Dear Sweet Tooth:
As people start to eat more whole foods and less processed ingredients, their taste buds become more sensitive to the taste of sweet. Quality and usage are the factors you should take into consideration when choosing a natural sweetener. Below are some natural sweetening agents that I like to have in my kitchen as an alternative to sugar. The amount indicated is equivalent to 1 cup of sugar, and the third column details when it is best to use it:
Honey: 1/2 - 2/3 cup; all-purpose
Maple Syrup: 1/2 - 3/4 cup; baking, desserts, sauces
Maple Sugar: 1/2 - 1/3 cup; baking, candies
Barley Malt Syrup: 1 - 1 1/4 cups; breads and baking
Brown Rice Syrup: 1- 1 1/3 cups; baking, cakes, sauces
Date Sugar: 2/3 cup; breads, baking, candies
Agave Nectar: 1/2 cup; all-purpose
Stevia: *See manufacturer’s label for quantity and usage, as they vary.
Any of these can be found in your natural food store, and most can now also be found in the organic section of your local grocery store. Having a few different natural sweeteners in your kitchen will let you choose which one is best for your purpose. For instance, I love to have agave nectar for my tea because it tastes great and dissolves easily. Brown rice syrup goes into my favorite cookie & baking recipes. Stevia (also marketed now as Truvia) is always in my purse for an on-the-go sweetener. The green packets are a great alternative to the commonly used blue, yellow, or pink packets that restaurants & coffee shops use, and it doesn’t have the aftertaste of the others.
Remember to have fun while you experiment! There are many cereals, snack foods, milks, and sauces that use natural sweeteners in place of sugar. Keep trying different sugar alternatives until you find ones you like and then spread the love. Share your newfound favorites with friends and family. Though some folks might not be ready to detox from sugar, the ones who’ve been thinking about it will be grateful for your suggestions.
- Cammi
“Ask Cammi” is The Vigilant Monkey's advice column designed to provide effective self-help and alternative health advice to readers, as well as easy ways to fit healthy habits into your busy life. Feel free to ask Cammi your questions about nutrition, stress, weight loss, meditation, motivation, diet, anxiety, emotions, exercise, fitness, relationships, or any other self-improvement goal at HarmonyHealth12@aol.com.
Cammi L. Clara, LCSW, HHC, CPFT, CPC, CRP is a Columbia University graduate, a New York State-licensed clinical social worker, a member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers, a graduate of The Institute for Integrative Nutrition, a Hofstra University-certified personal fitness trainer, a certified professional coach, and a certified Reiki practitioner. She is also certified in treating eating disorders and is an experienced workshop leader and lecturer. Through her private practice, Harmony Health Counseling , Cammi continues to inspire people to fall in love with healthy eating, juicy living, and guilt-free self care.
Originally posted on the VM Blog.