Healthy Alternatives To Processed Cane Sugar
If you're looking to remove processed cane sugar from your diet, but still have a sweet tooth, then you can buy sugar alternatives. The list bellow will give you four alternatives if you want to eliminate refined white granulated sugar from your diet. You can use these sweeteners in your coffee or tea, as well as when you are baking. Some of the alternatives even have some powerful health benefits associated with them.
Stevia
Stevia is made from the leaves of a plant called Stevia rebaudiana. The leaves are crushed and a powder is made that is extremely sweet. The best part about stevia is that it contains zero calories. There have even been studies that have found that stevia has been found to have a positive effect on blood pressure, as referenced in the previous link.
Maple Syrup
Maple syrup is extracted from maple trees. It has a lower glycemic score than regular sugar, so it won't spike your blood sugar in the same way. Also, maple syrup is filled with nutrients, including antioxidants. There are more antioxidants in the darker grades of maple syrup, so if you are looking to boost the healing properties of your sweeter, choose a dark color, such as a dark amber grade B. You can use maple syrup in your oatmeal, coffee, and baked goods.
Raw Honey
If you're looking for a superfood that will satisfy your sweet tooth, then look no further than raw honey. Raw honey contains the probiotic Lactobacillus kunkeei. This particular probiotic is a great addition to your diet because it will boost your body's immune system.
When choosing honey, you will have different flavor choices. Some options include buckwheat, clover, alfalfa, and wildflower. What these names are describing are the different flowers that the honeybees feed off of while they were making honey. The different flowers and plants all lend the honey a different taste. For instance, buckwheat is a dark, almost molasses looking honey with a metallic taste. Wildflower, on the other hand is very sweet with a bit of floral fragrance.
Agave Necter
This sweetener is made from the same plant that is used to make tequila. It is low on the glycemic index, which makes it great for people who don't want huge spikes in blood sugar. It's lower on the index than honey, sugar, lactose, and fructose. Additionally, agave has anti-inflammatory properties as well as anti-microbial benefits. This last benefit was probably the reason that ancient Native cultures, including the Aztecs, used it to disinfect cuts and wounds.