There is no getting around the fact that consuming too many sweeteners can be detrimental to your overall health. Not only do artificial sweeteners stimulate your appetite, but they can also lead to unnecessary weight gain. In turn, this will lead to an increased risk of a host of ailments, including obesity, heart issues, and type 2 diabetes.
Fortunately, there are a wide array of natural sweeteners that you can use to satisfy your cravings. Here are four of the best natural sweeteners that you can consider adding to your diet so that you do not need to rely on refined sugar.
Fruit
As nature’s candy, the fruit is a natural sweetener. You can use either fresh or frozen fruit to sweeten a variety of foods. Health-conscious bakers often use applesauce as a substitute for vegetable oil, delivering moisture and sweetness to a myriad of baked goods.
Try topping your plain and unsweetened yogurt with fresh or frozen fruit to give it a more palatable taste. You can also try mixing frozen berries into your sugar-free oatmeal to give it a sweet kick. Sliced bananas are a versatile fruit that you can use as a topping on a variety of foods to sweeten them up.
In addition to all of these benefits, the fruit is also full of antioxidants and other nutrients. Not only will you be eliminating refined sugar from your diet, but you will also be giving your diet a hefty nutritional boost by incorporating more fruit. Over time, you will come to appreciate the natural sweetness of fruit and you might even begin to have cravings for it.
Raw Honey
Discover what many others have already found to be true when you try using honey as a naturals sugar substitute. Honey boasts a high level of antioxidants along with copious amounts of vitamins E and C. Simply stir in your honey to many of your favorite foods to sweeten them up without having to resort to refined sugar.
Finding raw honeycomb for sale can ensure that you always have this amazing sweetener on hand in your home. Raw honeycomb comes to you straight from the beehive, ensuring maximum freshness and the best taste that you can find in a honey product.
Sugar Alcohols
You can always try the tried and true route of sugar alcohols if avoiding refined sugar is your goal. The most popular of these choices include sorbitol, xylitol, and mannitol. Also called polyols, these naturally occurring sweeteners contain little to no calories.
Because the body does not metabolize these types of sugar alcohols, they are primarily excreted through the urine. These products are good choices for individuals who suffer from blood sugar imbalances because of their minimal impact on insulin levels.
Syrups, Nectars, and Other Natural Sweeteners
Many chefs and bakers appreciate the ability to easily substitute syrups and nectars into their recipes. These natural products provide a dose of sweetening without all of the guilt. Be sure to choose high-quality syrups if optimal health is your goal. You do not want to negate your good intentions by inadvertently adding in too many additives.
In addition to maple syrup, agave nectar is a popular choice of natural sweeteners. While agave nectar has a lower glycemic index than most refined sugars, it still has roughly the same amount of calories and carbohydrates as refined sugars. However, most users find that they get a lot of flavor from just a small amount of nectar, making it a good investment in your diet.
If syrups and nectars do not appeal to you, you can try to boost the sweetness in your food by trying natural spices such as cinnamon, ginger, or vanilla bean. Once you begin thinking outside of the box, you will find that you likely have an abundance of natural sweeteners in your own pantry.
By incorporating these natural sweeteners into your diet, it will make it easier to break your addiction to sugar. While it is a gradual process, it will not be long before your cravings for refined sugar start to subside. Although this may not be easy in the beginning, your overall health will thank you in the long run.
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