Sugar is a carbohydrate that helps to preserve, sweeten, and enhance the taste of food. This quality of sugar makes it extremely difficult to resist and eschew. However, the benefits to one’s body and general health of lowering one’s sugar consumption have been made abundantly clear by numerous scientific studies. A diet that includes the consumption of large amounts of sugar has been linked to a massive range of possible health issues. These health issues and conditions may be a direct result of the effects of sugar on one’s body or an indirect result brought about by obesity, which itself can be brought about by a high-sugar diet.
Thankfully, numerous substitutes for sugar and sugarless sweeteners—both artificial and natural—have been made widely available to assist people with lowering the levels of sugar in their diets. Restricting the consumption of sugar is particularly important for mature adults.
With our Sensations Dining program where we know the importance of providing our residents with nutritious meals every day, we would like to share with you the numerous different sugar alternatives that you may use instead of sugar so that you will be able to take greater steps towards a healthier and happier lifestyle. Here are some great sugar substitutes:
Agave Nectar
Agave nectar is a natural sweeter than is capable of providing a greater quantity of nutrients as compared to normal sugar. However, agave nectar does not provide as many nutrients as honey. Agave nectar is full of vibrant flavor, so you might not even have to use that much.
But do take note that it is rather high in terms of caloric content and also contains quite a bit of fructose—shockingly, it has even more fructose than high-fructose corn syrup. This may result in undesired weight gain and even obesity when it is consumed in excessive quantities. Agave nectar is also not very highly suggested for individuals who are living with diabetes.
Coconut Sugar
Coconut sugar is—similar to agave nectar—a natural sweetener. This sweetening agent in particular is not refined, and therefore it contains all of its original minerals and vitamins. Another great thing about coconut sugar is that it does not result in sudden and drastic fluctuations in one’s levels of blood sugar.
However, do bear in mind that coconut sugar contains the same caloric content as normal table sugar, and it is also very high in fructose and other carbohydrates. This means that individuals who are trying to lose weight should restrict their own consumption of it. Similar to agave nectar, coconut sugar should not be taken by those who are living with diabetes.
Honey
Honey is another great natural sweetener. It is much more nutritious as compared to table sugar, and the nutrients that can be found in honey include vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Honey is also much easier for the digestive system to process as compared to normal table sugar. But do bear in mind that it is similar to regular table sugar in the sense that honey is rather high in caloric content and is broken down by the body to form fructose and glucose. Therefore, it comes with similar risks to one’s health.
