To be clear, the alternatives to white processed sugar, are all sugars in a different form.
When you using them, you need to understand what they are, how they affect your blood sugar and if they have any health benefits. Remember that refined white sugar has no food value at all and some doctors refer to it as being, “poison for the human body.”
In contrast, many of the healthy alternatives, do have vitamins and minerals, while being considered real food.
As you hit the coffee shop in the morning for your donuts and coffee, you need to be aware of the damage it does to your body and brain.
Each sugar alternative should be used in moderation, in your cooking or the drinks that you make.
Honey-This has been used for thousands of years to sweeten foods. It has a large number of health benefits but that doesn’t mean that you should use it every day. It is an antioxidant, with many minerals such as manganese, magnesium, copper and iron. Your body really needs these minerals, however you should look to vegetables as your main source, while using the honey occasionally. Honey can be used in a nice cup of tea. Try drinking your tea daily without adding honey and on a craving day, then add a sparse amount of honey for flavour.
Monk Fruit- This is much sweeter than the table sugar you have. It is an extract that has been processed into a liquid. As it has been processed, make sure to check the labels for any added sugars or fructose. When you use honey, you need to consider the fact that is does have calories, while the monk fruit extract does not. This is important if watching your weight is also part of your sugar detox.
Stevia-This comes from a plant and unlike monk fruit, it does contain a few calories. It is also sweeter than regular sugar, which means you will need extremely small portions added to your food or drinks. Stevia is available in either a powder, or as liquid. Some manufactures have a 50 ml squeeze bottle that you can use easily. This sweeter is used by people who have diabetes or are using a Keto based diet.
Xylitol– It may sound like a pharmaceutical drug but it is actually plant based. The two main sources that are used to extract xylitol are corn and birch wood. While corn syrup is heavy in fructose, xylitol does not contain it and this makes it a good choice as a substitute.
Studies are still being done on xylitol but currently it is being touted as good for your teeth and bones. It can be purchased by the bag, as a granulated power.
If candy is a big issue for you, try switching to an occasional xylitol candy to relieve your candy craving.
Erythritol-This may be a great alternative, if you are not only addicted to the results from ingested sugar but you crave that particular flavor. Your taste buds will notice that erythritol has a very similar taste as the table sugar you currently use.
Another big benefit is the fact that our bodies do not produce the right type of enzymes required to break erythritol down and use it. In fact, most of it passes through your body and exits via the urinary tract.
Erythritol has no effect on the blood sugars or the insulin in the body, which means it is an alternative you definitely want to check out. It can purchased as a granulated powder in a variety of weights including the 1 lb bag.
The above mentioned substitutes should be examined carefully and consider your goals first, before deciding on which one is best for you.
You may even consult your doctor if you have diabetes, before using an alternative, to be sure that you pick the proper one.
