SUGAR, the bold KILLER hiding in PLAIN SIGHT!

So let’s get down to it!  Let’s talk about it!! Refined sugar (that white crystalized stuff sold in stored) is considered to be as addictive as a drug, and potentially as detrimental to your health. Click To Tweet

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And while there are a ton of sugar-free sweetener alternatives on the market — I’m talking about calorie-free, but full of nasty chemicals “artificial sweeteners” here — they are even more unhealthy than just plain ol’ sugar sis, WAKE UP TO IT! Many people turn to these artificial sweeteners thinking they will help them lose weight without sacrificing taste, but this is the one of the WORST food lies out there. If you have any of these around your home, please throw them away right now. (You know the Sweet and Lows & the Equals of the world) 

 

Did you do it?

 

We are serious, go do it right now . . .

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Ok now let’s look at six healthy all-natural sugar substitutes.

Raw honey has so many wonderful health benefits. It’s a natural antibacterial, boosts the immune system, promotes digestive health, and is high in antioxidants. It also stabilizes blood pressure and helps balance blood sugar levels. When I guy honey, I buy all natural organic honey that is local to my region. So only honey tat is manufactured in California. Why? Because, I’m told it helps with allergies. Weird, right?  Makes sense though when it comes to pollination, bees, flowers and honey!

 

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Stevia is probably one of the most well-known and popular natural sweeteners. The sweet leaves have been used by humans for hundreds of years and by diabetic patients in Asia for decades.

 

While it is not a significant source of nutrition, the great thing about stevia is that it will not affect blood sugar levels at all, making it a great all-natural sugar alternative for diabetics. It is also calorie-free.

 

I’m a personal fan of this liquid stevia, which is a whole-leaf extract and does not contain any other ingredients. Powdered stevia, on the other hand, contains unnecessary fillers. Best yet, the liquid extract is super-duper sweet — just a drop will do ya!

 

My fav brand is Trader Joe’s Stevia drops (click here). I use this in my detox teas! You know my fav all natural herbal detox tea right? (click here)

Date sugar is essentially just dried dates pulverized into a powder. It is very sweet, which should come as no surprise if you’ve ever eaten a date before (yummy).

Since it does not melt, date sugar cannot be used as a direct substitute for sugar. For example: you wouldn’t want to put it in your coffee. However, it is great for baking. Use just 2/3 the amount of date sugar in place of brown or white sugar called for in your recipe. It may otherwise be too sweet!

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Coconut sugar contains traces of iron, zinc, calcium, and potassium, we well as antioxidants. It also contains a fiber called inulin, which may slow glucose absorption. For this reason, coconut sugar has a minimal effect on blood sugar levels, making it another ideal option for diabetics.

 

Coconut sugar tastes like brown sugar more so than white sugar. I particularly like it for baking, since it does not affect the consistency of the final product, unlike maple syrup and molasses. However, I do not find it sweet enough for tea or coffee.

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Nope, not the kind with the bottle shaped like a jolly old woman. That’s not real maple syrup — check the ingredient list and you’ll see it’s mostly high fructose corn syrup with some artificial colorings, flavors, and sweeteners.

Pure maple syrup, on the other hand, contains only evaporated maple tree sap. It is high in manganese and zinc: 100 grams of syrup provides 22% and 3.7% of their RDVs respectively. Manganese is necessary for several enzymes that are needed for energy production and antioxidant defenses. Zinc is essential for optimal immune system function. Deficiencies of either may lower white blood cell counts and reduce immune system responses.

When I buy syrup, I buy grade B, dark amber, organic maple syrup to ensure all of the benefits listed above are available.

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Molasses is a thick syrup produced when the sugar cane plant is processed to make refined sugar. But unlike refined sugar, molasses carries some significant health benefits. One serving (2 tablespoons) of molasses has about 30% of the daily iron requirement for premenopausal women, as well as 14% of our RDV of copper, an important trace mineral whose peptides help rebuild the skin structure that supports healthy hair.It is also high in vitamin B6, magnesium, calcium, and antioxidants.

Be sure to select unsulfured, organic sugarcane molasses.

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I was recently made aware of Swerve, and while I have not used it myself (I can’t vouch for the taste just yet), I did order some to test it out. Based on the ingredient list and the way it’s manufactured Swerve looks hopeful. I’ll keep you posted. Have you tried it?  (click here) to test it with me!

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Enjoy indulging your sweet tooth with these healthy all-natural sugar substitutes and leave those fake, wanna-be, belly bloating, “sugars” alone! If you are participating in a Sugar detox with Fit, Fyne & Fabulous, please do not use any of these this week, but they will be PERFECT for your “non-sugar detox week” health journey.

 

-xoxo

Nicole “Coach Twy” Twyman