6 Food Items That Can Work As Substitutes For Refined Sugar

Adding sugar to food items is considered one of the worst practices as per the modern diet. White or brown sugar is refined and is often linked with serious medical issues like obesity, heart conditions, diabetes, and even cancer. However, India being home to the sweet tooth, people here end up consuming sugar in a hefty quantity. While we’er not saying you should sacrifice your love for sweets, you can consider these natural substitutes for white and brown sugar for better health.

1. Stevia

Stevia is a natural sweetener extracted from the leaves of a South American shrub with a scientific name Stevia rebaudiana. The Stevia extract is said to have zero calories and amazing benefits for people suffering from high blood pressure. It also has the properties of curbing down blood sugar and insulin levels which makes it one of the best sugar substitutes for diabetic patients.

2. Yacon Syrup

Yacon syrup is another non-refined substitute for sugar. It is an extraction from South America’s yacón plant and has a sweet taste along with a dark and mildly-thick texture. It is also popular in the Southern American belt as a weight loss supplement. This sweet syrup contains one-third of the calories of regular white or brown sugar.

3. Coconut Sugar

Coconut sugar is made from the sap of coconut trees and is one of the healthier substitutes of white sugar due to its richness in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Coconut sugar looks and tastes like brown sugar but does not hold moisture. This makes it an unfit substitute for baking purposes as it can make the dish slightly dry.

4. Honey

This is something we all know. Honey works as an amazing natural alternative of refined sugars. Honey is a great source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants which increases blood level in the body and reduces the risk of catching diseases.

5. Maple Syrup

This thick, sugary liquid made from cooking the saps of maple trees works as a sweetener without the adversities of refined sugars. It contains a good amount of minerals like calcium, potassium, iron, zinc, and manganese along with 24 different types of antioxidants. Much like coconut sugar and honey, maple syrup is a slightly better option than regular sugar but should be consumed in moderation.

6. Muscovado Sugar

Muscovado sugar is minimally refined sugar and makes a great substitute for brown sugar because. This sugar has a high content of moisture which gives it a thicker, stickier and clumping texture. Muscovado sugar can work as an alternative for brown sugar in almost any recipe but it must be sifted properly to remove any clumps.