The DeLish Bite

After my last blog on berries and sugar, I got to thinking: Is sugar really as devastating to our health as it is made out to be? So, I did a little research, and discovered that that sugar really does have a bad reputation. It's been linked to several health problems including attention deficit disorder, tooth decay, premature aging, headaches, insomnia, mood swings and disorders, eczema, diabetes, hyperglycemia, heart disease, certain cancers and Alzheimer's. The list appears to be endless. But once I dug a little deeper I found some very helpful information on healthy alternatives to sugar. Most these are pretty accessible at health food stores across Canada. And can easily be incorporated into a healthy diet where moderation and balance are the key elements -- which in my opinion is what a healthy diet should be based on. Healthy alternatives to sugar:

Date syrup or date sugar is made from dates. It has great nutritional value as it boasts all the vitamins, minerals and fiber of the date fruit. It is great for baking and it reduces the sugar highs and lows as it is metabolized in your body slower.

Agave nectar or syrup is a natural juice extracted from the agave plant (the plant tequila is derived from). It has been found to be approximately 40 times sweeter than sugar.

Xylitol is a widely approved sweetener made from corn stalks. It does not lead to sugar intolerance and therefore is a good choice for diabetics. It has an added bonus of offering protection against cavities and tooth decay.

Stevia is a South American plant that contains natural sweeteners. It is up to 30 times sweeter than sugar. It has been used for thousands of years with no known adverse affects. Stevia has been found to actually help stabilize blood sugar levels.

Single blossom honey, red clover honey, or orange blossom honey are all lower glycemic choices than regular honey and other sugars. The lower glycemic value helps negate the surge effect on insulin levels.

All of the above have been shown to have a lesser effect on blood sugar fluctuations than regular sugars (brown sugar, granulated sugar, regular honey etc.). The resulting health benefit is that you avoid the energy highs and sudden crashes that you experience following regular sugar consumption. Therefore your energy and insulin levels remain more consistent throughout the day. Next up: How do artificial sweeteners stack up against natural sugars?