize your energy levels, so is ideal if you want to stay productive and focused during the day. Like stevia, it’s also a great choice if you suffer from diabetes because it won’t disrupt your blood sugar levels. Another great thing about coconut sugar is that it supplies your body with nutrients as it sweetens and is a good source of calcium, iron, potassium and zinc.

Date Sugar

Date sugar is made by grinding down dehydrated dates into sugar sized granules. As you’d expect from the production process, it has the same rich and sweet flavour of fresh dates, and shares all their health benefits. These health benefits include promoting healthy digestion, strengthening your heart and lowering your blood pressure. The main negative of date sugar is that it doesn’t melt or dissolve easily, so it’s not a good choice if you want to sweeten your drinks. It does however make delicious desserts, smoothies and sweet snacks.

Honey

Honey is sweeter than refined sugar and has a much greater range of health benefits. It contains high levels of vitamins and minerals which support many vital processes within the body. It also has antibacterial and antifungal properties, so is a perfect sweetener for boosting your immunity. Unlike refined sugar, honey is also great for your skin and can help make it brighter, smoother and more radiant. Use good quality honey as it is great in tea and can also be used as a replacement for sugar in many recipes. Lesser quality honey just doesn’t have the clean, natural and distinct flavor that good quality honey does.

Maple Syrup

Maple syrup contains around half the calories of refined sugar and is a much more nutritious choice. It’s loaded with antioxidants which protect your body’s cells from damage and reduce the visible signs of aging. Maple syrup is also a brilliant source of the manganese and zinc which boost your metabolism and your immune system. In addition to this, it’s great for your skin and can protect against skin blemishes, dry skin and redness. Finally, maple syrup has been shown to protect against a range of chronic ailments and diseases including arthritis, cancer, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease and heart disease.

We just LOVE this amazing tasting warning winter smoothie made with NO refined sugar and using seasonal winter ingredients!

Your health & wellness coach
Christine Phillips
Health Yourself

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AuthorChristine PhillipsCategoryDessert