4 Healthy alternatives to white sugar

White or refined sugar is often called a source of “empty calories” because it provides sweetness and energy but very little nutritional value.  Our body mainly needs glucose for energy which can naturally come from fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

Eating too much refined sugar can quickly raise blood sugar levels and may increase the risk of weight gain diabetes and heart related problems.

If you want to reduce your intake of white sugar, here are four natural alternatives:

Honey

Honey is a natural sweetener that contains antioxidants and may have anti-inflammatory properties. It can be used in drinks desserts and other foods in moderation.

Jaggery

Jaggery is a less processed sweetener that contains small amounts of minerals including iron. It can be used as an alternative to refined sugar although it still contains sugar and calories.

Dates

Dates provide natural sweetness along with fiber and other nutrients. Their fiber content may help slow the release of sugar compared with eating refined sugar alone.

Stevia

Stevia is a plant based sweetener that contains very few or no calories. It can provide sweetness without adding the same amount of sugar as regular table sugar. While these options may be better choices than refined sugar in some situations they should still be consumed in moderation