Refined Sugar Substitutes For Recipes

Refined sugars add unnecessary calories to the body that are converted to fat reserves stored around the body as flab, and contribute to teeth decay.

Sugar has also recently been linked to heart disease in a study published on JAMA Internal Medicine found that the majority of adults in the United States eat more sugar than is recommended and a significant relationship between sugar consumption and increased risk for heart disease mortality exists. Therefore, it is necessary to find healthy sugar substitutes to use while preparing your meals.

Some of the most recommended sugar substitutes include:

Apple sauce

It is said that an apple a day can keep the doctor away; therefore substituting no sugar added apple sauce with sugar in your baked goods will ensure your enjoy your treat without consuming extra calories.

Dates & Figs

Both add flavor, dimension and tons of nutrition as a sugar substitute to a many recipes. Baked goods such as cakes, muffins, even hearty breads will soon become a staple in your breakfast, lunch or dinner regimen using figs and dates as a substitute for sugar.

Lemon

Squeezing half a lemon in a pitcher of water will enable someone to drink the recommended amount of water. Besides the tangy taste of lemon in oatmeal will allow one to enjoy it without the need for unhealthy sugars.

Raisins

These can be eaten on their own as a treat for your sweet tooth; they are full of fiber and antioxidants. They can be blended or just added into your batter when baking for a delicious treat.

Cranberries

If you love cranberries this is the sugar alternative for you. They’re tart and sweet at the same time. Enjoy delicious multigrain pancakes, scones or muffins loaded with cranberries instead of sugar. Cranberries, too, are loaded with antioxidants, so give your taste buds a treat and remember cranberries aren’t just for the holidays.

Pureed banana

Very ripe bananas are very sweet and can be pureed to be added to milk shakes or in baked goods. A bowl of oatmeal with added ripe bananas is full of fiber beneficial for digestive health.

Apricot Puree

Apricots contains vitamin C and iron; they are sweet to the palate making them ideal for a delicious spread on your baked items.

Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice

This is full of vitamin c that boosts your immune system. You can have it first thing in the morning to improve your mood and give you a shot of quick energy to face your busy day and use it in recipes to substitute white sugar.

Honey

Full of antioxidants, minerals and vitamins. It can be applied on whole meal bread or added to oatmeal to satisfy the craving for sweets first thing in the morning. Honey comes in different flavors depending on the type of flowers in that locality.

100% Pure Maple Syrup

Full of antioxidants; it can be drizzled on your waffles or pancakes to satisfy that sweet craving when it occurs. It can be added to a glass of cold non-fat milk to quench thirst on a hot afternoon.

Sucanat

This is obtained from natural cane juice that has vitamins, minerals and other important nutrients; it can be added into your beverages and baked items to cater a sweet tooth.

Cinnamon

This is a must have sweet spice in your home as it can be added into your tea or baked goods. It has a delicious aroma that will increase your appetite without adding extra calories to your meals.

Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

Cocoa is full of antioxidants and has a delicious flavor when added to a glass of milk. It can be combined with vanilla for a delicious treat that does not require refined sugar and used in baking recipes in leiu of processed chocolate.

Molasses

Made from a combination of sugarcane, beetroot and grapes. It has a delicious aroma full of vitamin c, iron and calcium for healthy baked items. Try drizzling it on your fruit salad to tantalize your palate.