Natural Sweeteners - Top 5 Sugar Alternatives

Agave Nectar

Agave nectar is a sweet syrup that comes from the agave plant. It looks like a cactus, but is actually more like the aloe vera plant. To make the nectar, the pina, or core of the agave is heated at a fairly low temperature. Agave nectar has a taste that is similar to a very smooth honey. You can purchase light or dark agave nectar. The darker variety is less processed, but also has a stronger taste. Some people think the taste of dark agave syrup is close to that of maple syrup. Raw agave nectar is the healthiest variety. Agave nectar has a low glycemic index, and may be a good choice for people with diabetes. It won’t cause those spikes and rapid dips in blood sugar that sugar can cause. Agave nectar is not a calorie free food, however, but since agave nectar is around 40% sweeter than sugar, you may be able to use less, therefore saving calories. Choose organic raw agave nectar if possible.

Stevia

Stevia comes from the stevia herb. Stevia extract is 300 times as sweet as sugar. It comes in a powdered form packaged like artificial sweeteners, but Stevia is an all natural product. It cannot be sold as a sweetener in the United States, so you will find it labeled as a supplement. It is very low in calories, and makes a much healthier choice for sugar alternatives than many of the artificial sweeteners on the market.

Evaporated Cane Juice

Evaporated cane juice is simply a less processed form of sugar. You won’t save any calories by choosing organic evaporated cane juice, but you will get a few more nutrients. Evaporated cane juice is healthier, and lacks a lot of the chemical processing of white sugar. It looks like sugar, only the color is more of a beige, since it’s not bleached. If you’re into eating a healthier, all natural diet, this version of sugar could be for you.

Maple Syrup

You may not have thought a lot about using 100% maple syrup as a natural sweetener, but it works great on a lot more than pancakes. Maple syrup has been used as a sweetener for hundreds of years. Native Americans first processed the sap from sugar maples trees to make rich, sweet maple syrup. Pure, 100% organic maple syrup is one of the yummiest natural sweeteners around, perfect for baking, cooking, and as a topping for ice cream, waffles, pancakes, and french toast.

Fructose

Fructose is simply the sugar found in fruits and vegetables. It is sweeter than any other natural sweeteners, so it could be a healthier alternative to sugar. Fructose can be used to replace sucrose, or table sugar, in any food or drink. Fructose is not the same as high fructose corn syrup. Fructose is sometime recommended for diabetics, since it has a low glycemic index. It doesn’t cause those blood sugar spikes that sucrose does. Twice as sweet as sugar, you can use half the amount to sweeten foods and drinks, which is also a plus for diabetics, and anyone who is watching their sugar intake.