Which Recipes Work Best With Honey
Some recipes are better suited to honey than others. White sugar is an essential ingredient for bakes that require a light structure, colour and flavour. You need to be realistic about changes to the texture and flavour when baking with honey. A delicate Victorian sponge cake, for example, would be altered beyond recognition. Honey is better suited to bakes that would normally use brown sugar, since they share similar properties. It is more rewarding to stick to recipes that produce naturally dense, sticky, moist or strongly flavoured results. If you need to replicate depth of flavour, then you can supplement honey with a couple of tablespoons of maple syrup .
Recipes that use honey:
An Overview Of 12 Sugar Alternatives
Anyone looking for a natural substitute for sugar is spoiled for choice. Besides native alternatives such as honey or pear syrup and well-known products like maple syrup, todays supermarket shelves also display exotic-sounding concoctions like agave syrup, coconut sugar or xylitol. Sugar alternatives differ not only in terms of their origin, but also in terms of their sweetness and effect on our health.
What Makes Sugar So Addicting
Sugar, and its many derivatives, actually trigger the release of opioids and dopamine in the body – the neurotransmitters that trigger the reward circuit, andaddiction. Regardless of the trigger, the chemical reward we experience is the high that feeling of euphoria that were so naturally inclined to want more of. The addictive quality of sugar compared to prescription drugs has been the cause of much debate, however, the easily accessible sugar fix impacts our biochemistry in much the same ways. Like amphetamines and alcohol, too much added sugar can actually change the wiring in the brain and lead to withdrawal symptoms, cravings, and binging.
So why does sugar cause so much harm? To start, refined sugars , sugar alcohols, and sugar substitutes were absent from the human diet for much of human history meaning we have not evolved to tolerate sugar in the amounts that many Americans are consuming today. While there are many biological commonalities between sweetened diets and drugs of abuse, the addictive nature of sugar was largely unknown, which is why one study aimed to find out just how troublesome this substance may be
You May Like: Can Diabetics Eat Banana
What Are The Problems With Eating Too Much Sugar
Blood sugar imbalances caused by excess sugar intake can manifest in different ways.There are the obvious ones that take time to develop like insulin resistance, diabetes, and obesity.Then there are the less obvious silent symptoms that often go overlooked or attributed to something else.These silent symptoms do more damage than you may realize. Fluctuating mood swings, volatile energy levels, and unexplained inflammatory responses are more than just an annoying part of life.These are usually just the first signals we receive as a cry for help.Just like a “check engine” light on your vehicle, these indicators could be a warning signal that larger health concerns are looming on the horizon if left ignored.More obvious symptoms might be headaches, fatigue, and uncontrollable food cravings that impact us in different ways, most notably the quality of day-to-day life.Several other chronic conditions that can be triggered by high sugar intake are as follows:- Low Immunity- Weight Gain- Heart Disease- High Blood Pressure- Irregular Insulin Levels
Tips For Reducing Sugar In Your Diet
Follow these steps to help reduce sugar in your diet on a daily basis:
- Choose to drink water, calorie-free beverages, or low-fat milk instead of sugary sodas and drinks.
- Choose whole fruits instead of processed desserts and fruit juices. When you do drink fruit juice, make sure its 100% juice with no added sugar.
- Add fruit to cereal instead of buying sweetened cereal or adding table sugar.
- Use sugar-free preserves or fresh fruit to sweeten plain yogurt instead of eating sweetened yogurt with fruit in it.
- Choose lower-calorie, sugar-free hot chocolate drinks instead of candy.
- Snack on vegetables, fruit, low-fat cheese, or whole-wheat crackers.
- Choose unsweetened products, such as unsweetened applesauce, nut milks, or nut butters.
- Add flavors like vanilla, spices, or citrus to flavor foods and drinks.
Assisted living communities prioritize residents wellness, fitness, and nutritional needs. If youre concerned about your aging parents diet and nutrition, talk to one of our experienced Senior Living Advisors for help understanding affordable senior housing options in your area.
Read Also: Sugar Tablets Side Effects
What Are The Health Benefits Of Cutting Out Sugar
What else went away immediately upon eliminating sugar from my diet?
Arthritis! It started in my 30s. Id wake up with my fingers bent and crooked. I couldnt straighten them, and they were painful to touch.
Although I had this symptom for over a year before giving up sugar, it was completely gone, never to return, upon eliminating sugar.
There were other issues that resolved as well, including candida overgrowth.
Other reported benefits include:
- increased energy
- better mood, clarity and focus
- reversal of all kinds of inflammation issues
- improved weight management
Learn more details here about why white sugar is bad for you.
And use the Exact Conversion Chart of Sugar to Honey to begin making changes when you bake!
How To Replace Sugar With Sweetener
Baking recipes tend to use medium and high amounts of sugar, which people suffering from diabetes can’t use. So, is that to say they cannot make and eat these delicious desserts? Of course they can! You just need to know the equivalence of sugar and sweetener so you can replace it. If you are diabetic or if you would simply prefer to exchange an item for another to follow a healthier diet, this OneHowTo article explains how to replace sugar with sweetener.
While both sugar and sweetener sweeten foods in the same way, but sweetener is sweeter than sugar, so we have to use less. This is the first rule you must learn to replace sugar for sweetener. So if the recipe you’re making tells you that you need 200g of sugar, you cannot put the same amount of sweetener because it will come out way too sweet.
There are a multitude of artificial sweeteners on the market, including aspartame, cyclamate and saccharin, but only the latter is used for baking and can withstand high temperatures. Similarly, they are sold in powder, liquid or pills.
Equivalence between sugar and powdered sweetener
Equivalence between sugar and sweetener tablets
The tablets contain more concentratedamount of sweetener than the other types. Thus, the formula for calculating the number of pills is the same as above but, in this case, multiply the result by 2. Following the same example, 250g of sugar divided by 10 and multiplied by 2 would give us 50 pills.
Recommended Reading: How To Reduce Sugar Level Immediately
When To See A Doctor
Health experts have debated for years the use of sugar substitutes. Some would say that sugar substitutes are still controversial. However, the scientific community and FDA agree that theyre safe to use, especially in moderation. If you have concerns, you should talk to your doctor about how or when to include sugar substitutes as part of a healthy diet.
Healthier Alternatives To White Sugar
If after reading this you are thinking of trying one of these sweeteners in your next recipe, all of them can be purchased via and online shops such as EVitamins, FairPrice, or Cold Storage.
Not all of the white sugar substitutes are for everyone since they have different properties and flavours. They might also yield slightly different taste and textures as compared to using regular white sugar.
But, dont be afraid of experimenting with them and see which ones you like best! In the end, thats the fun part of cooking and baking, isnt it?
The recipes you see on Bakestarters were developed using regular white and brown sugars, but you can also make them with the above white sugar substitutes.
Here are some recipes to try out:
Read Also: How To Come Sugar Disease
Using Stevia In Beverages
The most obvious use for stevia is for sweetening coffee and tea, especially with the convenience of single serve packets. In many countries, over 50% of the adult population drinks either coffee or tea daily. The majority of people add a sweetener, milk or cream, or both, resulting in an average daily caloric increase of 69 calories.1 Over the course of a day, many heavy coffee and tea drinkers use their entire recommended daily allotment of no more than 5-10% of total calories from added sugars .2 This is especially true for those who frequent coffees shops where blended coffee drinks can contain more than 25 teaspoons of added sugar.
Stevia presents an attractive alternative for replacing sugar in both coffee and tea. It has a sugar-like taste, and easily dissolves into both hot and cold beverages. Stevia is also a great addition to smoothies, refreshing non-alcoholic beverages and alcoholic cocktails.
Here are some beverage recipes you may want to try:
- This black and white spiced coffee tastes like its from your favorite gourmet coffee shop without all the sugar
- Here is a low sugar version of a fantastic strawberry banana breakfast smoothie
Replacing Functionality When Reducing Sugar
Bakers interested in making clean label reduced-sugar baked foods need to replace not only the sweetness but the functionality that sugar brings to foods.
Chicory root fiber brings a slightly sweet and neutral taste, dietary fiber and functionality, said Brigitte Peters, technical sales support, Sensus America.
Its a bulk ingredient and can replace sugar one-to-one without affecting the volume of the product. It works quite the same as sugar. One of the concerns might be that it gives some coloring, more than sugar, she said. However, adjustments in the baking process can cover this.
Chicory fibers work well with natural and high intensity sweeteners, said Kyle Krause, product manager, functional fibers and carbohydrates, North America, Beneo.
The companys chicory root fibers inulin and oligofructose are all natural, non-GMO and deliver on digestive health and other benefits as associated with being a prebiotic. As soluble fibers, theyre easily used in many applications, he added.
Allulose is 70% as sweet as sugar but provides 90% fewer calories, provides functionality and is very similar to regular sugar in chemical terms, Dr. Yin said.
It is a rare sugar that occurs naturally in wheat and dried fruits like jackfruit, figs and raisins, and does not contain sugar alcohols, said Sarah Diedrich, marketing director, sweetening solutions and fibers, ADM.
Other products can provide functionality with sugar-reduced baked foods.
You May Like: High Blood Sugar What To Do
Sugar Substitutes: 11 Natural And Healthy Sugar Substitutes
From sweeteners to naturally sweet ingredients, weve rounded up the best healthy sugar substitutes out there.
All of these healthy sugar alternatives can easily replace a teaspoon of white sugar in your tea, sprinkling on your porridge, or heap in your favourite cake. Each sugar substitute included is ideal for those on a sugar-free diet.
Recent research has shown that most adults and children in the UK eat too much sugar. Its acceptable to have a sweet treat every now but youd be surprised by the amount of hidden sugar in everyday foods. According to the NHS, adults should have no more than 30g of sugar a day. The daily sugar allowance for children is different and varies from age group. For example, a 7-10-year-old should have no more than 24g and a 4-6-year-old should have no more than 19g.
Nutrition expert and founder of Lean Greens, Tim Goodwin says Arguably sugar, in its modern, heavily processed form found within many foods, is one of the most addictive substances on the planet. But often we make the mistake of trying to make unhealthy foods slightly less unhealthy with sugar substitutes. This doesnt create the big changes we often need.
Applesauce And Other Fruit Pures
Replacing sugar with applesauce or purées of other fruits like bananas is an excellent way to reduce your refined sugar intake. Consider this swap in recipes for cakes, cookies, muffins, and breads.
All fruits offer health benefits due to their nutrients. For example, mashed bananas are high in folate, manganese, magnesium, and vitamins B6 and C .
Unlike refined sugar, fruit is generally linked to a variety of health benefits, including a reduced risk of chronic disease and a lower risk of death from all causes .
If you buy applesauce or other fruit purées from the store, be sure to select unsweetened products with no added sugar.
Recommended Reading: Banana Bad For Diabetes
What Sugar Substitutes/artificial Sweeteners Are Approved By The Fda
The following sugar substitutes are FDA approved as food additives in the United States:
- Acesulfame K
- Advantame
- Saccharin (brand names: Sweet N Low® and Sugar Twin®
- Sucralose
According to the FDA, some sugar substitutes are generally recognized as safe . This means they dont require FDA approval because qualified experts agree the scientific evidence shows these products are safe for use in foods and drinks. Sugar substitutes in this category include highly purified stevia extracts called steviol glycosides and monk fruit extracts .
Sugar alcohols are another class of sweeteners that can be used as sugar substitutes. Examples include mannitol, sorbitol, and xylitol. The FDA has determined that sugar alcohols are generally recognized as safe for use in foods and drinks.
Aspartame
Aspartame is a common low-calorie sugar substitute. Its a combination of 2 amino acids: aspartic acid and phenylalanine. Its about 200 times sweeter than sugar. It can be found in thousands of processed foods and drinks. Products that contain aspartame include yogurt, frozen desserts, pudding, dry dessert mixes, chewing gum, and soft drinks.
Its used as a tabletop sweetener. It also can be found in some medicines and vitamins. Aspartame shouldnt be used as a substitute for sugar when youre baking. It loses its sweet taste when its heated.
Is aspartame safe?
Acesulfame K
Is acesulfame K safe?
Saccharin
Is saccharin safe?
Health Garden Monk Fruit Sweetener
- GREAT FOR COOKING AND BAKING: Enjoy Health Gardens Golden Monk Fruit Sweetener! Made with erythritol and monk fruit extract, monk fruit sweetener browns like sugar and is ideal for use in cooking and baking! Easily metabolized by the digestive system, monk fruit sweetener is a great choice when large amounts of sweetener are required.
- ZERO GLYCEMIC RESPONSE: Monk fruit sweetener is safe for diabetics and can help manage blood sugar levels.
- 100% ALL NATURAL: Monk fruit sweetener is delicious, gluten-free and kosher with no harmful additives, artificial chemicals or genetically modified ingredients.
- MONK FRUIT SWEETENER CONVERSION RATE: 1 teaspoon monk fruit sweetener = 1 teaspoon sugar.
- SATISFACTION GUARANTEED: We believe in our product and we think you will too! Contact us with any questions and well be glad to help.
Recommended Reading: Sugar Tablet Before Or After Food
Questions For Your Doctor
- Is one sugar substitute better for my health than another?
- Is it better to use real sugar in moderation than to use a sugar substitute?
- Is sugar-free eating better for my overall health?
- Can sugar substitutes make me fat?
- Im pregnant. Are sugar substitutes safe for me?
- I have diabetes. Which sugar substitutes should I avoid?
Pear Syrup The Native Sugar Substitute
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Dosage in comparison to sugar: 100 g sugar = 200 ml pear syrup
- Taste: fruity
- Use: to sweeten pastries, Birchermuesli, fruit salad, compote and drinks
This sugar substitute is not only natural, but also native to this country. The pears mostly come from Swiss cultivated pear trees. The trees are planted in meadow orchards, which provide a valuable habitat for animals and plants. Pear syrup tastes good at breakfast in muesli and porridge, as a spread, or with French toast. However, it is only half as sweet as sugar.
Read Also: Sugar In Low Blood Pressure
Sukrin Gold 11 Lb All Natural Brown Sugar Substitute
- The Original Gold Sweetener Enjoy the aroma, sweetness, flavor, and texture of brown sugar with zero calories per serving.
- All-Natural Made of erythritol, stevia, malt extract, and tagatose.
- Diabetic Friendly Less than 1 GI and no effect on blood sugar.
- Measures Just Like Sugar Substitute regular or brown sugar 1:1.
- Guilt-Free Cooking and Baking Retains delicious flavor at high temps and even caramelizes like brown sugar without the cooling after-taste.
How To Pick The Right Granulated Sugar Substitute
White granulated sugar is a highly-refined sugar thats made from sugar cane, sugar beets, or a combination of the two. While mostly thought of as a sweetener, it also contributes to recipes in other ways. It leavens baked goods makes foods moist helps with browning and improves texture. In some recipes it even serves as a preservative. So, substituting granulated sugar isnt as straightforward as replacing one sweetener for another. To get good results, you may need to tweak other ingredients in your recipe, or adjust the bake time and temperature. The following substitutions take all of that into account, so you dont have to.
Warning: If youre trying to replace the granulated sugar in a canning recipe, its best to start with a recipe thats been written and tested to work with that particular sweetener. Altering canning recipes can have dangerous results.
Recommended Reading: How To Reduce Diabetes Instantly
Foods That Can Fight Sugar Cravings
Sugar cravings are extremely common, especially among women.
In fact, up to 97% of women and 68% of men report experiencing some sort of food craving, including cravings for sugar .
Those experiencing a sugar craving feel a strong urge to eat something sweet and can find it difficult to control themselves around food.
This can lead to binge eating or over-consuming calories, sometimes on a regular basis (
Luckily, there are things you can do to take the edge off.
Here are 19 foods that can help you fight your sugar cravings.
1 ).
However, swapping out the junk food for some fruit when you feel like something sugary could give you the sweet hit you need and stop your craving in its tracks.
Fruit is naturally sweet but also contains lots of beneficial plant compounds and fiber, allowing you to have your fix and keep it healthy .
To make sure it hits the spot, eat fruits that are slightly higher in sugar like mangoes or grapes.
If youre also hungry, try adding some yogurt to your fruit to make it a more satisfying snack.
Summary Fruit contains sugar, along with lots of healthy nutrients and plant compounds.