Best Sugar Substitutes
For people with diabetes and those planning to lose weight, desserts with cane sugar or corn syrup are a strict no. But what if you get the sweetness back into your food without the ill effects of refined sugar that not only pile on your calories but also have a direct impact on your blood sugar? Natural sweeteners are the right choice for you. We have listed out the best natural sweeteners that you can regularly use to feel fitter.
1. Kokos Natural Tropikoko Organic Coconut Sugar
This organic coconut sugar is extracted from the sweet sap of cut flower buds of coconut trees. It is wholesome and can be used as a direct substitute for refined white sugar or brown sugar in your beverages, desserts, shakes, and other sweet food items.
It contains amino acids and 15 essential vitamins and minerals, like calcium, phosphorus, zinc, and B8. As it has a shallow glycemic index, it is suitable for people with diabetes.
The coconut sugar has no added preservatives and flavors and is entirely natural. It has a shelf life of 12 months.
2. The Vedik Shop Natural Coconut Sugar
The vedik shop’s natural coconut sugar is unrefined and vegan. It can be used as a 1 to 1 ratio in replacing regular sugar. This coconut sugar is low on the glycemic index, which does not raise blood sugar.
It has a mild caramel flavour that makes your dish taste amazing. It is unrefined and can be used in baking and cooking. It has a natural sweetness that tastes amazing.
3. So Sweet Erythritol Natural Sweetener
This is a healthy sugar substitute to fulfil all your sweet cravings. It contains almost no calories but is 70% sweet as table sugar.
Erythritol is made from 100% natural sweetener: a corn orb. The glycemic index is zero, making it safe to consume for people with diabetes and those watching their weight.
It has a very similar taste to table sugar, and the two are almost indistinguishable, even though this natural sweetener has 95% less calories. It also has a soothing and cooling effect in the mouth after consumption.
Erythritol has excellent heat stability, meaning it does not decompose or discolour even at temperatures as high as 160 degree Celsius.
4. Zevic Erythritol Natural Sweetener
This erythritol sweetener is 100% natural. It is completely water-soluble and has no calories or carbs. The erythritol is extracted from fruits. It also contains stevia, a natural sweetener.
The product has no added flavors, chemicals, or additives. It has a zero glycemic index, so safe for people with diabetes. The product has 2 years of shelf life and should be stored in a cool, dry place.
5. Magicleaf Stevia
This sugar-free powder is made from stevia leaves with 99.9% REB-A purity. So it is 100% natural and contains no GMO and no chemicals. It is organically extracted and has no traces of glycerin, sucralose, aspartame, lactose, sorbitol, or maltitol.
The powder contains anti-inflammatory properties, anti-oxidants, anti-microbial properties, and anti-viral properties. It has zero fat and zero calories. As it is chemical-free and has so many benefits, it is safe for children, the elderly, pregnant women, and diabetes people.
The best part is that the powder has no licorice-like aftertaste so it can be used to make any Indian sweet dish, or cakes, muffins, tarts, shakes, and many more sweet dishes.
6. Early Foods Dry Dates Powder
This fine powder is made from 100% dried dates, a concocted recipe by a mother who wanted a healthier sweetener option for her kids. It is rich in iron and naturally rich in fiber, calcium, and phosphorus that is good for your bone health.
There are no preservatives, artificial flavours or colors in the product. It is also free from refined sugar, added salt, thickeners, maltodextrin, and artificial sweeteners as it is a plant-based product and contains no milk, so it is vegan friendly.
The product contains no gluten, therefore, safe for people with gluten intolerance. The product should be stored in an airtight container after being opened to ensure its quality is retained through its 6-month shelf life. You can make any savory or sweet dish with this powder.
Note that this is not ideal for kids below six months.
7. Zindagi Stevia Dry Leaves
These 100 pure stevia dry leaves can be crushed and added to your beverages and food to add that hint of sweetness. They contain no calories, no glucose, and no carbohydrates and have a shallow glycemic index. Hence this alternative to sugar is ideal for people with diabetes and obesity.
It is safe for daily use and is processed hygienically following good manufacturing practices certified by GMP. It is safe for your children, as well.
The product has a shelf life of 24 months and comes in a plastic bottle, for hassle-free storage.
Buying Guide
Stevia
Stevia is a natural sugar substitute, extracted from a particular South American plant. While stevia is natural while extracting the sweetness from it, ethanol is used as a solvent, thus adding chemicals to the otherwise natural product. Natural stevia has a licorice aftertaste, which many may not like, so manufacturers often add other elements such as glycerine, maltodextrin, dextrose, erythritol, and cellulose.
The manufacturing process of stevia has to be natural and certified. Other sweeteners contain stevia extract but do not follow a natural extraction process like SweetLeaf, Truvia, and Pure Via.
One way to check whether it is pure stevia is to read everything on the cover, especially the ingredients list. There is another tip you can follow; if the price of stevia (which is usually a little pricey) seems rather pocket friendly, then the chances are that you are not buying pure stevia. Be extra careful and read all the information before adding to your cart.
Leaves Versus Extract
Stevia is extracted from a plant called stevia rebaudiana. Now the entire leaf is not sweet, only some components in it are, but in South America, the whole dried leaves are traditionally used to sweeten beverages.
However, the US FDA only marked the rebaudioside A and stevioside components of stevia as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe). Whole leaf stevia is yet to gain US-FDA approval and, for now, is sold as a dietary supplement only.
So if you are buying stevia dried leaves, ensure that it says whether it is only rebaudioside A and/or stevioside containing.
Calorie
Natural sugar alternatives may include honey or coconut sugar or pure stevia. While stevia is usually zero-calorie, coconut sugar and honey, and even date sugar are not calorie-free. They have a low glycemic index compared with refined cane sugar, but that does not mean they have no calories.
