Do you love eating chocolates, brownies, pudding, waffles or sweets? In short, do you love eating anything that contains sugar? If yes, you might be keeping your health at stake while satisfying your taste buds. Sugar adds sweetness to your food and makes resisting food difficult. Sweet dishes taste great and it’s hard to resist them. But what’s equally hard to resist for your body is the complications that come with eating too much sweet. We all need a certain amount of sugar but most of the individuals consume more sugar than what can be called healthy. That is why people face a lot of problems as they age.
There are several reasons that make sugar consumption harmful. Sugar consumption causes unhealthy weight gain. Food items containing added sugar are one of the primary reasons behind the rising cases of obesity worldwide. Fructose, a type of simple sugar, that is mainly found in juices and soda, is responsible for increasing hunger.
High sugar consumption is also associated with rising cases of heart-related diseases. High-sugar diets cause problems like obesity, inflammation and high blood sugar.
Another big problem that may head your way due to high sugar consumption in Diabetes type 2. A major cause behind developing Diabetes is obesity and obesity is directly linked to high sugar consumption.
Now, where’s the solution? Saying Goodbye to sugar forever is too much to ask for. The problems stated earlier are not the only ones caused due to high sugar consumption. There’s a long list of problems. But one needs sugar in their diet as well. The solution is to find correct alternatives to sugar.
Agave Nectar
Agave Nectar is a natural sweetener that has rich amounts of sweetener. A lit amount of Agave Nectar can make your food sweet as it is very flavourful. The only downside is it contains a lot of calories. It has high amounts of fructose. It is a good alternative for those looking to gain weight. However, Agave Nectar is not a good option for people struggling with obesity. The taste of Agave Nectar is similar to that of honey. Since it comes in liquid form, you can use Agave Nectar in any form.
Coconut Sugar
Coconut Sugar is one of the healthiest alternatives of Sugar. Coconut sugar contains high amounts of vitamins and minerals as it is unrefined. It does cause problems like high blood sugar levels. Coconut Sugar, however, contains high amounts of carbohydrates and fructose. It is a perfect replacement for traditional sugar except for people looking to shed some fat. You may be required to crush the coconut sugar before using it.
Honey
Honey is a natural sweetener that is widely used globally. It is also one of the healthiest alternatives to sugar. Honey contains a lot of nutrients such as antioxidants, minerals and vitamins. Digesting honey is far easier than digesting sugar and it prevents you from problems like obesity and blood sugar level fluctuations. Honey is far sweeter than sugar and you can use just a little amount of honey to make your dishes sweet and enhance their taste.
Also Read, Get Maximum Nutrients From Your Food Using These 6 Ways
Maple Syrup
Maple Syrup is a nutrient-rich natural sweetener that can also be used as an alternative to traditional sugar. Maple Syrup contains high amounts of antioxidants and other minerals such as calcium, potassium, zinc, iron and manganese. Just like other sweeteners, maple syrup also contains a high amount of calories and it is advisable to consume it in moderation.
Sucralose
Sucralose is an artificial sweetener that is far sweeter than traditional sugar. It is mainly used in the Western world. Unlike other sweeteners, sucralose has limited calories and it is perfect for people struggling with obesity or diabetes. It is also suitable for pregnant women and people struggling with fluctuations in the blood sugar level. Only a little amount of sucralose is required to make your food or drink sweet.
Monk Fruit Extracts
Monk fruit extract is a high-intensity sweetener that is one of the healthiest alternatives of traditional sugar. It is perfect for someone who is looking to restrict caloric intake. It is a zero-calorie sweetener with absolutely no side effects. Monk Fruit extract has been certified by several food regulators worldwide. Since it is a high-intensity sweetener, it should be used in a limited quantity.
Dates Paste
The benefits of the date are not hidden from anyone. Dates paste is one of the healthiest alternatives of traditional sugar. It contains rich amounts of fiber, minerals and vitamins. Using dates paste not just enhances the taste of your food but also adds to the nutritional value. The benefit of using dates paste as a sweetener is that you can make the paste at home itself. You can use dates paste in juices, smoothies, pastries and other baked food items.
Stevia Extracts
Stevia extract is the best alternative for traditional sugar as it has limited or no calories. The sweetener is extracted from plants and it is far sweeter than traditional sugar. It is the best sugar alternative for those struggling with obesity or diabetes as it doesn’t contain high calories. Also, it does not contain any chemicals. The small downside of using stevia extract is that it has an aftertaste that can be noticed sometimes.
