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Healthy Sweet Alternatives To Include In Your Diet
You must have faced numerous occasions when you're in the mood to treat yourself with some mouth-watering sweets but you're just not allowed to do so because it can harm your health and trigger diabetes, obesity and numerous other ailments.
Don't worry, we've got some news that might just cheer you up - there are alternatives to sweets and sugar, which are healthy and affordable! Now you can munch down on your sweets without having to answer your doctor.
Keeping away from sugar can be really hard, especially with all the tempting delicacies that seem to be filled with sugar, sweet and all things nice. On the other hand, not being able to control sugar cravings can have multiple outcomes, none of which we want to deal with.
The usual sugar that we use doesn't have much to boast about - it doesn't have proteins, vitamins or minerals good for our body. It often leads to weight gain, especially higher levels of fat and insulin, eventually leading to deadly diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, etc.
Why then are you still holding on to sugar? Don't worry, it's not your fault as sugar has an addictive nature and it might not be under your control all the time to keep away from it. But now you can bid goodbye to sugar because you have other healthier methods by which you can sweeten your favourite dishes.
Here are 8 healthy sweet alternatives that you can have when craving for sugary treats:
1.
Stevia
2.
Raw
Honey
3.
Erythritol
4.
Dates
5.
Yacon
Syrup
6.
Organic
Coconut
Sugar
7.
Maple
Syrup
8.
Unsulfured
Blackstrap
Molasses
1. Stevia
Why choose Stevia?
•
It's
a
natural
sweetener
extracted
from
the
leaves
of
a
shrub
called
Stevia
rebaudiana.
•
It
has
zero
side
effects,
zero
calories,
many
health
benefits
(lowers
blood
pressure,
blood
sugar
levels,
insulin
levels,
does
not
make
you
gain
weight,
fights
diabetes)
.
•
It
can
be
consumed
on
a
regular
basis.
•
It's
available
in
different
varieties
which
differ
slightly
in
taste.
•
It's
also
available
in
both
powder
and
liquid
form.
•
Due
to
the
number
of
brands
under
which
it
is
sold,
make
sure
to
buy
it
from
a
verified
and
genuine
source
only.
What can Stevia be used with?
Stevia is a complete replacement for sugar and can be used to sweeten any kind of dessert, pudding, smoothies, tea, coffee, etc. But you must take care of one thing - do not overuse it. A little bit of it would be enough to get the desired result. Next time you're making those brownies, ditch the sugar and show some Stevia-love.
2. Raw Honey
Why choose Honey?
•
It's
rich
in
antioxidants
and
contains
moderate
amounts
of
vitamins
and
minerals,
small
amounts
of
amino
acids,
antimicrobial
agents
and
electrolytes.
•
It
helps
with
allergies
and
lowers
the
risk
of
diseases.
•
A
small
amount
of
it
would
suffice
to
provide
the
sweetness
that,
in
the
case
of
sugar,
would
require
large
amounts.
•
It
contains
fructose
and
hence,
should
be
used
in
trace
amounts.
•
Like
Stevia,
honey
is
sold
under
various
brand
names
and
quality
and
authenticity
should
be
ensured
while
purchasing
it.
What can Honey be used with?
Honey and Stevia are more or less the same in this regard. They can be used with almost all food items except that honey, being in liquid form, cannot be used in preparing certain dishes, especially confectionery, wherein powdered forms of sugar cannot be replaced.
3. Erythritol
Why choose Erythritol?
•
It
does
not
contain
the
harmful
effects
of
normal
sugar,
nor
does
it
raise
insulin
levels,
cholesterol
or
sugars.
It
doesn't
cause
teeth
decay
as
well.
•
It's
a
sugar
alcohol
but
contains
fewer
calories
-about
6%
of
the
calories
in
actual
sugar.
•
It
tastes
almost
like
Sugar.
•
The
body
cannot
break
down
this
compound
and
lets
it
get
absorbed
into
the
bloodstream,
after
which
it
is
excreted
out
as
urine.
•
Consuming
it
too
much
may
cause
mild
digestive
issues.
What can you use Erythritol with?
It is available in both the powder and liquid forms and can be used with all items of cooking, all kinds of confectionery and desserts.
4. Dates
Why choose Dates?
•
It's
rich
in
antioxidants,
vitamins,
minerals,
especially
potassium,
and
fibre.
•
It
has
a
lower
glycemic
index
than
sugar
but
is
sweeter
than
per
part
of
sugar.
•
It
slows
down
the
rate
of
absorption
of
sugar
because
of
its
high
fibre
content.
•
It
regulates
the
sugar
content
in
the
body.
•
The
potassium
removes
toxins
and
helps
balance
electrolytic
content
in
the
body.
•
It
decreases
cholesterol,
improves
energy
and
helps
with
constipation.
What can Dates be used with?
You can either use dates or dates syrup for cooking. Dates are a great option for making nutrient bars, smoothies and cakes. But they also go well with most other food items.
5. Yacon Syrup
Why choose Yacon Syrup?
•
It
is
extracted
from
a
plant
of
the
same
name.
•
It's
more
or
less
like
honey
when
it
comes
to
consistency
and
has
the
same
sweetness.
•
It
helps
with
weight
loss.
•
The
sugar
found
in
this
syrup
cannot
be
digested
by
the
body
and
therefore,
it
contains
only
one-third
of
the
calories
in
actual
sugar.
•
Unlike
actual
sugar,
the
sugar
contained
in
this
syrup
helps
the
'good' bacteria
in
the
gut
to
function
properly,
reducing
the
risk
of
diseases
like
Candidiasis.
•
If
consumed
in
excess
amounts,
it
can
cause
digestive
problems
in
elderly
people.
What can you use Yacon Syrup with?
Yacon syrup, unlike the other contents of this list, cannot be used in cooking and baking. This is because at very high temperatures, the sugar in the syrup - called fructooligosaccharides - starts to break down. That's why it's best to use this syrup in small amounts in tea or coffee or as a salad dressing.
6. Organic Coconut Sugar
Why use Organic Coconut Sugar?
•
It
is
extracted
from
the
sap
of
coconut
palm.
•
It's
high
in
fibre,
nutrients
(iron,
calcium,
zinc,
potassium),
electrolytes
and
antioxidants.
•
It
contains
Inulin,
a
type
of
fibre
which
reduces
the
rate
of
absorption
of
glucose,
thereby
rendering
it
a
lower
glycemic
index
than
sugar.
•
It
is
high
in
fructose
and
therefore,
must
be
consumed
in
small
amounts.
What can you use Organic Coconut Sugar with?
This type of sugar is available in the powder, paste as well as block forms and can be used in all food items as and however you prefer. Although, like other natural sweeteners, it must be used in controlled amounts.
7. Maple Syrup
Why use Maple Syrup?
•
Like
coconut
sugar,
it
is
made
from
the
sap
of
maple
trees.
•
It
has
moderate
amounts
of
nutrients
like
potassium,
iron,
calcium,
zinc
and
manganese
and
is
also
rich
in
antioxidants.
•
It
has
anti-inflammatory
properties.
•
It
has
a
lower
glycemic
index
than
sugar,
but
it
is
also
very
close
to
that
of
sugar.
That's
why
it
should
be
consumed
in
controlled
amounts.
Although
it
does
not
raise
blood
sugar
levels
as
fast
as
actual
sugar
does.
•
It
has
an
earthy
flavour.
What can you use Maple Syrup with?
Maple Syrup is the good old maple syrup that has been paired with foods like waffles, pies, etc. Even though it can be used with beverages with coffee, small amounts of the syrup are enough to make your coffee as sweet as you want, as is the case with honey.
8. Unsulfured Blackstrap Molasses
Why choose Unsulfured Blackstrap Molasses?
•
It
is
a
by-product
of
the
regular
cane
sugar
and
contains
comparatively
less
sugar
content.
•
It
is
also
rich
in
vitamins
and
minerals
that
are
usually
found
in
sugar
cane.
•
It
is
high
in
nutrients
such
as
iron,
calcium,
magnesium,
potassium
and
zinc.
What can you use Blackstrap Molasses with?
It is a great alternative to regular sugar and can be used with all kinds of foods, confectionery, and beverages like tea and coffee.
Even though natural sweeteners are a great way to get the desired sweetness minus the unhealthy effects in your food, you still have to use them in controlled amounts lest it should give away the same effect sugar would have on your body. It is always advisable to consult your doctor before you switch to one of these alternatives. Happy munching!
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