Alternative Sweeteners

Refined sugar is in everything these days. It's amazing how many products contain it without us realizing. It's in sauces, dressings, nuts, tea, coffee, smoothies, granola, cereals, and most other packaged foods. You'd think it would be easy to point out and eliminate these foods from our diet, but the problem is that we don't even know it's there because it's hidden with names such as sucrose, fructose, dextrose, glucose, maltodextrin, Sucralose, sorbitol, agave nectar, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, and many others that I can't even pronounce. These sugars and artificial sweeteners are highly processed and harmful for our health. They don't provide any health benefits and just keep us wanting more and more.

It's natural to have sugar cravings and although sugar can be addicting, completely depriving ourselves from it is not always the best option because it can lead to increased cravings. It's okay to satisfy your sweet tooth every once in a while if doing so with high-quality, unprocessed ingredients. Here is a list of natural sweeteners that actually support our health and can be used as alternatives for refined sugar:

• Dates/date sugar
• Dried figs
• Palm/coconut sugar (doesn't give a blood sugar spike like others do)
• Raw honey
• Grade B Maple Syrup
• Fresh fruit
• Organic Cane Sugar (Sucanat)
• Stevia

* Purchase organic products whenever possible

These alternative sweeteners are natural but should still be consumed in moderation as they still do raise blood sugar levels. Other natural ways to reduce sugar cravings include drinking more water, eating more fruits and vegetables, eating more fermented foods (sauerkraut, kombucha, kefir), getting more sleep, yoga, and meditation.

Stay healthy!