Top 4 Best Substitutes to Sugar

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Sugar definitely enhances the flavour of food, which is why it can be quite hard to resist. However, too much of it can lead to serious health conditions. Fortunately, there are various sugar alternatives that you can try to ensure that you still get the sweet flavour that you are after, without worrying about severe health implications. This article lists down some of the best sugar substitutes that you can try.

Date Syrup

Date syrup is a natural sweetener that is made from dates. Dates are rich in fibre, as well as several other nutrients that you won’t be able to find in sugar. The syrup that you can generate from dates is best used in smoothies, baked goods, and even sauces and marinades. Some even use date syrup as a salad dressing. Just keep in mind that it can be quite sweeter than sugar, which is why you may want to reduce the amount that you need to add for your recipes to still have that perfectly balanced taste.

Maple Syrup

Another sugar alternative that you can try is maple syrup. You may find that there is not much of a difference when you compare date syrup vs maple syrup because both have almost the same colour, texture, and level of sweetness. However, you need to think beyond pancakes when it comes to this sweetener because it is also effective when added to oatmeal or plain yoghurt, as well as savoury dishes such as vegetables and salmon.

Agave Nectar

Like with date syrup, agave nectar is also a bit sweeter than sugar, which is why you may need to reduce the amount that you need to use when you opt for this sugar alternative. It tastes a bit like honey, without the bitter after taste as most other sugar substitutes have. The best part about agave nectar though is that it has a longer shelf life. You just need to keep in mind that it is high in calories, which means that too much of this can also lead to weight gain.

Coconut Sugar

Finally, there is also the option for you to use coconut sugar as an alternative sweetener. Because it is unrefined, you get to enjoy all the vitamins and minerals that it has to offer. In this case, you can use the same amount for your recipes and dishes as you would with refined sugar. However, like with agave nectar, it is also high in calories, which is why you should still use it in moderation to ensure that it doesn’t lead to excessive weight gain.

The sugar alternatives listed above are only some of the ones that you can try to still achieve the sweetness that you are after in your food and dishes. Rest assured that these are all considered as a healthier alternative compared to sugar. But even so, you need to ensure that you use these sugar alternatives in moderation because even if they are considered healthier, anything excessive can still have a significant negative impact on your health.