Natural Sweeteners

Who among us doesn’t love sweets? The sweet flavor releases serotonin in our brains, the chemical responsible for our sense of well-being and contentment. But when it comes to sweeteners, not all are created equal. There are side effects and health risks from refined sweeteners like white table sugar and high fructose corn syrup, and from artificial sweeteners like NutraSweet, saccharin and Splenda. Because they have been stripped of vitamins, minerals and fiber, refined sweeteners can spike blood sugar. This can often lead to cravings and mood and energy fluctuations. Instead, if we use naturally and minimally processed sweeteners, we can reduce cravings for sugary things, level blood sugar ups and downs, stabilize moods and have a dramatically positive effect on long-term health.

Here are a few natural sweeteners to substitute in food, drinks and baking. Since they are all approximately 1.5 times sweeter than refined sugar, you can use less. These sweeteners can be found in most supermarkets or natural food stores. When replacing sugar with liquid sweeteners in a recipe, reduce the amounts of other liquids.

Raw Honey:Honey is one of the oldest natural sweeteners on the market. Depending on the plant source, honey provides a variety of flavors for you to choose from. Whenever possible, choose raw honey as a sweetener. Raw honey is unrefined and contains small amounts of enzymes, minerals, and vitamins.

Agave Nectar: Agave is made through the extraction and purification of the juice of the agave cactus. It does not stimulate insulin secretion as other sugars do, so it does not create a "sugar rush" and spares you from the “sugar crash.” It has a delightfully light and mild flavor.

Maple Syrup: Maple syrup is the concentrated extract of the sap of maple trees. It adds a rich, deep flavor to foods and drinks. Make sure to look for 100% pure maple syrup, not maple-flavored corn syrup. As with all sweeteners, organic varieties of maple syrup are best.