• Food and Gastronomy -> Healthy eating and nutrition

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What are some healthy alternatives to sugar in our diets?

Cornelia Smidmor

Hmm, well there are a few things that can be good alternatives to straight-up sugar in our diets. Personally, I've been trying to reduce my sugar intake lately (emphasis on "trying" lol) so I've done a bit of research on this.

One option that I've been using quite a bit is honey. It's a natural sweetener, and it also has some other benefits like being anti-inflammatory and having antioxidants. Plus, it can add a nice depth of flavor to things like oatmeal or tea.

Another option is maple syrup. This one's a little less versatile than honey in my opinion, but it works well in recipes where you really want that maple flavor to shine through (pancakes, anyone?). Plus, it has some minerals like zinc and manganese that can be good for you.

Stevia is another sweetener that you might have heard of. It's made from the leaves of the stevia plant, and while it's technically a processed sweetener, it's still a good alternative to sugar. It's a lot sweeter than sugar, though, so you only need a small amount to get the same level of sweetness.

Fruit is also a good way to add natural sweetness to things. Dates, for example, can be blended up into a paste and used in baking recipes instead of sugar. Bananas are another good option, especially if they're really ripe - they can add a lot of sweetness to smoothies or baked goods.

One thing to keep in mind, though, is that just because something is a "healthier" alternative to sugar doesn't mean you should go overboard with it. Honey and maple syrup, for example, still have a lot of calories and should be used in moderation. And while fruit is definitely good for you, too much of it can also be a bad thing (since it's high in natural sugars).

So there you have it - some options for sweetening up your food without using straight sugar. I'm still working on cutting down my own sugar intake, but these alternatives have definitely helped me satisfy my sweet tooth without going overboard.