With the newfound understanding that fat does not make us fat, we are now piling our plates with heart-healthy meats, fish and oils that can help to keep us satiated and slim. But, if the avocados aren’t the culprit, what is? In this article, let us learn about some of the healthier Alternatives to White Sugar that would restore your natural vitality.
Sugar
As with all things processed and modified, refined sugar is the nemesis of your waistline. Also, aside from an obesity pandemic, refined sugar is attributed to all manner of health conditions from diabetes to candida and even cancer.
However, ditching the refined sugar need not mean all the fun and treats must disappear from your diet. There is a plethora of sweet alternatives readily available to help you stay trim while still allowing for the odd indulgence.
It is worth noting that all sugars, refined or otherwise are still sugars. Moreover, overconsumption of these is never advisable. However, by making a few sensible swaps and enjoying these Alternatives to White Sugar replacements in moderation, they can form part of a balanced diet.
Healthier Alternatives To White Sugar
The following natural alternatives make for great refined sugar substitutes and can be utilized in all manner of dishes from sweet to savory.
1. Coconut Sugar
Coconut sugar is a popular paleo baking choice. It is a great option when looking for a replacement for granulated sugar. Containing small amounts of crucial vitamins and minerals, coconut sugar is indeed a must in your healthy baking pantry.
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Good For
Cakes, biscuits, muffins, cookies, sauces, pastry and crumbles.
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Tips
If you are looking to create cookies with a bit of bite, coconut sugar creates the perfect crunchy consistency.
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Ratios
Coconut sugar can be used in recipes in place of regular granulated sugar; use three-fourths the amount of coconut sugar to the recommended amount of granulated sugar.
2. Maple Syrup
An unrefined natural sugar alternative, it may surprise you to know maple syrup provides some nutritional benefits. From vitamins and minerals to fighting inflammation, maple syrup is one of the healthier natural alternatives to sugar. It is important to opt for pure grade “A” or grade “B” maple syrup that is free from additional additives.
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Good For
Cookies, biscuits, pastry, sauces, marinades, pancakes, cakes, muffins and granola.
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Tips
Try adding a little maple syrup to a spiced tomato sauce to create your own sugar-free ketchup.
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Ratios
Maple syrup works very well in most baked goods by using three-fourths the amount of maple syrup to the required amount of sugar; you can replace maple syrup in a one-to-one ratio in some recipes, but you will need to adjust your other liquids accordingly to ensure the right consistency
3. Molasses
Undoubtedly the most nutritious and guilt-free sugar on this list, blackstrap molasses possesses a phenomenal array of health benefits. This nutrient-dense syrup is indeed rich in cancer-fighting antioxidants, can help to stabilize blood sugars and soothes joint pain and inflammation.
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Good For
Puddings, sauces, marinades, cookies and spreading.
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Tips
Add to savory dishes to add sweetness to meat marinades.
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Ratios
Use 2 tablespoons of molasses to replace 1/2 cup of sugar in a recipe; this works best in cookies and small bakes.
4. Dried Fruit And Jam
This has all the flavor and sweetness of natural fruit but intensified. Dried fruit and sugar-free jams not only provide additional sweetness to a recipe but can also contribute a valuable dose of nutrition. High in fiber, vitamins and minerals, fruits can be used to add sweetness and texture to both sweet and savory dishes.
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Good For
Muffins, cakes, sauces, no-bake bars, cookies, caramels, snacking, energy balls, soups and stews.
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Tips
Fruits and fruit jams are excellent at binding ingredients, particularly in no-bake treats; dried figs and dates can be blended simply with oats and nut butters to create a satisfyingly sweet and simple energy boost; soaking and blending your dried fruits first will give you a thick, sugary paste, which you can stir into cookie dough to create deliciously chewy cookies
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Ratios
Add a tablespoon of jam to sauces and gravies for extra flavor and to help thicken; swap dried fruit for up to half the required amount of sugar in cookies and no-bake treats.
5. Stevia
A plant-based sweetener, stevia is one of the Alternatives to White Sugar and has gained popularity in recent years becoming a mainstream refined sugar substitute. Take care when selecting your stevia as many brands offer a highly processed version, which can include additional unhealthy additives.
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Good For
Cookies, biscuits, tea, coffee, marinades and sauces.
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Tips
Stevia is intensely sweet, so use sparingly and taste as you go; it works best in small bakes and sauces, which may only require up to one teaspoon of stevia per recipe.
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Ratios
Around 2 1/2 tablespoons of stevia will give a recipe the equivalent sweetness of 1 cup of regular sugar.
6. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a naturally sweet ingredient as well as being a powerhouse of nutrition. Packed with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, this warming spice is also purported to ward off infections and protect against allergies.
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Good For
All baking and adding to hot drinks, granola, spiced savory dishes, soups and stews.
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Tips
While you wouldn’t want to replace the entire amount of sugar with cinnamon in a recipe, cinnamon is a terrific addition to recipes that you wish to keep low in sugar as it adds a subtle sweetness that won’t spike your blood sugars.
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Ratios
Add 1 to 2 teaspoons in your healthy recipes to add additional warmth and sweetness.
7. Carob
Carob is the chocolate alternative that dreams are made of. Incredibly sweet, fruity and a little bitter, carob is intensely rich and makes an ideal sugar-free chocolate substitute. With such an intense flavor profile, you may also find you need not add any additional sweeteners to your recipe.
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Good For
Drinking chocolate, ice cream, brownies, cakes, cookies, fudge, frosting and sauce.
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Tips
Heating carob is an art and has a tendency to separate and clump together unlike melted chocolate; however, blending it at room temperature with a little coconut oil and nut milk will give you a silky smooth “chocolate” sauce without the trouble of using a double boiler.
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Ratios
Use as you would cocoa powder in baking or drinking chocolate; you may wish to use slightly less as the flavor is intensely rich.
Conclusion
In conclusion, to crush those chocolate cravings why not whip up a batch of sugar-free cupcakes with a chocolatey carob frosting. So simple to make, all you need is 1/2 cup of carob powder, 3/4 cup of coconut oil, a tablespoon of maple syrup and a good pinch of sea salt. Blitz on high speed in a food processor to create a fabulous pipeable frosting.
Better still, add 2 tablespoons of dairy-free milk of your choice to the frosting, and blend again to create an indulgent sugar-free chocolate sauce. Perfect for pouring over ice cream.
If you want to know what foods will help you restore your natural vitality and get slim and stay slim, then check out the Best Foods That Rapidly Slim & Heal in 7 Days program, here!
