Once you start reading labels, you’ll notice almost everything contains sugar. There are healthier alternatives to white sugar when you want something sweet. You can choose the simplest, yet healthiest option, like eating fruit. Berries, apples, bananas, or a smoothie containing fruit can be a sweet treat that’s a healthy alternative to baked goods, candy bars, or cereal covered with sugar.
Sugar is in everything today.
We’ve drastically increased our sugar consumption. About 200 years ago, the average person consumed about two pounds of sugar a year. By 1915, the amount rose to 17.5 pounds. Today, the amount consumed by each person is approximately 152 pounds. That’s just white sugar and doesn’t include alternatives like high fructose corn syrup.
Some people want a healthier option and opt for honey, agave, or maple syrup.
Both maple syrup and honey are alternatives to white sugar, even though they are nothing more than sugar. They do have some advantages sugar doesn’t have. They have some nutritional benefits. Honey, agave, and maple syrup have more calories and carbs than white sugar. Agave and maple syrup have a lower glycemic index and help control blood sugar better. Maple syrup is a source of manganese, while honey has trace amounts of vitamin C and B vitamins. Agave has trace amounts of B vitamins and Vitamin K.
Monk fruit and date paste are natural sweeteners.
Monk fruit is 100 to 150 times sweeter than sugar. While it contains fructose and glucose, it gets most of its mogrosides V, an antioxidant that gives it its sweetness. It boosts the immune system, aids the digestive tract, and improves the respiratory system. Most people use date paste to sweeten baked goods. Date paste contains copper, magnesium, manganese, potassium, and vitamin B6. It improves gut and heart health, keeps blood sugar level, and reduces the risk of colorectal cancer, stroke, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. It’s high in antioxidants. It improves brain and skin health.
- Tagatose is a new sugar substitute that is made from lactose. It has a low glycemic index and may benefit type 2 diabetics. It’s prebiotic and increases short-chain fatty acids that reduce gut inflammation.
- Stevia is a sugar alternative that may also help lower blood pressure and prevent metabolic syndrome. Make sure it’s not mixed with anything else, like erythritol or it could increase the risk of stroke and heart attack.
- Manufacturers turn chicory root into a sugar substitute that doesn’t contain empty calories. It has vitamins and minerals and virtually no calories. Make sure it isn’t mixed with other sweeteners.
- A sugar substitute can be made from the Yacon plant. It may help in weight loss and prevent constipation. Tea from the leaves of the plant has antidiabetic properties.
For more information, contact us today at Iron Fit San Antonio