5 Healthier Sugar Alternatives

LEAVE YOUR SUGAR BEHIND
Refined sugar is considered as addictive as a drug and potentially as detrimental to your health. Yet, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the average American consumes anywhere between 150 to 170 pounds of refined sugars in one year! It is clear that collectively we have a serious habit to kick.  Sure, there are plenty of sugar-free sweeteners on the market, but those chemically created artificial sweeteners are more toxic than refined sugar. Ending your sugar addiction doesn't mean that you have to stop enjoying a hint of sweetness – just that you find healthier alternatives. Below are five all-natural options. Quitting sugar is the fastest way to weight loss, and a longterm solution.
	Agave Syrup This honey-like sweetener is made from the sap found in the core of the agave plant. It's sweeter than table sugar, so you can use less to get the same results, while at the same time boosting your recommended daily allowance of vitamins and minerals: It has trace amounts of calcium, iron, potassium and magnesium. Agave nectar also has a lower glycemic index than table sugar, so it won't cause a spike in blood sugar levels.
	Raw Organic Local Honey There is so much to buzz about! Honey contains trace amounts of niacin, riboflavin, thiamin, vitamin B6, free-radical fighting antioxidants and, some studies show, may help to alleviate seasonal allergies. If you're trying to lose weight, there's good news for you; honey's low glycemic index helps keep sugar levels in check – and it's 50% sweeter than refined sugar, so you'll be satisfied with less.
	Pure Maple Syrup Most people only think about using maple syrup when enjoying pancakes. But this morning staple can also be used as a sugar substitute in baking. Research shows that maple syrup also has some health benefits including promoting cardiovascular health and boosting the immune system.
	Molasses During the refining of sugar cane and sugar beets, the juice squeezed from these plants is boiled to a syrupy mixture from which sugar crystals are extracted. The remaining brownish-black liquid is molasses. Molasses is a popular sweetener in baking and can also be used as a syrup on pancakes and waffles. Its health benefits include a high iron content, as well as vitamin B6, magnesium, calcium, and more antioxidants than any other natural sweetener.
	Stevia Stevia is the powdered extract of the plant, Stevia Rebaudiana, an herb indigenous to Paraguay and Brazil. While this zero-calorie sugar substitute tastes just like table sugar, it won't cause a spike in blood sugar levels. When using stevia, consumers should note that it is 200-400 times sweeter than sugar and use far less when baking or stirring into coffee or tea. Health benefits include phytochemical compounds that help control blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure.  ~Thanks to Martha D'Adamo