White sugar increases the risk of developing various health problems, it interferes with the normal activity of insulin, it raises blood sugar levels and so on. Eating this food and any other foods that are high in white sugar may even aggravate existing health issues of consumers. The most effective way to keep blood sugar levels down is to avoid processed sugars, as well as to consuming a small amount of proteins at every meal. Naini Setalvad, a renowned nutritionist, suggested six better and healthier substitutes that we may use instead of white sugar.
People often crave sweets because the body is unbalanced. The problem is, eating white sugar will not solve this imbalance. Listed below are healthier and tastier substitutes for white sugar.
Here’s the list:
1. Honey
Honey is a better alternative to white sugar because it is alkaline in nature. This means that it doesn’t produce gas or acidity. Instead, it helps to strengthen the heart and prevents the onset of fever, cough and colds. People who have high blood pressure should take honey for remedy, since acetylcholine found in honey helps increase the blood flow to the heart, thereby lowering blood pressure. Honey can be added to drinks or used as a sweetener in desserts.
2. Molasses
Although white sugar comes from cane or beet sugar, the refining process removes a lot of the original useful nutrients. Molasses is the substance remaining after sugar extraction from plants and it has vitamins B and C, as well as various organic salts and minerals such as iron, calcium and manganese. Natural molasses can be used as a refreshing drink, even without adding lemon, ginger or other ingredients for flavor.
3. Dried fruits
The most popular dried fruits include raisins, prunes, dates and figs. Dates are an excellent source of iron, vitamin B, potassium and fiber. Raisins can be used to sweeten food. Figs are excellent for those who have digestive problems. They can be used to fight asthma, coughs and colds. Prunes are rich in fiber, and can help people have a healthy digestive system. If someone has a strong craving for sugar, dried fruits are an excellent choice compared to refined white sugar.
4. Fresh fruit
Instead of consuming foods rich in white sugar, eat fruits like apples, oranges, mangoes, melons and papaya. The sugar they contain is not as concentrated as white sugar. These fruits are full of nutrients, without any unwanted fat.
5. Stevia
Stevia is a South American herb that regulates blood pressure. It is also very good at reducing stomach acidity and bloating. It is the only sweetener recommended for diabetics.