Sugar is a commodity that is frequently used in the production of various foods and beverages. Approximately 175.5 million metric tons of sugar were consumed worldwide in 2021–2022, according to data from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) with India consuming the most sugar at 29 million metric ton followed by European Union, China, and the United States.
It's important to choose a healthy sugar alternative because sugar consumption needs to be kept to a minimum, especially for someone who is on a diabetic diet. Natural sweeteners have a variety of health benefits and they all share the fact that they are products of nature. Which natural sweeteners work well as sugar substitutes? Let's find out.
Raw Honey
One of the best natural sweeteners is raw honey which contains riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, iron, zinc, potassium, calcium, phosphorus as well as enzymes and antioxidants. All of these nutrients support the growth of good bacteria in the digestive system while assisting in the neutralization of free radicals. Choose raw or locally sourced honey that is directly from the beekeepers because once pasteurized, honey loses many of its health benefits. Despite the fact that honey can be used as a natural sweetener for tea, many people also enjoy combining it with coffee.
Rooftop Honey not only seeks to address issues of sustainability but also aims to raise awareness of the importance of bees whilst creating delicious honey. They have already helped ‘re-homed 70 swarms of honeybee colonies and installed their hives in unused roofs, balconies & gardens. The honey is unique to each site and has fewer actual food miles which help green the city of Melbourne. Switch out your sweeteners to Melbourne City's Rooftop Honey to sweeten your teas.
Stevia
Stevia originates from South America and has been used there as a sugar substitute for hundreds of years. They believe consuming stevia can maintain healthy blood sugar levels and lose weight fast. Stevioside is an element in the leaves that makes it >200 times sweeter than sugar. Stevia doesn’t contain calories nor carbohydrates and doesn’t have the bad side effects of artificial sweeteners. For diabetics, stevia is the perfect alternative sugar for diabetes and is also highly recommended for people following a ketogenic diet. Stevia can withstand high temperatures unlike raw honey, you can consume it both hot and cold.
Dates
Iron, manganese, magnesium, potassium, copper, and vitamin B6 are all found in dates. Also, this natural sweetener is simply digested and help in the body's metabolization of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Dates can help in lowering blood levels of bad cholesterol and can lower the risk of stroke, according to the findings of numerous research that have been conducted. Dates can be eaten on their own or turned into a paste or jam to be combined with other meals. A date jam is also easy to make.
Maple Syrup
Four simple processes are all that is needed to make maple syrup: making holes into a maple tree, installing a bucket to collect the sap, boiling the sap to evaporate the water, and filtering the syrup. Maple syrup contains a lot of manganese, as well as calcium, potassium, and zinc, maple syrup, which is native to North America and is one of the greatest natural sugar substitutes. This natural sweetener's richness of antioxidants helps in eliminating free radicals and minimizing oxidative damage. Maple syrup may be used it in almost any dish, whether as an ingredient blend, a topping for waffles, or as a layering sauce for baking.
Are you looking for low sugar snacks that use natural sweeteners? You can find many healthy snacks that are safe for diabetics at Tasty Snack Asia. Get your sugar substitute and diabetic-friendly snacks delivered to you in a snack box today!