Did you know that going just 30 days without sugar can help reset your hormones, level
up blood sugar, clear up your skin, and curb overall sweet addiction?
Hi viewers and welcome back to Bestie!
Thanks to all the research around how bad sugar actually is for our health, a lot of
people are trying to either eat less of it or replace it with alternatives that are healthier.
But sugar substitutes can be tricky to navigate.
Use of synthetic artificial sweeteners —such as aspartame and saccharin— has been debated
for years.
This is due to their potentially damaging effects, even though many of them are considered
safe” by the USDA.
Don’t worry, as there are some natural alternatives available that may even boost your health.
And in today’s video, we will tell you what they are.
From raw honey, monk fruit, maple syrup, agave nectar to yacon syrup and more, watch till
the end to learn about all of them.
Coconut Sugar: Coconut Sugar is made from sap of the cut flower buds of coconut palm
trees.
It is low on the glycemic index, meaning it won’t spike your blood sugar levels.
It’s also low in fructose and has a neutral flavor that’s closer to cane sugar.
It contains inulin, a prebiotic fiber that is good for your digestive system and slows
glucose absorption.
It is full of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients, all of which are very beneficial for your
health.
It works really well for baking, where other sugar substitutes like liquid ones do not.
On the flipside, it has about the same number of calories as table sugar, and it can be
super expensive.
Use it in moderation as you would regular sugar, but know that you are getting an additional
nutritional boost.
Have you ever used coconut sugar?
What did you use it for?
Tell us quickly down below in the comments section!
Stevia: If you want to swap your daily sugar intake with something with a super sweet taste
but minimal impact on your blood sugar levels, reach for a zero-calorie stevia.
Make sure it is organic, Non-GMO and contains no artificial ingredients.
Stevia sweetener comes from the stevia plant, which is native to South America.
It has been used throughout the world since ancient times and is made from grinding up
the leaves of the plant.
It has the same sweet taste naturally as processed white sugar.
In fact, it is 100 to 300 times sweeter—without any of the calories.
Like sugar, it is incredibly versatile.
It mixes well with hot or cold beverages and cereals, or into your favorite recipe.
Monk Fruit: Monk Fruit is a type of small melon found in the tropical and subtropical
regions of SouthEast Asia.
It’s a zero-calorie, zero-carb sugar alternative that has been used for centuries to treat
diabetes and obesity.
It’s made from Powder of monk fruit is 100 to 250 times sweeter than regular sugar.
It’s commonly blended with inulin or sugar alcohol to reduce the intensity of the sweetness.
It contains antioxidants and is said to support the immune system, digestive tract, glands,
and respiratory system.
It’s often sold as a blend, paired with corn sugar or sugar alcohols.
So, try to find pure sources without other things added.
It works well for a wide variety of diets including low-carb, low-sugar, vegan, keto,
and paleo.
Palmyra Blossom Nectar: Known as the Sugar of Life, this sugar replacement is the pure,
unrefined nectar of the Palmyra tree.
It is one of the best replacements for sugar.
It contains high levels of B-complex vitamins, iron, potassium and magnesium.
It not only adds benefits to your dietary intake, but also replaces the false sensation
of energy given by sugar.
. It is also made into Palmyra Jaggery, which
is a traditional Ayurvedic ingredient that is nutrient dense.
It’s organic, ethically sourced and a sustainable business for the communities who farm it.
Tagatose: Tagatose is a form of fructose that is around 90 percent sweeter than sucrose.
Although it is rare, some fruits, such as apples, oranges, and pineapples, contain it
naturally.
Manufacturers use tagatose in foods as a low-calorie sweetener, texturizer, and stabilizer.
Some studies indicate that it has a low glycemic index and may support the treatment of obesity.
Tagatose may be particularly beneficial for people with diabetes who are following a low-Glycemic
Index diet.
However, this sugar substitute is more expensive than other low-calorie sweeteners and may
be harder to find in stores, but you can usually find it online.
Yacon syrup: Yacon syrup is extracted from the yacón plant, which is native to South
America.
It tastes sweet, is dark in color, and has a thick consistency similar to that of molasses.
It contains 40–50% of a special type of sugar molecule that the human body cannot
digest.
Because these sugar molecules are not digested, it contains one-third the calories of regular
sugar, or about 1.3 calories per gram.
Research shows that it can reduce glycemic index, body weight, and the risk of colon
cancer.
What’s more, one study found that yacon syrup can increase feelings of satiety, which
may help you feel full faster, as well as eat less.
They also feed the friendly bacteria in your gut, which are incredibly important for your
overall health.
Yacon syrup is generally considered safe, but eating large amounts of it may lead to
excessive gas, diarrhea, or general digestive discomfort.
Raw Honey: Honey has been used for nutritional healing and medicinal purposes since ancient
times.
Due to the high level of fructose, it is sweeter than refined sugar which clearly means a lesser
amount of it is needed for the same dish.
It can be stirred with tea or spread over toast.
It can be a great substitute to white cane sugar for your full flavoured bakes, hot drinks
and sauces.
However, when we talk about honey, we are talking about raw honey.
A lot of nutrients are lost during the standard processing of honey.
Raw honey consists of flavonoids which means it is packed with antioxidants.
It also has several antiviral & anti-bacterial properties.
However, moderation is the key here as it is high in calories.
It may not be a suitable alternative for diabetes patients as it does increase blood sugar levels.
There are many more reasons to replace sugar with honey.
To know what they are, watch this video titled “Eating Honey Every Day Will Do This To
Your Body”
Now, back to Natural Alternatives To Sugar That Are Sweeter And Healthier
Date sugar: Date sugar is derived from the dehydrated dates which are then grounded to
convert them into granules.
It is rich in antioxidants and has an added fibre advantage.
Owing to its amazing binding and blending properties, date sugar works best with smoothies
as well as cookies.
For your bakes and cakes, it can be an extremely appetising choice.
However, you need to keep in mind that it also has a high fructose level.
So, people looking to cut down on sugar levels should use it moderately.
Maple Syrup: Native to North America, maple syrup comes in both grades A and B. While
time-consuming, its processing requires only four steps: drilling the hole in the tree,
hanging a bucket to catch the sap, boiling to evaporate out the water and then filtering
off any sediment.
It is one of the best natural sugar substitutes because it’s an outstanding source of manganese,
calcium, potassium and zinc.
Rich with antioxidants, this all-natural sweetener helps neutralize free radicals and reduce
oxidative damage.
Select darker, grade B maple syrups, as they contain more beneficial antioxidants than
the lighter syrups.
It is heat-stable, so you can use it in virtually any application.
Add it to marinades, glazes or sauces, and use for baking.
You can also use it to sweeten homemade granola and your morning coffee or tea.
Blackstrap Molasses: Organic blackstrap molasses is highly nutritious, rich in copper, calcium,
iron, potassium, manganese, selenium and vitamin B6.
Sugarcane and beet molasses have been shown to have the highest antioxidant activity as
compared to refined sugar, beet sugar, corn syrup and dates.
There are several types of molasses, depending on which level of processing it has gone through.
All molasses is obtained from raw cane sugar, made by boiling it until it’s a rich, sweet
syrup.
Blackstrap molasses comes from the third boiling, concentrating its nutrients and providing
for its deep rich flavor.
It may not be appealing for some, but it’s a perfect sweetener for marinades and to use
in baking.
Xylitol: Xylitol is a sugar alcohol with a sweetness similar to that of sugar.
It’s extracted from corn or birch wood and found in many fruits and vegetables.
It contains about 2 calories per gram, which is 40% fewer calories than sugar.
What makes it a promising alternative to sugar is its lack of fructose, which is the main
ingredient responsible for most of sugar’s harmful effects.
Unlike sugar, xylitol does not raise your blood sugar or insulin levels.
In fact, it’s associated with multiple health benefits, including improved dental health
and bone health.
When eaten in moderation, xylitol is generally well tolerated by humans, but it can be highly
toxic to dogs.
Agave nectar: Agave nectar provides more nutrients than regular sugar but fewer than honey.
It’s very flavorful, so you may not need to use as much.
However, it’s high in calories and contains a lot of fructose — even more than high-fructose
corn syrup — which can lead to weight gain and obesity in excessive amounts.
Agave nectar may not be a good choice for people with diabetes.
Being sweeter than sugar, it has a long shelf life, and can be used in place of other sweeteners
in nearly any cooking situation.
Its taste is similar to honey, and it lacks the after bitter taste of some sugar substitutes.
But because it is a liquid, you might have to make some other changes to your recipes,
especially when baking.
We hope after watching this video, you are able to control your blood sugar levels.
If you still think it’s out of whack, identify the signs by:
Finding out The Signs You're Eating Way Too Much Sugar
Or
Understanding Signs Your Blood Sugar Is Too High
These 2 videos will definitely help you identify signs of high blood sugar early.
So go ahead and pick a video, or watch them both for maximum benefits
What’s your favourite sugar substitute?
Let us know in the comments section below!