Natural and Healthy Sweetener Alternatives
The negative effects of refined sugar on health have become increasingly known. Fortunately, it's now easier to satisfy your sweet tooth thanks to sugar alternatives that are both healthy and delicious. While natural sweeteners provide energy without tiring the body, they are also rich in vitamins and minerals. Here are the most popular natural sweeteners you can use in your healthy lifestyle:
1. Date
Dates work wonders in dessert recipes as a natural sweetener. While its high fiber content supports digestion; It supports the body with minerals such as potassium, magnesium and iron. You can use date puree in recipes such as smoothies, cakes or energy balls.
Have you tried our Hazelnut Butter with Chocolate&Date, sweetened with date extract?
2. Honey
Honey is an important alternative to refined sugar in terms of both taste and benefits. It supports immunity with its antibacterial and antioxidant properties. However, make sure that the honey is natural and unadulterated.
Our Crunchy Peanut Butter with Honey, in which we use honey as an alternative healthy sweetener, is sweet, healthy and very delicious.
3. Apple Juice Concentrate
Apple juice concentrate is another natural sweetener that can be used instead of refined sugar. It adds moisture to the dough, especially in cake and bread recipes, and satisfies your sweet tooth.
At Ladin, we prefer to use apple juice concentrate in all our granolas to enhance the flavor.
4. Maltitol
Maltitol is a sugar alcohol frequently used among natural sweetener alternatives. It does not cause sudden increases in blood sugar, so it can be preferred as a diabetes-friendly sweetener.
Maltitol is a refined sugar alternative that is also used extensively in chocolates without added sugar.
5. Coconut Sugar
Coconut sugar has a low glycemic index and does not cause sudden fluctuations in blood sugar levels. You can use it directly as a sugar substitute in recipes such as cakes and cookies.
7. Molasses
Grape, mulberry or carob molasses can naturally satisfy your sweet tooth. With its high iron and calcium content, it can be easily used in various recipes from breakfast to desserts.
8. Agave Syrup
This sweetener, derived from the agave plant, adds more flavor with less amount, thanks to its intense sweetness. You can easily use it in tea, coffee and desserts.
9. Stevia
Stevia, a calorie-free herbal sweetener, is a popular alternative in tea, coffee and desserts. Since it is many times sweeter than sugar, it is sufficient to use it in small amounts.
10. Banana Puree
The puree obtained by mashing ripe bananas is a healthy alternative that you can use instead of sugar in recipes such as cakes, cookies and smoothies. The natural sweetness of bananas adds extra flavor to your recipes.
Which Alternative Should You Try?
If you haven't tried one of these alternatives before, you can start your recipes with common options like dates, honey, and apple juice concentrate.