January 14, 2019
We all love a sweet treat here and there… heck life’s too short to not tickle those tastebuds occasionally, but it’s important to remember that excessive sugar consumption is a huge problem in our society, and can lead to a number of health problems if eaten in too high amounts (including; obesity, diabetes, depression and many more). The biggest thing that I have learnt on my own holistic health journey, is that refined sugars are not only found in our favourite treats, like chocolates and cakes, but also in some foods that even the most sugar-conscious amongst us would consider to be healthy… or certainly not unhealthy in moderation.
When reading a food label to determine the amount of sugar in a product, most people simply look for the word ‘sugar’, however, there are many other ingredients that are also sugar disguised under a different name, including, but not limited to;
- High fructose corn syrup
- Corn sweetener
- Corn syrup
- Dextrose
- Fructose
- Fruit juice concentrate
- Lactose
- Maltose
- Malt syrup
- Raw sugar
- Sucrose
- Glucose
- Cane sugar
- Evaporated cane juice
- And more…
The more of these terms that are listed on an ingredients list, the more sugar is actually in the product.
Top Tip: Although all sugars – even those that are unrefined – should be eaten in moderation for a balanced diet, there are a variety of natural sweeteners that we can use in our cooking, that will curb those sweet-tooth cravings without the risk of all the negative side effects that come with consuming refined sugars.
Try these 5 alternatives, in place of refined sugar (and still in moderation, combined with a well-balanced diet) for a healthier way to satisfy your sweet tooth:
5 Healthier Sugar Alternatives
- Coconut sugar
- Stevia
- Honey
- Medjool dates
- Maple syrup
