How sweet it is … sugar substitutes
We’ve all experienced going to the cupboard only to find it bereft of sugar, usually when you’ve got an intense craving for something sweet and delicious. Never fear! We’ve got you. This list of sugar substitutes is full of sweet alternatives, some of which are even better for you!
Coconut Sugar – Derived from the sap of the coconut palm coconut sugar is almost identical to cane sugar in terms of nutrients and calories. It’s great used in baking and to add some sweetness to hot drinks. It can be used in a 1 to 1 ratio exactly as your would use regular sugar.
Maple Syrup – Native to Canada, maple syrup is made by boiling the sap of a maple tree. It’s perfect on top of granola, pancakes (and bacon), and is an excellent way to sweeten a multitude of foods. You can use it in baking as a substitute for sugar, substitute ¾ cup of maple syrup for 1 cup of sugar.
Honey – Tasty, natural, and incredibly sweet, honey is a great replacement if you love sugar in your tea. Add honey to your baking, breakfast, or anything that requires a little extra sweetness. Want to add some sticky sweet goodness to your stir fry to balance out the acids in your soy, fish, oyster, or tamarind sauces? Add a little honey. Yum!
Stevia – Stevia is derived from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant which is part of the chrysanthemum family native to Paraguay. Stevia is a natural sweetener that’s approximately 300 times sweeter than sugar. Stevia is a zero-calorie sweetener with a slightly bitter aftertaste. Stevia divides opinions, with some unable to stand the bitter aftertaste that’s been likened to menthol, chemicals, or cough syrup. Stevia is a popular no-sugar sweetener for soft drinks and because it generally doesn’t raise the level of blood sugar, it’s a good sugar substitute for those with diabetes.
Dates – Baking something that requires some sweetness or just want to add a little extra something to your smoothie? Dates are a delicious and healthy option. Chop or add pitted dates straight into your smoothies, cakes, and cookies or blitz them up to make a thick paste, which can be used as a 1-to-1 replacement for refined sugar.
So there you have it, some great substitutes for sugar that can be used to sweeten up your life when you’ve run out of sugar in the pantry.
