Healthful Sugar Substitutes

Want a healthier way of sweetening your coffee, baked goods or teas?

Here are two natural substitutes:

Stevia:   It's a South American herb that has been used as a sweetener by the Guarani Indians of Paraguay for hundreds of years. The leaves of this small, green Stevia rebaudiana plant have a delicious and refreshing taste that can be 30 times sweeter than sugar. However, it is good for you because the body does not metabolize the sweet glycosides from the stevia leaf or any of its processed forms - so there is no caloric intake. Stevia doesn't adversely affect blood glucose levels and may be used freely by diabetics. Stevia can be found at Whole Food Markets as well as any all natural food store.

 

The Second all natural sweetener is Agave Nectar Sugar:

It's most often produced from the Blue Agaves that thrive in the volcanic soils of Southern Mexico. Agaves are large, spikey plants that resemble cactus similar to the familiar Aloe Vera. Agave is all natural and has all the useful properties of real sugars, except it's lower glycemic index helps protect against health risks associated with higher glycemic sweeteners. Agave Nectar Sugar is available at Whole Foods Market and health food stores. 

Agave can be used to replace to maple syrup, brown rice syrup, honey and corn syrup therefore making it a healthier choice. Agave syrup may cause baked items to brown more quickly, so reduce oven temperatures by 25°F is and increase baking time slightly for better results.