Here are a dozen healthy “sweeteners” that you may want to try as replacements for unhealthy processed sugar and high-calorie artificial sweeteners. These are just a handful of the healthy sources of sweet ingredients that Laura has identified. After reading through this list, there’s more!
1. Agave Nectar
History lesson time: The Aztecs used agave thousands of years ago and praised this syrup as a gift from gods. A derivative of the same plant as tequila (cheers!), this golden sweetener tastes similar to honey and is perfect in hot or iced tea. But be sure to use in moderation—agave’s high fructose content can sometimes cross it in to the dangerfood zone!
2. Maple Syrup
The benefits of maple syrup are aplenty: It comes directly from a plant’s sap and contains over 50 antioxidants. Make sure to grab the real stuff (sorry, Aunt Jemima) and spread it over waffles or use it in homemade granola.
3. Lemon
Fans of gin can skip the extra sugar in a Tom Collins and add an extra lemon squeeze—we promise no one will notice.
4. Honey
Thanks to bees, this scrumptious stuff packs an antioxidant punch. Enjoy some in hot tea to help soothe a scratchy throat, or get creative and add a spoonful to homemade salad dressing.
Learn about more healthy “sweeteners” on the next page …
Real honey IS healthy. Most stores sell High Fructose Corn Syrup labeled as honey, which is not honey at all. Maple syrup, if pure, is not harmful, either. Coconut sugar and stevia are the safest.
Agave syrup is as highly processed as HFCS and contains a higher level of fructose. Honey and maple syrup are both very tasty sugar syrups.