HEALTHY SUGAR ALTERNATIVES
All resources listed below are from information I have searched for and found to be beneficial to my quest in living healthy and feeling good in that process.
My desire is to share with you this information to help assist your process with living your life to the fullest.
Keep your blood sugar low
Stevia
- does not affect blood sugar levels; make sure to buy a pure stevia (green powder = unprocessed and no fillers), 200-300x sweeter than sugar (pay for the good stuff because you use so much less at a time!). If you can't do the pure green powder, alcohol free liquid stevia is a great way to ease into using this sweetener (and eventually get you to the pure, unprocessed stuff!)
http://wholenewmom.com/kitchen-tips/stevia-what-it-is-and-how-to-use-it/
Where to buy:
Another Stevia alternative that I personally love and is my all time favorite go-to is LUV Sweetener. It’s a chicory root and stevia blend that you can use in baking, ice cream, chocolates and more. It tastes more like sugar than stevia, so if you aren’t a big fan of the stevia taste, try this option!!! Seriously, it’s the best replacement.
If you want to geek out about the science of sweeteners, check out this link:
http://luvicecream.com/sweeteners/
Lo han guo
- does not affect blood sugar levels; 200-300x sweeter than sugar. (Use similar ratios to stevia)
http://www.sugar-and-sweetener-guide.com/luo-han-guo.html
Where to buy:
Yacon Syrup
- does not affect blood sugar levels; better not cooked
http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/yacon-healthy-syrup-or-modern-hype/
Where to buy:
other unrefined Alternatives
Raw Local Honey
- does raise blood sugar levels, but has medicinal benefits
http://leafandgrain.com/benefits-of-local-honey/
Where to buy:
Local Food Coops
Whole Foods (if you can't buy local, at least buy raw)
Coconut Sugar
- does raise blood sugar levels; good for baking
http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/coconut-sugar-a-healthy-and-sustainable-sweetener/
Where to buy:
Local Food Co-ops
Maple syrup
- does raise blood sugar levels, but an unrefined natural sweetener (make sure to buy the right kind! - look for pure maple syrup and make sure its the only ingredient, not to mention organic to avoid chemicals)
https://draxe.com/maple-syrup-nutrition/
Where to buy:
Local Food Coops
Whole Foods
conversions
How to Substitute Sweeteners
http://wholenewmom.com/whole-new-budget/baking-with-honey-sugar-for-baking/
Exact Conversion Chart: Sugar -> Honey when Baking
http://eatbeautiful.net/2015/05/24/exact-conversion-chart-sugar-honey-when-baking/
Stevia Conversion: Sugar -> Stevia
http://www.stevia.net/conversion.html
*If you've never used stevia or have a hard time getting used to it, try combining alternative sweeteners (ie - stevia and honey). Gradually reduce the other sweetener until you're just using stevia; if that's your goal that is! Also, if the stevia taste is difficult to swallow, a good bit of lemon can mask its taste (makes a killer lemonade!).