As you probably already know, refined sugar is bad for your health. And while there is a wide range of sugar-free sweetener alternatives, not all of them are good for you. Many people tend to turn to artificial sweeteners when they are counting their calories, limiting their carbs intake or dealing with diabetes. My favorite healthier option? Natural sugar substitutes. They are 100 % natural and free of any controversial ingredients, such as aspartame. Below are some of the best natural sugar substitutes that I suggest you try.
Stevia
Stevia is one of the most popular natural sweeteners. In Asia, it has been used for centuries by people with diabetes. One of the greatest things about Stevia is that it does not affect blood sugar levels, which makes it a great natural sugar alternative for people with diabetes. Plus, it is also calorie-free. You can use Stevia in your coffee and tea or sprinkle it over cereal, fruit or yogurt. You can also use it to substitute sugar in baking.
Nowadays, you can find stevia sweetener tablets, powders, and drops. Thanks to their tiny packages, stevia sweetener tablets and drops can easily fit in your purse or pocket, allowing you to enjoy your cup of tea or coffee wherever you go. Stevia powders make the perfect sugar substitute for your recipes. When shopping for stevia you will come across a variety of different brands – make sure to read product reviews and check star ratings to ensure you are buying from a reputable one.
Xylitol
Xylitol is a natural sugar found in foods such as corn, berries and beets. Its taste is very similar to sugar, but it has much lower calories per teaspoon (about 9) as well as a lower glycemic index. Xylitol is known to have benefits for your dental health, which can help reduce the risk of cavities and dental decay. It has also shown to improve bone density, helping prevent osteoporosis. Although xylitol doesn’t raise blood sugar or insulin levels, if consumed in high doses it may have digestive side effects.
Erythritol
This is another natural low-calorie sweetener. It contains 0.24 calories per gram, which is about 6% of the calories in the same amount of sugar. Like stevia and xylitol, erythritol does not spike blood sugar or insulin levels and has no effect on cholesterol or triglycerides. Although it is safe to use, consuming too much of it may also cause some digestive issues.