Did you know that as we age, our digestive system cannot process sugar as well as it used to during our heydays? This is why the consumption of sugar is such an important topic among more mature adults. Excessive sugar intake can lead to detrimental health issues like higher blood pressure, cognitive impairment, diabetes, fatty liver disease, and a higher risk of heart attack, stroke, and dementia. Thus, we must ensure that our loved ones follow a low-sugar healthy diet. Fortunately, there are many natural sugar alternatives to incorporate into your family member’s diet. Here are 5 of the most healthy sugar alternatives for your loved ones!
Stevia
Stevia is a type of novel sweetener made from the leaves of stevia plants. Not only is this sugar alternative much sweeter than sugar, but it is also low in calories. This means that stevia allows you to achieve the same level of sweetness that your loved one craves with lower amounts of sugar and calorie. Another benefit? Stevia is also known to decrease insulin levels and blood pressure. So, if your family members live with diabetes, obesity or want to reduce their sugar intake, you should encourage them to eat stevia instead of sugar!
One other advantage of stevia is the flexibility of choice. It comes in tablet, powder, or liquid form, hence allowing you to suit it according to your loved ones’ preferences. For instance, you can stir the powder stevia in their morning coffee or ask them to pop a stevia pill after their meal.
Apple Sauce
Did you know that a single cup of unsweetened apple sauce has only 100 calories? Did you also know that it is full of fiber, vitamins, and minerals? With such rich nutrients and an appetizingly sweet taste, this healthy sugar alternative is the perfect substitute for sugar in the baking world. Apple sauce’s ability to keep cookies or muffins beautifully moist is also why it is used popularly in baking. So, the next time you and your family decide to bake a birthday cake, switch out the white sugar for an equal amount of unsweetened applesauce for a delicious and healthier cake!
Monk Fruit Extracts
If you are looking for a natural sugar alternative with 0 calories and has a sweeter taste than sugar, then Monk fruit extract is the best choice. In fact, it is almost 100 to 250 times sweeter than regular sugar! If that is not surprising enough, perhaps its unique antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties can convince you that it is the perfect sugar substitute. Hence, monk fruit extract is one of the best natural and healthier alternatives for your loved ones, especially if they have diabetes.
Honey
Raw honey is another natural sweetener rich in minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. Additionally, it has anti-inflammatory properties, is anti-microbial, and is beneficial for one’s heart. All these special benefits, coupled with its easy accessibility, and flexibility makes raw honey one of the most popular sugar alternative.
However, you should still limit the amount of honey your family members consume, as it contains considerable amounts of calories. Nonetheless, it is a better alternative than sugar as it does not raise blood sugar levels as quickly and has significantly more health benefits.
