Eating healthy does a body good. Mentally, physically, and spiritually. For those of us who feel a little down, tired, and anxious around food that may be making us feel like we’re not ourselves, it’s important to figure out where the cause is coming from. A lot of the time, it’s sugar. Chemicals, high amounts of fructose, and more can have a bad effect on the way our bodies function. It can disrupt many processes that are going on in our systems right now. Replacing these can provide a bit more energy, a happier mood, and result in you having less anxiety. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite healthy sugar alternatives. Keep reading for more.
7 Healthy Alternatives You Can Replace Sugar with Right Now
1) Honey
Honey is oh so good for you! Raw honey is the best type to get, as it is unpasteurized and has a low glycemic index. Forms of honey that are not raw may be watered down or dowsed with corn syrup. Honey has healthy enzymes, antioxidants, iron, and zinc.
2) Maple Syrup
You can really use maple syrup to sweeten anything. According to YogiApproved.com, go for the rich, dark grade B maple syrup because of its extra high doses of free-radical-fighting-antioxidants like zinc and potassium.
3) Agave Nectar
Tequila, mezcal, and sweet, sweet sweetner. Agave has a low glycemic index and is a far healthier option for diabetics.
4) Stevia
Stevia is zero-calorie and super concentrated, so you can have way less and it will feel like a lot more. It comes in packets, liquid drops, and blends you can bake with. It is important to note, however, according to YogiApproved.com, that research on stevia is new and the jury is still out. Some say it disrupts beneficial gut bacteria and that is natural lactose isn’t for everybody.
5) Coconut Sugar
Coconut sugar has a much lower glycemic index than sugar. It comes from the sap that blooms on a coconut, by way of extraction. It has the same amount of fructose as white sugar, so it’s important to not consume it frequently. It does, however, have many naturally-occurring minerals and antioxidants.
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6) Dates
Dates are called nature’s candy. The date fruit is super sweet, delicious, and can be used in anything from smoothies to cookies. It adds an unbelievable amount of flavor to food and it’s got half of the glycemic index as white sugar.
7) Monk Fruit Extract
Monk fruit can be up to 250 times sweeter-tasting than sugar, but have way, way less of an impact on our health in a negative way. It is zero-calorie but still rich in antioxidants. Research is still new on this alternative, but it is natural and super sweet to taste.