A healthy approach to sweetening: alternatives to sugar

In coffee, lunch, dessert… To a greater or lesser extent, sugar is found in our everyday diet, and, although it’s the most well-known and widely consumed natural sweetener in the world, in recent years it has been shown that excessive consumption of refined sugar can be harmful to our health and can have a negative impact on our bodies in the long term. The main problem does not lie with sugar itself, rather it lies with the quantity of it which people consume on a daily basis. Many people are now opting to go without sugar and consume less sweet produce. However, if you are not willing to give up your sweet tooth but still feel like moderating your sugar consumption, here are 5 natural sweeteners that will help you to continue to enjoy your food… without giving up anything!

Discover 5 natural alternatives to refined sugar

Although brown sugar, stevia and fructose have positioned themselves as the main options to replace sugar itself, there are other natural sweeteners that do the same job and are just as tasty. Take note! 

1. Coconut sugar: obtained from the nectar of coconut trees, with a taste very similar to caramel. Coconut sugar is a source of free sugar, a type of sugar which we should aim to reduce in our diet. Nevertheless, it has a lower percentage of simple carbohydrates than sugar itself, making it a great alternative. 
2. Honey: a food product produced by bees from the nectar they release from flowers. A highly nutritious sweetener! Discover it here. 
3. Agave syrup: a plant sweetener which is very similar to honey and is extracted from agave leaves. Suitable for vegan diets!
4. Ripe and dried fruit: fruit is the ultimate natural sweetener and is also… loaded with vitamins and minerals. It couldn’t be healthier! In recent years, bananas and dates have become the main players in the healthiest and most popular baking recipes.
5. Cinnamon: you either love it or you hate it. Its intense flavour and characteristic aroma make cinnamon, together with vanilla, the queen of confectionery. Discover all the properties of cinnamon here. 

Little tricks to replace sugar throughout the day

• Breakfast: instead of adding sugar to your milk, try substituting your traditional milk for a slightly sweeter one, such as coconut milk, oat milk or rice milk. Milk and plant-based milk (drinks) have a similar sugar content, yet you will avoid adding sugar to them, thus reducing your daily intake and making them a healthier option.
• Lunch: opt to replace that teaspoon of white sugar in your coffee with a teaspoon of cinnamon or vanilla.
• Dinner: when it comes to having something sweet after a meal, the best option is always fruit, but if you’re tempted to indulge in some baked goods, try making your goods with natural sweeteners such as dark chocolate, ripe bananas, apples, figs or dates. The possibilities are endless!