Natural Sweeteners - Three Healthy Substitutes for Sugar |
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Today, natural sweeteners are dominating the market.
There are more and more discussions on how white refined sugar is harmful and how it is important to find a healthy, alternative sugar replacement.
Sugar – an ingredient that is considered as the new age plague – is used more and more every day even though it has always been present in every kitchen.
Scientists warn that sugar can be harmful to our body.
Besides the fact that sugar contains large number of empty calories, it is also responsible for excess weight, diabetes, cancer and many other serious diseases.
If you want to do something for your health, you certainly have to remove sugar from your nutrition and replace it with adequate alternatives.
Natural sweeteners are a proper and healthy substitute.
They will sweeten your meal and also provide you with important nutrients. Your body will be grateful for that.
1. Honey as a Perfect Sweetener
Honey is a natural and widespread sweetener used mostly in winter days for tea.
It is a product of hard-working bees that contains glucose and fructose.
There are various types of honey and accordingly they contain different amounts of vitamins and minerals.
Glycemic index of honey also varies which is important for diabetics.
If you are suffering from diabetes and you want to sweeten your tea, coffee or meal choose acacia honey because it has low glycemic index.
Honey is nutritionally a very valuable food rich in vitamins, minerals, enzymes, proteins and other healing ingredients.
You can sweeten your meal or tea with this highly valuable ingredient but be careful with amount you use.
Even though honey is healing, healthy and natural it contains high amounts of calories. 100 g of honey contains 300 calories.
If you have overweight problems or diabetes limit its use to 1-2 teaspoons a day.
Honey can be used for cold and hot drinks or meals, but it is important that the temperature is not too high.
Temperatures above 45 degrees can destroy healthy honey ingredients.
Today many chefs choose honey even when preparing salty dishes.
When preparing cakes it is better to use honey instead of sugar. Cakes will be healthier and equally tasty.
2. Green Stevia - Plant with No Calories
Stevia originated from South America and in the last few years it became popular in our region too.
Besides being used as a natural sweetener that replaces sugar, stevia is a highly therapeutic plant.
It is important to note that stevia contains no calories and no glycemic index.
That is why it is recommended for diabetics.
Stevia’s leaves contain steviosides and that is why this plant is exceptionally sweet.
Stevia also contains other nutrients that are important for health such as magnesium, iron, calcium, chromium, potassium, beta carotene, tannins and others.
It is important to know that only a green stevia should be considered as a medical plant and a natural sweetener.
Produced from a powder made of dried stevia leaves, such stevia is 40 times sweeter than sugar, while stevia made in a form of white powder or liquid is even 300 times sweeter than sugar.
Green stevia treats many diseases. It is used for lowering cholesterol, for regulating blood sugar and blood pressure, and for treating certain types of cancer.
3. Goji Berries - Superfood from the Himalayas
Today goji berries are highly wanted products in healthy food stores.
This superfood is rich with nutritive ingredients and that is why it is highly recommended.
Since goji berries contain large amounts of iron they are especially good for people suffering from anemia. They are highly recommended in nutrition of vegans and vegetarians.
Goji berries are composed of polysaccharides that have healing properties. They strengthen the body, especially pancreas and liver, and improve eyesight.
Polysaccharides contained in goji berries will sweeten your meals and therefore you should add them to cereals, cakes or fruit salads.
White refined sugar is the silent killer of modern age and it is often compared to drugs. By consuming it your body requires more and more sugar.
Scientists concluded that sugar can cause the same addiction crisis as in heroin addicts.
As a high-calorie food, sugar contains no healthy ingredients or nutrients, only empty calories.
If you want to take care of your health you should remove sugar from your diet and replace it with one of natural sweeteners.
Not only will they sweeten your life, but they will positively affect your health.
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