If you’re searching for a sweetener that’s better for you than table sugar, you’re in the right place. This complete guide of healthy sugar alternatives will help you eliminate processed sugars from your diet and begin living a healthier lifestyle. Keep scrolling to learn more about our favorite natural sweeteners and how we use them.
Honey
If you’re a fan of sweet treats, then you’re not alone. In fact, humans are genetically wired to enjoy sweet food, which may explain why honey has remained popular for so long. A sweetener that dates back to around 2,100 BC, raw honey is loaded with nutrients and has been used in therapeutic practices for centuries.
Raw honey contains antioxidants, probiotics and trace vitamins and minerals, all of which are essential for a healthy diet. Consuming local honey has also been shown to help increase your immunity to local allergens. All of these fantastic benefits make honey one of the best natural sweeteners on the shelves today! Add it to your favorite smoothie or use it to sweeten up your morning cup of joe. No matter how you use honey, it’s sure to sweeten up your day.
When heading to the grocery store to purchase your honey, it’s important to read all food labels. Often commercial honey brands mix high fructose corn syrups into their products. When buying honey, you’ll want to make sure that it’s raw, contains only one Ingredient (honey!), and, if possible, local.
Having a hard time finding quality honey? Try visiting your local farmers market for raw and delicious homemade honey!
Honey Tahini No Bake Cookies
Cookies are a favorite dessert of many. They’re easy to make, taste delicious and can be eaten on the go. When thinking about warm, out of the oven cookies, processed sugars and unhealthy additives might not be the first thing that comes to mind. However, the truth is that some of our favorite cookie recipes are filled with unhealthy, processed sugars that can harm our health. For a cookie recipe that you don’t have to feel guilty about enjoying, try out these naturally sweetened Honey Tahini No Bake Cookies. Made with whole grain oats and flavored with honey, they’re a sweet treat that you can indulge in regularly. These cookies are a great recipe to invite the kids to help with, as they’re incredibly easy to make!
Fresh/Frozen Fruit
The most healthy and natural way to sweeten your food and beverages is by using fresh or frozen fruit. Fruit is a nutritious food that doesn’t have any empty calories. This means that as you sweeten your meal, you’ll also be adding a boost of nutrition that your body and taste buds will enjoy.
Depending on your taste preferences, a variety of fruits can be used to amp up the sweetness of a dish. Here are a few of our favorites:
- Bananas
- Mango
- Strawberries
- Berries
- Oranges
- Watermelon
Using fruit as a sugar alternative is an excellent way to cut down in added sugars and sweeteners. Plus, by using more natural ingredients to curb your sugar cravings, you’ll begin to develop healthy habits, and your body may start to prefer fruit over candy!
Classic Overnight Oats
Looking for a creative way to use fruit to sweeten a healthy meal? Try adding your favorite fruits to one of our Gluten Free Classic Oatmeal Cups. If you’re a fan of oatmeal, then you will love these on-the-go cups. A tasty combination of wholesome gluten free quick cooking rolled oats, old fashioned rolled oats, stone ground Scottish Oatmeal, whole flaxseeds and chia seeds, they’re the perfect meal to start your day with. Mix in your favorite fruit or freshly made fruit juice and viola! You have a naturally sweetened breakfast that you can feel good about.
Stevia
Each time you head to a restaurant, the options for sweeteners grow. Yellow, pink, blue and white packets of artificial sweeteners sit on the table and choosing the correct one may feel like a daunting task. Luckily, all-natural sugars have begun to rise in popularity and can be seen sharing the same space as the artificial sweeteners. Stevia is one of the most popular natural sugars around, and for good reason: it’s a great alternative to table sugar!
Originally native to Paraguay and Brazil, Stevia is used as a non-nutritive sweetener and herbal supplement. Containing little to no calories, it’s a healthier sugar alternative when sweetening meals and beverages.
It’s important to note that Stevia is nearly 200 times sweeter than regular table sugar. This means that you don’t have to use as much of it to achieve the same delicious taste in your morning cup of coffee. Stevia also has a slightly bitter aftertaste that may not be appealing to some individuals. When first beginning to use Stevia, we recommend starting in small amounts and working your way from there.
Chocolate Protein Chia Pudding
For a gratifying Stevia sweetened recipe, make this Chocolate Protein Chia Pudding. Gluten free, high fiber, lactose free, soy free and vegan, this healthy snack can be made in minutes or prepared the night before for a quick morning bite. Made with organic chia seed, almond milk, unsweetened cocoa powder, Stevia and our Hemp Protein Powder, it’s a nutrient-rich dish that can accommodate nearly any diet.
Coconut Sugar
Often regarded as a healthier alternative to refined sugar, Organic Coconut Sugar is made from the boiled sap of the coconut palm tree and not the coconut itself. It’s low fructose content, and the low glycemic index has caught the attention of health enthusiasts worldwide. Plus, it also contains trace amounts of minerals and antioxidants, offering more health benefits than white sugar.
Unlike most sugars, coconut sugar is sold in raw form and is not refined or chemically altered. This being, it contains no artificial ingredients or fillers. With a look and taste similar to brown sugar, it can be used in a wide array of recipes. Add it to a delicious smoothie for a boost of sweet tropical flavor or use it in your favorite baked goods recipe. Because the structure is roughly the same, coconut sugar can be swapped for granulated sugar in several recipes.
Coconut Sugar Coffee Cake
Do you have a sweet tooth that is hard to satisfy? If that’s the case, then we have just the trick for you. Instead of giving in and reaching for the first sugar-filled treat you see, try and opt for something more natural. This Coconut Sugar Coffee Cake is the perfect example of a naturally sweetened treat that tastes just as great as the traditional version! Sweetened with coconut sugar and natural shredded coconut, this cake is completely free of processed sugars and artificial ingredients. Serve it up at your next family gathering, or make a fresh batch to keep around the house when you feel a sugar craving coming on.
Agave
Similar to honey, agave is a natural sugar alternative that is most commonly produced in syrup forms. The agave sap is produced by the Leaves of blue agave, a succulent plant native to Mexico. Agave’s thin and light consistency makes it the perfect sweetener to use in place of processed syrups. Agave can be used to sweeten coffee, smoothies and baked goods or atop of a large stack of pancakes! Aside from its sweet taste, agave nectar may provide certain health benefits and is worth trying out.
Blueberry Chia Jam
A sweet and simple jam recipe, this Blueberry Chia Jam is an easy-to-make alternative to high-sugar store-bought jams. Made with just four natural ingredients, this jam combines the already sweet flavor of blueberries with agave nectar to create a tasty spread that you can enjoy on just about anything. Choose to spread this jam on your morning bagel, use it to make a peanut butter jelly sandwich, or swirl it into a big bowl of oats for a fruity boost of flavor. Low in sugar and high in omega-3 fatty acids, this recipe is more of a health food than it is a dessert.
Blackstrap Molasses
Blackstrap Molasses, a.k.a the secret ingredient in baked beans, is a kitchen staple that you don’t want to miss out on. Though blackstrap molasses is praised for its unique flavor, it also makes for an excellent natural sweetener. Rich in antioxidants, and full of health benefits blackstrap molasses is used in countless recipes to boost the flavor profile and sweetness of a dish.
Extracted during the first stage of boiling, it is the thickest of all varieties and holds the highest concentration. This high concentration also means it has the most vitamins and minerals and is the healthiest type of molasses. Its bittersweet taste offers an agreeable flavor that can be used in both sweet and savory recipes.
For a salty-sweet dessert, we recommend making these Gingerbread Caramel Cream Cheese Cookie Cups. Filled with smooth “caramel” cream cheese and naturally sweetened with blackstrap molasses, they’re the ideal, bite-sized treat to bring to your next gathering.
Sweet treats don’t have to be laden with sugar and guilt. Use this list of healthy alternatives to sugar to transform your favorite desserts into healthier versions. From thick syrups like agave to granulated sugar alternatives like Stevia, there’s sure to be a sweetener on this list to fulfill all of your baking needs!
